not gonna defend berhalter but the fact may be the we just don't have good enough players. i've resigned myself to the idea that we will never field a team good enough to compete with the elite countries.
i honestly think the talent on this usmnt is a little overrated. better than previous teams? sure but i dont think the usmnt is at the point where they can overlook any opponent in international competitions. its always easier to take the role of pesky underdog that sits back and hits teams in the counter than being the team with the quality to impose your own pace and style. that was always the role that gave the usmnt its best results. something i mentioned here is that not having qualifiers hurt. while concacaf is filled with **** teams, the grind of it does help develop an identity. this is not something that you really get from short tournaments like copa america. regardless, this is big failure for sure.
I am a big fan of gegenpressing, as I think it works and fits with our historical culture, but again, if we can't put the ball on frame with pace the tactics themselves are meaningless. We need a new striker to do it.
Think I saw Shakira at the MLS All star game 20 years ago performing the same set. She was shakin it then too in Washington DC, and in a monsoon no less.
