Gregg Berhalter Happy With Jozy Altidore’s Attitude and Comeback

The first part of the Gold Cup challenges is over for the USMNT. They successfully finished the group stage, after recording all three wins, securing the top spot in their assembly.

The latest victim of the US team was Panama. Gregg Berhalter’s guys defeated their toughest opponent so far with 1-0, but after a lot of problems.

Though the hosts had more initiative and it looked as if they dominated the pitch in certain aspects of the game, Panama was a tough nut to crack. The reason for that is Berhalter’s decision to rest the starting lineup and to give a chance to other players in the team. All the 11 guys in the starting lineup didn’t appear in the previous contest.

However, these guys who were on the field of Children’s Mercy Park, showed incredible will and determination to post a win, which would secure a lighter opponent in the knockout stage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ExrLmQHuMI

According to the US head coach, there wasn’t any doubt in their abilities. Guys believe in each other, and are willing to contribute in the best possible way when the opportunity shows up.

“We believe in the group, we believe in keeping the group together, we believe that everyone can contribute to this team for the team’s success, and we wanted to show that.”

Berhalter also believed that it is time for one legend to come back on the pitch. After almost 20 months since scoring the last time for the national team, Jozy Altidore managed to hit the back of the net. The No.3 on the US team’s all-time scoring list delivered a fatal blow for Panama in the 66th minute.

Djordje Mihajlovic took a corner kick sending the ball on the far post of rival’s goal. Matt Miazga brought it back, finding Altidore who didn’t have any troubles to launch the ball behind Panama’s goalkeeper. And he did it with an overhead bicycle kick!

Jozy Altidore wins tonight’s debate. pic.twitter.com/M0WDwZNSPo

— Radley Balko (@radleybalko) June 27, 2019

After the match, Berhalter said that he spoke with Altidore during the halftime, and wanted to know is he able to continue the game. Veteran’s answer was pretty straightforward – ‘I want to stay on the field.’

“When you hear that from a player, it makes you feel great,” Berhalter said tot he journalists following the contest. “When that player goes out and scores the winning goal, it makes you feel even better.”

The first phase of the tournament is over and now starts the more important one. And the tougher also.

Team USA will clash against Curacao in the quarterfinals. In a shocking match against Jamaica, Curacao managed to score an equalizer in the third minute of the injury time, and reach one of the biggest successes in their history.

They were through because of a better goal difference than El Salvador’s, even though they lost a head-to-head match against this opponent. Their advance to the quarterfinals by far the most unexpected scenario in this year’s Gold Cup.

Despite the fact that his team is a massive favorite, Berhalter doesn’t allow for anyone to think that the upcoming game might be an easy one. Every opponent who reached this stage, no matter now must be respected.

“This is a team we can’t take lightly,” he said. “We’re going to go in fully prepared.”

The game will be played this Saturday in Philadelphia.

In other matches, Canada faces Haiti, Jamaca plays against Panama, Mexico versus Costa Rica.