The US Men's National Team (USMNT) recently suffered a tough 5-1 loss to Colombia. This defeat led to many fans and pundits calling for the dismissal of head coach Gregg Berhalter. Despite the widespread criticism, Berhalter remains optimistic about his team’s future and potential to compete against top teams.

In a recent interview, Berhalter addressed the calls for removal and the importance of achieving good results to secure his position ahead of the 2026 World Cup. He acknowledged that while he might not be the best person to answer questions about his job security, he believes in the current squad's potential. “We see this group as a talented group, a group that's able to do good things,” he said.

Berhalter emphasized that the team needs to demonstrate its ability on the field. “I think we can beat top teams, but we have to go show it. We've talked a lot about doing it, and for us, it's really about the performance, going out there and having a solid performance,” he stated. This shows his belief that the team’s hard work and performance are key to success.

USMNT preparing for tough challenges ahead

The heavy loss to Colombia is something Berhalter prefers to leave in the past. He is not overly concerned about the scoreline but instead focuses on future challenges. The upcoming friendly match against Brazil is a crucial test for the team. While acknowledging the disappointment of the Colombia defeat, Berhalter insists that such games are part of a larger plan to prepare the team for major tournaments.

Berhalter explained, “The natural tendency would be to say, OK, now it's only about the result [against Brazil]. But the reality is it is a friendly game. We are preparing for a tournament.” He stressed the importance of sticking to their plan and being brave despite external pressures, particularly after such a heavy defeat at home.

The friendly against Brazil, scheduled for Wednesday evening, offers the players a chance to show their readiness and form. Historically, the USMNT has struggled against the Brazilian team, but Berhalter hopes the recent setback will motivate the players to perform stronger.

As the USMNT continues its preparations, Berhalter focuses on building a cohesive and competitive squad. He understands the pressure from fans and the media but believes the team can rise to the occasion. The upcoming matches are seen as steps in a longer journey towards success in major tournaments like the
Copa América and the World Cup.

Berhalter is confident in his team's abilities despite the recent 5-1 defeat to Colombia. He believes the USMNT can compete with top teams and sees upcoming matches, including the friendly against Brazil, as opportunities to demonstrate their progress. Berhalter's focus on performance and preparation aims to ensure the team is ready for future challenges, keeping faith in their potential to achieve great things internationally.