The United States, the host country of this Copa America, is experiencing an earthquake after being eliminated in the group stage and, two years away from organizing the World Cup, finds itself with a sporting project in no man’s land and with the future of coach Gregg Berhalter up in the air.
Even his enraged entourage is calling for big names. for the bench even Jurgen Klopp or Pep Guardiola.
The loss against Uruguay at Arrowhead in Kansas City certified the failure of the United States in a group that seemed accessible since, apart from the Uruguayan team, it competed with Panama and Bolivia.
But Berhalter’s team’s journey ended with just three points, earned in the debut against Bolivia, before falling 1-2 to Panama and 0-1 to Uruguay.
The United States, a country accustomed to dominating in almost all sports, was eagerly awaiting this Copa América, organised in exciting years for soccer, when the MLS managed to bring legends such as Leo Messi and Uruguayan Luis Suárez to the country.
There were more than 55 thousand spectators at Arrowhead to support Team USA, but beyond the protests over some bad decisions by the referee against Uruguay, Berhalter’s team failed to show its face.
The generation that was considered in the country to be a golden generation paid the price and, lacking play, ideas and character, was dismissed at the first opportunity.
He was showered with criticism on American television, including from former Team USA flag bearers Clint Dempsey and Alexi Lalas.
Gregg Berhalter acknowledged that the Copa América did not end with the desired result, but he considered that under his management the team has progressed defensively and in ball circulation and he answered forcefully when asked if he believes he is the right person to lead the group to the World Cup.
“Yes,” he answered firmly.
On the ‘FOX’ network, which owns the rights to the Copa América in the United States, Dempsey and Lalas expressed their doubts and asked for a change.
Klopp and Guardiola, the dreams of those around them
“Go big or go home” was once said on American television, where Klopp or Guardiola were even asked to take the reins of the team.
They were the result of frustration at seeing a team that, despite having many members competing in the major European leagues, is achieving less brilliant results than previous generations.
At the previous Copa America hosted by the United States in 2016, the US team reached the semi-finals. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, it lost in the round of 16, while in 2018 it failed to qualify.
Two key years are opening up for the United States, which will host the World Cup in 2026 alongside Canada and Mexico and is set to relaunch its sporting project, either with Berhalter or with a new coach in charge.
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