Gregg Berhalter Accuses the Players of Lack of Will, Experts Slam the USMNT Head Coach

The United States Soccer Team lost its first soccer game against Canada in 34 years last night. The USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter, however, had a reason for such an outcome. According to the 46-year old, there was no desire among the American players, which caused this catastrophic result.

“The biggest disappointment in my eyes was the desire,” said Berhalter, who is already experiencing a huge dose of criticism among both the fans and the media in the United States.

Although the CONCACAF nations league isn’t the primary goal of the American team, which aims to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar 2020, the alarm is already set off. A 2-0 loss in Toronto is another unpleasant surprise, and all the fingers are pointed towards Berhalter.

After defeating Cuba with 7-0 last week, Canada was supposed to be a solid challenge for the rebuilding American crew. However, it turned out to be a slap in the face, as the 17-game streak during which the US haven’t lost, ended.

Gregg Berhalter postgame. 🗣

(@SoccerByIves | @SBISoccer) pic.twitter.com/vLrfVe9fNi

— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) October 16, 2019

Berhalter accused the players, saying that their lack of desire and lack of will caused this massive failure. The American coach was very disappointed with the way his team gave up the ball on the midfield, adding that such a thing is unacceptable in international matches.

“What stands out to me is just the sloppiness with the ball,” Berhalter said. “Too many mis-controlled touches, too many missed passes, too many easy things that we normally make that we weren’t making tonight.”

But on the other hand, the experts and retired players are saying that Berhalter is not the right guy for this job. All of them are claiming that the current US head coach doesn’t have the needed tactical knowledge, and that his brother Jay, who is probably going to be the next CEO of the USSF, is covering up for him.

The situation in the federation is not sweet at all, and the latest loss won’t improve it; that is for sure.

The lack of will on the field is the coach’s problem, and everybody agrees that he should be the one who motivates the players and sets the tone before the game starts. However, he isn’t capable of doing so, which is why this team slowly starts to lose its confidence.

The man who will make the decision on Gregg Berhalter’s future as USMNT coach (Earnie Stewart) is very likely to soon report to … Jay Berhalter, Gregg’s brother. US Soccer, everybody.

— Subscribe to GrantWahl.com (@GrantWahl) October 16, 2019

Right now, the American team is second in Group A, behind the Canadians who recorded all three wins without a conceded goal. Meanwhile, the USA has one victory and loss, while Cuba sits last with three defeats and 0-14 goal difference.

But what isn’t good at all is that the American team has just one triumph over the recent five matches, which is the above-mentioned one against sorry Cuba. Apart from that, Berhalter’s guys lost twice to Mexico, once vs. Canada, and played 1-1 against Uruguay.

Losing the Gold Cup finals against the Mexican team at home was the first negative blow for this unit. After that, the Mexicans hammered them with 3-0 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutheford. It was the moment when most of the fans realized that the American team isn’t progressing, but stagnating in this process of a rebuild.

The USMNT will play once again with Canada in one month. The two sides will clash on November 15 at Orlando, Florida. It is quite possible that this match determines the future of Gregg Berhalter, as the pressure on both him and the soccer federation rises after all the bad results.