At the Copa, Copa America ('24)
i had posted last week about the rabbit hole i went down post Panama loss.
its deeeeeeep rooted. But in summary, yes Jay Berhalter is an integral figure w/in US Soccer ( altho his "role" currently is with MLS - but the two entities are quite intertwined ) Don Garber as well ( current Commissioner of MLS ). They picked their replacements at US Soccer. They picked the "commission" to find a coach post Berhalter firing in 2022.
and I want to say a few posters here started ringing the alarm bells 6-8 years ago - maybe
@44slayer was one, there was another US Soccer supporter here that posted about the state of US Soccer ( but at that time it was under Sunil Gulati )
We saw this coming from many, many miles away. Deep down, we all knew this was going to be the story of Copa. We just played along, hoped for the best. The best games we've played since Qatar, have been under interims. That is still the case after Copa.
In the short term, we all knew Berhalter wasnt the answer at WC22. The thorough Van Gaaling he took in the knockouts. Then the Reyna drama and we were sure he was in the rearview. Then the 'exhaustive data drive hiring process' somehow settled back on Berhalter (it didnt).
There are just too many issues inside USSF. More than will be settled between now and 2026.
That leaves us with USSF firing him. That HAS to happen. I wouldnt might seeing Crocker go as well. And a full restructure of US Soccer. But 2 years, right now all Im concerned with is Berhalter gone.
Couple observations:
Hot take, Balogun is the key to this team. He is the finisher, we are just absolute crap at having someone pick up his runs. Get Gio off the wings and have him central to be the guy who does that.
I do not care how the players feel about Berhalter. No one picks their boss. No one has to like their boss. You lead in a way they respect you, but just like being a parent, you arent their friend. Quit asking them. Its not their job to pick a coach.
Its a 2 year sprint now. Theres a lot of big names out there. You can get sponsors to pony up for 1 of them and pitch it as a 2 year gig that has a huge upside. Klopp, Low, Pep, Xavi. Marsch, Wagner, etc. Jurgen is out there. I still wish Jurgen had this player pool.
Its time to get away from systems and let our guys go at defenders. This group isnt young anymore. They are all experienced in top flight leagues. Its time to take the handcuffs off and just go at teams with creativity and taking chances in the final 3rd.........and if you watched Panama play Bolivia, thats exactly how they scored. All 3 of their goals were exactly what we are lacking.