It’s Time To Move On: Gregg Berhalter's Reign As USMNT Manager Should Come To An End

The US Men's National Team's exit from the 2024 Copa America has again put head coach Gregg Berhalter in the hot seat. After a dismal 1-0 loss to Uruguay on Monday night, the USA was eliminated from the tournament without making it out of the group stage. This historic failure marks the first time a host nation has crashed out of the Copa America so early, leaving American soccer fans rightfully fuming and questioning Berhalter's leadership.

A Bad Copa America

Let's not sugar-coat it—this Copa America showing was an absolute disaster for the USMNT. Two of the three matches were against beatable opposition, yet the USMNT managed to score just three goals. A 2-0 win over lowly Bolivia papered over the cracks, but losses to Panama and Uruguay exposed the glaring issues plaguing this team under Berhalter's tutelage.

The most frustrating part is that this squad is bursting with talent. Christian Pulisic, Timothy Weah, Weston McKennie, and Tyler Adams are players starring for top European clubs. Yet when they put on the USA jersey, they look lost and incapable of playing cohesive, attacking soccer. The blame for that falls squarely on Berhalter's shoulders.

There Is A Pattern

This isn't a new problem either. Underwhelming performances in big tournaments have marked Berhalter's tenure. At the 2022 World Cup, the US squeaked out of their group before getting soundly beaten by the Netherlands in the Round of 16. They failed to qualify for the 2023 Gold Cup final on home soil. Now, this Copa America debacle. The pattern is clear - Berhalter simply cannot get the best out of this talented player pool when it matters most.

His tactical inflexibility and puzzling lineup choices continue to hamstring the team. Against Uruguay, with their tournament lives on the line, the US looked completely toothless in attack. They created virtually no clear-cut chances and seemed to have no coherent game plan. This is unacceptable for a team aspiring to compete with the world's best.

Berhalter defenders will point to his win percentage and claim the team is progressing. But let's look at the facts - under his leadership, the US has failed to notch a single win over a top 25 FIFA-ranked team outside of CONCACAF. For a coach who's been in charge for five years, that's a damning statistic.

There Is No Winning Mentality

The warning signs have been there for a while. The US needed a miracle to qualify for this Copa America, sneaking in via a playoff win over Trinidad & Tobago. They've struggled mightily against CONCACAF minnows like Panama, who have now beaten the US three times in their last four meetings. The vaunted "Golden Generation" of American soccer talent is being wasted.

Perhaps most concerning is Berhalter's inability to foster a winning mentality and culture within the squad. Multiple players are losing their cool and picking up needless red cards in big games. The latest example came against Panama when Tim Weah was sent off for a petulant punch to an opponent's head. This lack of discipline falls on the coach.

Look, Berhalter seems like a nice enough guy. But being likable doesn't win soccer games. The cold, hard truth is that he's in over his head at the international level. His simplistic tactics and poor in-game management have been exposed time and time again. With the 2026 World Cup on home soil rapidly approaching, the US Soccer Federation cannot afford to keep Berhalter at the helm and risk further embarrassment.

What Next?

So, where do we go from here? US Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker has promised a "comprehensive review" of the Copa America performance. That review should lead to only one conclusion—it's time for a change. The federation needs to swallow its pride, admit it made a mistake in rehiring Berhalter last year, and move on.

There are plenty of qualified candidates out there who could reinvigorate this team. Whether it's an experienced international coach or an up-and-coming tactical genius, the US needs a fresh voice and new ideas. The 2026 World Cup is a golden opportunity to showcase American soccer on the biggest stage. We can't squander it by sticking with a coach who's proven he's not up to the task.

Berhalter, for his part, remains defiant. When asked if he was still the right man for the job, he offered a simple "Yes." But his actions speak louder than words. This Copa America failure is the final nail in the coffin of his tenure. It's time for US Soccer to thank Berhalter for his service and move in a new direction.

The talent is there, and the potential is obvious. Now, it's time to find a coach who can unlock it and turn the USMNT into the powerhouse it should be. The 2026 World Cup is coming, whether we're ready or not. Let's make sure we have the right person leading the charge.

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