In the friendly match against Colombia ahead of the Copa America, the USMNT was defeated 5-1. Not the ideal confidence booster for Gregg Berhalter’s side. Already, there was significant pressure on his boys considering that the US was hosting the Copa. The latest result has left the fans quite dismayed and there are questions about whether the side has what it takes. Now, Berhalter has given his thoughts on the alarming defeat.

In the post-match presser, Berhalter said, “Really disappointed, obviously, with the result. We’re not framing it as a lesson learned, we’re actually framing it as a wake-up call. “It seems the coach is not dwelling on false positives, considering there was hardly anything positive about the result. The biggest worry for the USMNT is how wasteful they were with their possession. Berhalter’s side actually had the lion’s share of possession (53%) but managed just 2 shots on target. On the other hand, their opponents tripled this tally.

Worryingly, Berhalter also had most of his key players available. The likes of Christian Pulisic and Giovanni Reyna played but to little effect. The goalscorer of the match was Timothy Weah. The next match for the USMNT is an even harder one against Brazil. That might be the game where Berhalter finalizes his starting XI and tactics for the Copa. Another sub-par performance could not only end their Copa America hopes but also put their future plans in peril.

A strong Copa America showing will help the USMNT build momentum for World Cup 2026

For Gregg Berhalter, the plan is simple. He recently said, “This is a big tournament for us and it’s a building block in which to go into the World Cup confident.” The USMNT coach believes that a good showing against some of the best sides in the world will bring a lot of momentum to the side. Considering that the next World Cup is in the US, a strong showing is imperative for Berhalter’s side as well. But the converse is also true. A poor tournament could put a significant dent in the team’s confidence.

On a personal note, the Copa America is quite significant for Gregg Berhalter, the coach. Having assumed the role in 2018, there are many who believe he is not the man to lead to USA in 2026. In fact, a former USMNT star had said, “Gregg Berhalter may be a good coach at a certain level. He’s not the coach for the US Men’s National team at this level, not the coach to lead the US Men’s National team to the World Cup in 2026.” 

As such, the upcoming Copa America is a do-or-die moment for the USMNT boss. Will he be able to put in a strong showing? Tell us below in the comments.