Gregg Berhalter questioned by ex-USMNT stars as Copa America closes in after US wanted a 96th-minute own-goal equalizer to keep away from large upset towards Jamaica

Alexi Lalas led the previous USMNT stars who tore into the nationwide group and head coach Gregg Berhalter’s management after they salvaged a win over Jamaica on the loss of life Thursday night time. 

The USA narrowly escaped humiliation by the hands of Jamaica within the Concacaf Nations League semifinal after Cory Burke’s personal aim within the sixth minute of harm time drew them stage to drive further time.  

The No. 13 Individuals had been on the verge of shedding their third straight match after Greg Leigh scored 30 seconds in for the 57th-ranked Reggae Boyz. 

Nevertheless, Burke’s personal aim adopted by Haji Wright’s strikes within the sixth and nineteenth minutes of additional time salvaged a win for the USA. 

Regardless of the USA sneaking by means of to the Nations League last for a 3rd straight time, Lalas blasted the nationwide group for its efficiency – significantly through the first half – and appeared to query Berhalter’s place. 

‘That was a horrible half of soccer from #USMNT. I want I may go right down to the locker room and tear ‘em all a brand new one. #USAvJAM,’ he posted on X, previously often known as Twitter, at halftime. 

 He straight focused Berhalter Friday afternoon when he insisted the coach merited blame for his group’s show. 

‘You are able to do no matter you need,’ he posted. ‘However I can say it was a horrible efficiency and, as coach, Berhalter deserves criticism for his group’s utter lack of urgency, ruthlessness, or vitality. However he additionally made the required adjustments in gamers/techniques to seek out the win in a knock-out setting.’ 

Whereas Lalas clearly feels Berhalter deserves criticism, he does not consider it is but sufficient for US Soccer to fireplace him. 

Regardless of the USMNT’s current poor performances, which have included two losses to Trinidad and Tobago and Slovenia, Lalas remained satisfied Berhalter isn’t within the hotseat – but. 

‘Meh. Matt Crocker (USSF Sporting Dir.) employed Berhalter when he had each justification to not,’ he later tweeted in response to a fan asking if the US coach can be dealing with the danger of being fired. 

‘To fireside him means Crocker admitting he made a colossal mistake on his most vital resolution. Barring epic Copa America fail and/or undisputed improve obtainable, Berhalter continues.’ 

Whereas Lalas believes Berhalter is not going to be proven the door any time quickly, it seems if he had been in Crocker’s sneakers he would and already has a super alternative lined up. 

When requested by one other social media consumer who he thought can be a great match for the USMNT job, Lalas named Jim Curtin. 

Curtin has been the top coach of MLS aspect Philadelphia Union since 2014 , being named Coach of the Yr in 2020 and 2022. 

However Lalas wasn’t the one former American soccer star to look to activate Berhalter following Thursday night time’s fortunate escape. 

Whereas former USA gamers reminiscent of Taylor Twellman and Tab Ramos beforehand have been passive about Berhalter’s position as USMNT head coach after he was rehired when his contract expired following the 2022 World Cup, the tide seemed to be altering. 

Though they did not straight hit out at Berhalter, they delivered scathing evaluation of the efficiency with some hinting the coach is at fault. 

‘Sadly, the ultimate product of this group continues to be a lot lower than the sum of its particular person components….. 12 months after 12 months,’ Ramos posted. 

In the meantime, Twellman fired off a few tweets questioning Berhalter’s tactical choices. 

‘He wasn’t initially known as in fwiw…..,’ he wrote, referring to Wright after his successful extra-time targets. 

Earlier on Thursday night time, the Apple TV MLS commentator was seemingly left baffled by the choice to play midfielder Weston McKennie with no consideration again. 

‘McKennie as a RB now……..,’ he posted alongside shoulder-shrug and raised-eyebrow emojis. 

‘Personal aim. Becoming. #USMNT,’ he added after Burke helped pull the US stage. 

Retired-forward-turned-coach-and-commentator Eric Wynalda chimed in, writing: ‘This US group is getting more durable and more durable to care about. The entire thing simply feels bizarre.’

‘In the event that they don’t rating the personal aim the place are we at this time? What’s the dialog – is there a dialog?’ he later requested, replying to a fan who branded Berhalter’s second tenure as ‘stale’.

Thursday’s underwhelming efficiency comes simply three months earlier than the USA hosts the Copa America and supplied a worrying perception into their probabilities of success.

The Copa America additionally serves as a warmup for the 2026 World Cup, which the US will co-host with Canada and Mexico with the ultimate going down at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey – Berhalter’s dwelling state.