- USMNT beaten 1-0 by Uruguay
- Eliminated from Copa America
- Lloyd with tough questions to Berhalter
WHAT HAPPENED?
A 1-0 defeat to an already-qualified Uruguay at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City marked the end of the USMNT’s Copa America campaign. Mathias Olivera scored the only goal, stunning the 55,000-strong crowd in Kansas City. And following the unceremonious exit, Berhalter and his men have faced severe flak from several quarters.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Expectations were high from the USMNT heading into the tournament but a shock defeat to Panama followed by the Uruguay loss has opened a can of worms. Lloyd did not mince words in her critique of the USMNT and their head coach, Berhalter, as she emphasised the need for a more driven and less complacent mentality, citing her own experiences with the USWNT.
WHAT LLOYD SAID
Lloyd speaking post-game on Fox Sports 1’s coverage, said: “We won championships and we hated our coaches. I question if [the USMNT players] are too comfortable in that locker room.”
WHAT NEXT?
The disappointing Copa America performance has cast significant doubt over Berhalter’s future as the head coach of the USMNT. The 50-year-old, who has been at the helm since 2018, now faces increasing pressure to justify his position, especially with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon. His tenure has been marked by mixed results, and this early exit from the continental competition has amplified calls for a potential change in leadership. Nonetheless, the man himself has argued that he is the right choice to lead the team ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
