For the US men’s national team, the 2024 Copa America is a dry run ahead of the 2026 World Cup. This isn’t meant to diminish the importance of South America’s biggest and most prestigious international tournament, it’s just that this summer will be the USMNT’s final opportunity to play truly competitive matches before a World Cup on home soil.
The pressure is on everyone, but most of all Gregg Berhalter. Rehired as head coach after the 2022 World Cup in which the USA made the last 16, the 50-year-old has been entrusted with guiding the country’s most talented group of players into 2026 – and many doubt Berhalter’s credentials for the job.
A 5-1 defeat to Colombia did nothing to settle the American nerves ahead of the Copa America. The USA were comprehensibly outplayed and outfought by an opponent it should have been more competitive against. Three of the Colombian goals came as a direct consequence of American mistakes.
Against Brazil in the following warm-up match, the USA performed much better and secured a 1-1 to steady the ship somewhat. “We just asked two things of them,” Berhalter said after the game. “We asked for teamwork and intensity. The way that we framed it is two things that are totally in their control, right?
“Doesn’t matter about the opponent, doesn’t matter about the field or the fans or anything. Those are two things that they can control and that’s the type of effort that we saw. The boys certainly delivered on that and that was good… When I saw the guys in the locker room after the game, they were exhausted. They gave everything and that’s all you can ask for.”
Berhalter has long been scrutinised as USMNT head coach. Many argue he has failed to get the best out of a crop of players that has been labelled a golden generation. In Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams and Timothy Weah, the US has a group of difference-makers and some fans want to see more from them.
Initially, Berhalter spoke about his desire to turn the USMNT into a more possession-orientated team. He wanted to carry over much of what worked for him at the Columbus Crew. Over time, though, Berhalter has grown more pragmatic. This still hasn’t stopped the USA from being weak at breaking down low defensive blocks.
Drawn into a group with Uruguay, Bolivia and Panama, the USA is expected to make the knockout rounds of this summer’s Copa America. Uruguay has the potential to be one of the strongest teams in the whole tournament with Marcelo Bielsa making a profound impact since taking over last year. A second place finish might be the USMNT’s most realistic target.
This could put them on a collision course with Brazil in the quarter-finals, should the Selecao finish top of their group. Would a run to the quarter-finals be enough to suggest Berhalter has the USMNT on course for success at the 2026 World Cup? Would that appease supporters who have recently called for the 50-year-old to be fired?
Of course, firing Berhalter would then lead to the hiring of a new head coach and it’s difficult to see what options would be available to US Soccer. Jesse Marsch was interviewed for the job last year, but was recently appointed Canada’s new head coach. Jim Curtin has been mentioned as a potential USMNT head coach, but has only ever managed in Major League Soccer.
Jose Mourinho was linked with the USMNT head coach position last year, but was never really a feasible target. Besides, the Portuguese has just taken over at Fenerbahce. US Soccer reportedly also called Zinedine Zidane last year, but the conversation with the former Real Madrid boss was presumably a short one.
The best case scenario for the USMNT is that this summer makes clear the progress they are making under the current regime. Berhalter has a point to prove – and so too do his players. A Copa America on home soil could be what the USA needs to find top gear and accelerate towards the 2026 World Cup, when expectations will be even higher.
