Copa America prep is formally underway as the US males’s nationwide staff prepares to face Colombia. With questions forward of the match surrounding the health of gamers, who the primary selection proper again shall be with out Sergino Dest, and even when the staff can compete towards nationwide sides of the caliber of Colombia and Brazil, it is an essential time for supervisor Gregg Berhalter to see what areas of enchancment are wanted forward of a match with excessive expectations. Berhalter acknowledged that he’ll put out a robust lineup towards each Colombia and Brazil with few modifications as there are eyes on competing towards Bolivia when the group stage begins.
“We’re searching for our performances to offer us info of the place we’re at. We all know we’re enjoying two prime South American groups and we’ll study lots each about our group and our opponents in these two video games,” Berhalter stated about what he is searching for beginning Saturday. “However for us, it is about how can we exit within the subject and have stage of efficiency? How can we exit on the sector and compete? After which get the whole group prepared and match for Copa America.”
Berhalter takes issues a step additional although when he speaks about Copa America. Whereas most view the match as an essential litmus check not just for if the USMNT can compete towards prime opposition but additionally for whether or not Berhalter is the coach who can lead this staff in 2026, he does not appear to really feel an analogous strain about these video games. In a sure sense, he should not present that there is strain as a result of that simply transfers strain to the staff, however determining the way to gauge the upcoming match is crucial. Whereas followers want to advance previous the spherical of 16, in some ways in which’s simpler stated than performed with out Dest, however Berhalter did have a number of issues to say about his views for the match.
“I feel that Copa America is crucial to the expansion of this group and I consider that this can be a crucial match for this staff. That is the final main match earlier than the World Cup. We’ll have Gold Cup however the caliber of groups doesn’t match Copa America When you consider the large 4 groups which can be on this factor in Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Colombia,” Berhalter stated. “We’re enjoying two of them pre-tournament, one in all them within the match and we are able to probably face them towards as we march all through the match, so this can be a huge match for us and it is a constructing block wherein to enter the World Cup assured. I feel this could construct an amazing quantity of momentum among the many group. It may well deliver confidence to the staff so you already know we’re treating this critically and we wish to put in good performances.”
He is proper that the USMNT shall be going through a few of the finest groups on the earth, however the half being unnoticed right here is how deflating a poor efficiency can get. If the staff cannot alter for lacking Dest, they’re going through groups that can make them pay for it. It is a good factor to try this now to know the place they stand forward of the Copa America, but additionally there is not a lot time to tinker with issues if plan A does not work this late within the recreation. proper again, Berhalter remained coy about what he plans to do.
“For the following two video games, we are going to strive completely different seems. We’ll give the pure proper backs a possibility in these video games after which we’ll maybe have a look at another choices for us,” Berhalter stated. “We have been capable of see thus far in camp with the performances of our proper backs, but additionally with different gamers and actually simply taking it recreation, opponent by opponent.”
When Dest cannot go, Joe Scally has often been his main backup, however that hasn’t boded properly, which might give Shaq Moore an opportunity at enjoying too. In 33 caps for the nationwide staff, the staff has a document of 18-8-7 when Dest begins with three of these losses coming with him at left again. With the USMNT selecting up 4 losses throughout Dest’s profession throughout non-January Camp matches that he did not seem in, his significance to the facet is sort of clear.
This factors towards needing to strive one thing new at proper again, but when that does not work it nonetheless leaves Berhalter looking for choices. The Bolivia match is approaching quickly as June 23 is true across the nook. The USMNT can have extra time to coach forward of then however setting proper again amongst different rotations now as a substitute of continuous to Copa with looming questions shall be crucial.
