The US Men’s National Team once again bowed out of another tournament, this time ending with 1W-2L-0D in the Copa America Tournament, capped by a disappointing 1-0 loss to top tier squad Uruguay. It was, admitted a solid match, with the only goal coming from a questionable (some would say conspiratorial) non-offsides call seen here.
I’m not going to go one way or the other and get into something about if it’s offsides or not. That’s not what this is about. This is about the rest of the tournament, the team’s repeat inability to show success and their inability to showcase to the world that this team deserves to be respected. This is a country that by and large IS showcasing that it deserves to be respected on a worldwide stage. MLS is growing in popularity and while it’s (in my view) a Triple-A league to the world, it’s absolutely key to show that this is a country to be respected. And after ANOTHER disappointing tournament defeat, it’s time a change be made and Gregg Berhalter be relieved of his job. This is a country that needs to say to the world that it’s serious when it comes to the World Cup in 2026, and throwing Berhalter back out there as coach (he’s under contract through 2026) will continue to make the U.S. a non-threat, borderline laughing stock on the World Cup stage, which, as a reminder, we in the U.S. are hosting, much like Copa America.
So let’s pretend for a moment that Gregg Berhalter IS out of a job, who will replace him? My faith would be on the likes of Wilifred Nancy, the French coach who’s currently head coach of the reigning MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew. Personally, I bro-adore Nancy. In the times I’ve chatted with him on press conferences he has ALWAYS been respectful, knowledgeable and the kind of person you could share a drink with and discuss literally anything. Second to him would be LAFC’s Steve Cherundolo or perhaps Jim Curtin out of Philadelphia. Curtin is also a good guy, but his lacks the experience of getting a club to a title (not to mention recent struggles getting the Union in the win column) I’d take him as my pick for assistant coach. But all of this is moot and just dreaming as long as Berhalter keeps his job.
Frankly, I feel a similar vibe from Berhalter the way I do about Aaron Boone with the Yankees, a good corporate manager that works in line with the bosses and doesn’t upset the apple cart. Independent thinking managers/coaches are increasingly a thing of the past, which is part the reason I feel Berhalter stays despite the drama. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if Berhalter remains through the rest of his contract barring an off the pitch issue that becomes a PR nightmare USMNT has to handle. THAT I feel will be what will be required to finally make a change at the top.
What do you think? Does he stay or does he go now?
About the author – Scott Churchson has been an actor in every way for the past 14 years, from BG to stand in to stunts and principal, a sports writer for the past 4 and is one of the people that created Stream Punk Entertainment. He’s married to a veterinarian, has a cat with three working legs, a mother-in-law who just moved in and is just a simple man trying to make his way in the universe.