The Problem With The USMNT

"I see no issue with the direction we're heading. When you have a fight like that on the pitch in every single game we're in in this tournament, it speaks volumes to how the manager prepares us."

Photo Courtesy of U.S. Soccer

The United States Men’s National Team was knocked out of Copa America 2024 on Monday evening in extremely disappointing fashion. While Gregg Berhalter will receive the lion’s share of the blame — which is rightly deserved — this could be a much larger issue.

Let’s look at Matt Turner’s comments immediately after the loss.

"I see no issue with the direction we're heading. When you have a fight like that on the pitch in every single game we're in in this tournament, it speaks volumes to how the manager prepares us."

This is eating the steak in The Matrix. This is the completely wrong attitude to have after getting knocked out in the group stage.

I do not expect Turner to obliterate his coach in the media. In all honesty, I expect the opposite.

But claiming that the U.S. is moving in the right direction is the wrong attitude. It’s being happy with mediocrity and not striving for the next level. It is not enough to be fighting in every single game, the U.S. needs to be winning games against quality opponents.

If Turner had simply said there is work to do and the results need to be there, fans would be happy. I appreciate him accepting blame and focusing on the player’s being at fault but when a group of talented players are unable to perform, that seems to be a coaching problem.

There was also a moment before the controversial goal where Berhalter informed the U.S. that Bolivia had tied with Panama. Again this is the wrong attitude to have.

Berhalter and the players should be focused on getting a result. Relying on another team to do the work for you is a horrible mindset to have.

So the USMNT seems to have a mentality problem. The culture around the squad seems to promote simply staying in matches instead of looking to win. If this continues to be the mindset of the team, the U.S. will never grow in the national game.

Firing Berhalter may solve these issues but whoever is coaching the team needs to change the mentality surrounding the squad. Results like the group exit in Copa America 2024 can not be accepted any longer.