- U.S. crashed out of Copa America
- Failed to make it out of their group
- Coach facing uncomfortable questions
WHAT HAPPENED?
The USMNT crashed out of the 2024 Copa America on the back of a controversial 1-0 defeat to Uruguay that saw match referee Kevin Ortega generate as many headlines as those competing for precious points. The United States had high hopes heading into a tournament on home soil, but have made unwanted history when bowing out before the knockout stages.
WHAT LALAS SAID
Berhalter is facing plenty of uncomfortable questions during his second spell at the helm, as he fails to deliver positive results against decent opposition, and Lalas has taken aim at his comments regarding a post-Copa “review” needing to be carried out. Ex-USMNT star Lalas has told his State of the Union podcast: “Gregg Berhalter is going to be doing a review of the federation and everything that went on, as he made in his press conference very, very clear, that he’s going to do that. I mean we just saw the freaking review. There it is. You lost, again. That’s the review.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Lalas was also left puzzled by Ortega’s refusal to shake Pulisic’s hand at the end of an eventful contest in Kansas City, with the AC Milan star left hanging after suggesting that the officials should join in with Uruguay’s celebrations. Lalas added: “That’s ridiculous. I mean, I don’t get that. But this referee was ridiculous. It was a joke and should not referee.”
WHAT NEXT?
The USMNT camp has plenty of time in which to assess what went wrong at the Copa America as they will not be back in action until facing Canada in a friendly date on September 7. Berhalter believes that he will still be in charge by that point, but it may be determined that another fresh start is required.
