The United States Soccer Federation has announced plans to conduct a thorough review following the disappointing performance of the U.S. men’s national soccer team at the Copa America tournament. Despite high hopes and home-field advantage, the team failed to advance past the group stage, finishing third in Group C.
Coach Gregg Berhalter will likely be at the center of the examination, as he has faced criticism from fans even before the tournament. The U.S. suffered a 1-0 defeat to Uruguay and a 2-1 loss to Panama, with their only win coming against Bolivia. Panama, ranked 43rd, finished second in the group, while Uruguay, ranked 14th, topped the group with three wins.
In a statement, U.S. Soccer expressed disappointment in the team’s performance and emphasized the need to improve ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Berhalter, when asked about his future with the team, affirmed his belief that he is the right person to lead the squad.
While the U.S. team has had success against Mexico in regional competitions under Berhalter, their performance in major tournaments has been lackluster. The coach took over in 2018 after the team failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup and guided them to the Round of 16 in the 2022 tournament.
Berhalter’s tenure has not been without controversy, as he was embroiled in a public dispute with player Gio Reyna’s family over allegations of past domestic abuse. Despite these challenges, midfielder Weston McKennie praised Berhalter for his leadership and the progress the team has made under his guidance.
Looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup, the U.S., Mexico, and Canada have already secured automatic berths as co-hosts and will not have to go through qualifying matches. The Copa America served as the team’s final major test before the tournament, and the focus will now be on learning from the recent setbacks and moving forward.
As the U.S. Soccer Federation conducts its review and evaluates the team’s performance, the players remain committed to supporting their coach and continuing to grow under his leadership. The road to the 2026 World Cup presents new opportunities for the team to regroup, improve, and showcase their potential on the international stage.
