KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The U.S. men’s national team has developed a certain reputation over the last five-and-a-half years.
They're a predictable team.
Sure, there’s been a level of tactical predictability. But more than that, it’s become easy to predict the USMNT’s results. Since Gregg Berhalter took over in December of 2018, the United States have virtually always done what’s been expected of them. That’s been their thing.
They lost to Mexico in the 2019 Gold Cup final before the next generation really got up and running. They won the only three editions of the Concacaf Nations League that have ever existed, though the second victory came just before Berhalter was re-hired last summer. They qualified for the 2022 World Cup. They lost in the Round of 16 at that World Cup, dropping out at the hands of a talented Dutch team.
Now things have changed. After their early Copa America exit, the USMNT failed to do the expected for maybe the first time in the Berhalter era.
While a simple win over Bolivia earned the U.S. three points to start their tournament, a nightmare defeat to Panama saw things start to unravel for the hosts. Entering Monday night’s clash with Uruguay, the USMNT’s place in the knockout rounds was far from secure. After a 1-0 defeat at Arrowhead Stadium, the United States’ Copa America campaign came to an abrupt end.
What was supposed to be an excitement-filled run that included a matchup with a South American giant in the quarterfinals has now turned into a somber, unsatisfying summer. The USMNT's failure resulted in U.S. Soccer starting a “comprehensive review” of their performance at the tournament, according to a statement from sporting director Matt Crocker on Monday night.
That review should lead Crocker and others to two primary conclusions. First? The U.S. failed. Second? It's time to find a new manager.
