I have been trying to find words or a topic to write about for some time now and will have several posts rolling out over the next few days but this is too big not to comment on. I came home last night from coaching my high school team in one of our few night games to see the USMNT embarrassed by Canada in a Nations League match. Ten years ago, I remember watching the USMNT upset Spain in a Confederations Cup Match. Bear in mind, this was a Spanish team formed by players in their golden generation.
Fast forward to October 15, 2019 and the USMNT loses to Canada 2-0. All I kept thinking about was how far this team has fallen. In the years since the loss to Trinidad and Tobago that prevented the USMNT from qualifying for the World Cup, there has been next to no progress. This is horrific to think about where we have fallen. When the new coach was hired, he was suppose to bring change to a team in desperate need of it. Now, I will say that I was a fan of Klinnsman because he tried to address the entire problem in the United States beginning in the youth programs all the way up to MLS. With the hiring of Gregg Berhalter, it shows that US Soccer is more concerned with revenue from MLS than it is competing on a global stage. The roster for last night’s match was better from Berhalter but the substitutions were questionable to say the least. There is too much talent in the USA to continue to fail in settings like these. Seems a far cry from the World Cup team that just narrowly lost to Belgium.
At this point, I just fail to see what Gregg Berhalter’s goal is for this team. We have some of the most talented youth players but are not using the Nations League to get vital minutes of development instead using older players in their places. I have also, in matches since his hiring, failed to see a true system in place for this team. This is not just his formation choices but how are the United States players going to play. Are they going to counter? Are they going to press high and immediately to turn teams over? What does the future look like for the USMNT?
I want to see success. We have outstanding players like Zach Steffen and Christian Pullisic that can lead this team for the next couple of World Cups. It is time to surround them with a solid roster and install a true system that the United States players and fans can get behind.
Kicked in the Grass 