The United States Men’s National Soccer Team recently faced disappointment at the Copa America tournament, failing to advance out of the group stage despite having a favorable draw and home-pitch advantage. This underwhelming performance has prompted the United States Soccer Federation to conduct a review of the team’s results, with much of the scrutiny likely to fall on head coach Gregg Berhalter.
The U.S. team suffered defeats to Panama and Uruguay, with their only victory coming against Bolivia in the tournament opener. The loss to Uruguay, in particular, highlighted the team’s shortcomings and raised questions about Berhalter’s leadership moving forward.
In a statement issued by U.S. Soccer, the federation acknowledged that the team’s performance fell short of expectations and emphasized the need for improvement as they look towards the 2026 World Cup, which the U.S. will co-host. Berhalter, when asked about his future with the team, expressed confidence in his ability to lead them into the next World Cup.
Despite dominating CONCACAF competition against traditional rival Mexico, Berhalter’s record in major tournaments has been less than stellar. Since taking over as head coach in 2018, Berhalter has faced criticism for the team’s performances in high-profile competitions.
The ongoing Copa America served as a final test for the U.S. team before the 2026 World Cup. With automatic berths secured for the co-hosts (United States, Mexico, and Canada), the focus now shifts to addressing the team’s shortcomings and building towards a successful campaign in 2026.
Midfielder Weston McKennie, in a statement to The Athletic, expressed support for Berhalter and praised the coach for his role in progressing the team over the years. Despite the recent setbacks, McKennie emphasized the importance of unity and moving forward as a team.
As the U.S. Soccer Federation conducts a comprehensive review of the team’s performance at Copa America, the future of the national team under Gregg Berhalter remains uncertain. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, the pressure is on for the U.S. team to make significant improvements and showcase their capabilities on the global stage.
