Getty Image / Hector Vivas
Mercifully, it appears the tenure of USMNT Manager Gregg Berhalter is likely to come to an end soon after a terrible showing from the team in 2024 Copa América. The USMNT failed to progress out of a group that included lesser opponents like Panama and Bolivia, as well as a strong Uruguay side.
American soccer fans have widely disliked Gregg Berhalter for quite some time, and they’ll probably see his firing as a huge positive. But, there will be a lasting image of his final match in charge that will haunt fans for a long time.
The USMNT ended up needing to win, but they could’ve gotten out of the group with a Panama draw against Bolivia and a USMNT draw against Uruguay would get them through to the quarterfinals. Midway through the second half, with the matches happening simultaneously, both matches became tied when Bolivia scored to equalize Panama at 1-1 and the USA and Uruguay were still scoreless.
So, what did Gregg Berhalter do? Right before a set piece in a dangerous location for Uruguay, he felt the need to inform the team of the score of the Bolivia-Panama match, presumably to play for a draw and hope an inferior Bolivia team could keep Panama off the scoresheet for the rest of the game.
USMNT fans and Gregg Berhalter appeared to realize Bolivia had leveled the score vs Panama and only seconds later Uruguay took the lead 💔 pic.twitter.com/Q1kkr2Gd6N
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 2, 2024
Seconds later, Uruguay scored a controversial goal that probably should’ve been ruled out for offside but was still a defensive breakdown for the USA.
This was somehow not ruled offside after review 🤔 pic.twitter.com/Oh2Xn9Z7bK
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 2, 2024
You’ve got to hand it to Gregg Berhalter. Why play for a win and control your destiny when you can play for a draw and hope the worst team in the entire tournament can keep a desperate team like Panama was in that situation off the scoresheet? And, any time you can distract your team before a pivotal defensive set piece, you’ve got to do it. He makes about $2 million a year for that excellent logic.
Berhalter was widely panned for the gesture on Twitter.
Berhalter excitedly signaling the Bolivia score to his players just seconds before conceding a goal is pretty symbolic of his entire tenure. Just accepting mediocrity if not straight-up celebrating it
— Andrew Joseph (@AndyJ0seph) July 2, 2024
It’s no coincidence that the #USMNT gave up a goal right after Berhalter flashed the score of Bolivia-Panama to the field. That’s a losers approach and all they will ever be with Greg in charge.
— Paul Thomas (@PaulLeeThomas) July 2, 2024
There are a ton of tweets just like that. Bottom line, Berhalter was focused on the wrong things at the wrong time.