We admit, there is much more opinion in this section of our analysis. We also acknowledge we are on the outside looking in here, and that is always dangerous. We’ve tried to be as objective as possible about what we can observe from a fan’s perspective and believe most analysts would agree with our thoughts below. 

Berhalter’s recruitment has been excellent. In the past, high quality players like Guiseppi Rossi (Italy) and Nevin Subotic (Serbia) consistently turned away from the USA. However under Berhalter we’ve secured key contributors like Yunus Musah, Folarin Balogun, and depth with guys like Malik Tillman and Alex Zendejas.

This team is clearly very close knit. That helps, but we’re beginning to wonder if this is actually too much of a good thing. They are clearly close with Berhalter too – just look at this image of Berhalter and Tim Weah after the Netherlands knocked us out of the Qatar World Cup. There’s genuine affection there.

We do, however, think Carli Lloyd’s recent comments that this team may be too comfortable with Gregg are extremely insightful. You can have too much of a good thing, and this generation may just need to get meaner. We got outhustled and pushed around in Copa America.

It’s also interesting to think about the “too comfortable” issue in context of the comments she made when the USWNT was eliminated from the 2023 World Cup, that the USSF was focused on things other than winning. Making sure the players like their coach isn’t necessarily a focus on winning.

Our biggest issue with Berhalter has been the tactical inflexibility. We love seeing the team control the ball, build from the back, and control games against Mexico. We hate seeing the team try to do the same and fail against better/more physical opposition. It is maddening to have Berhalter not be able to change tactics mid game. We submit the Japan match before Qatar, and the Colombia game before Copa America as the two worst examples.

A manager has to be able to recognize when our system needs to change in order to give us the best chance of producing a result. How many Championship teams come out in an FA Cup match against a Premier League team, look to control possession and build from the back…and win? Perhaps this explains why we never beat any top 20 teams other than a historically bad Mexico under Berhalter when past teams did so with less talent?

It’s time for this team to focus on results rather than style. The development period is over, these guys are entering their prime and we need to maximize the results regardless of how we do it. Do you think any Italian fans are embarrassed by their 4 World Cups or two European championships because at times they sit back and soak up pressure?

Next: final ruling