The end of Gregg Berhalter? I react to post match press conference after USA 1-5 Colombia

[@JakeLandau]

Sorry about the last video yall. USSF must have messed with my audio (jk) Not even gonna plug my own substack. Go read Meg Swanick's "Fire Gregg Berhalter." swandive.substack.com/p/fire-gregg-berhalter

[@nwerz-1022]

Honest question. Do the other writers and journalists who “get the opportunity” to timidly rattle off softball questions feel as torn as you do bc of the absolute lack of accountability we hold Gregg to? If this was basketball or football or even baseball he would have been gone after one year imo. Is it a coincidence that Brian McBride has been on “call it what you want” for weeks now and the first espisode after maybe the 1st of second most embarrassing performance in the last 25 years isn’t there and Tony comes on to fill in. U could be wrong and maybe Brian had a prior commitment but It just seems like we can only Go far with our criticism or feedback or intelligence when it comes to soccer fandom in this country and I’m pretty sick of it. Gregg mentioned himself and his staff one time in that entire interview and did you realize he wasn’t asked one formation or tactical decision question. Why is that? We need to do better as players but more importantly as profession, ie Matt crocker and ussf and presented media in doing better at creating an environment where we can see this team Succeed

[@sasquatchrosefarts]

You can't turn the entire event and jersey into pride for encouraging kids to go extinct, and expect to draw the best players into the sport. There are hundreds of pickup soccer players who are better than our national team players. "Pro" never meant that amateurs can't be better, it just means you get paid and show up for a club everyday. There are many examples in soccer history where players outside the traditional soccer pipeline were called up for world cups. But the same culture and "encourage kids to go extinct" mafia that obliterated Hollywood has obliterated pro soccer in the USA.

[@parkersmith2674]

It’s strange seeing players in good form struggle each international window…almost like the manager has shitty tactics and fails to adjust to the players he has

[@MickAlister]

Totally agree -- He was brought back because of the "man management" aspect and how all the young players liked him. *However*, sometimes players want a coach that makes life easier for them - its self preservation. I think US Soccer panicked and brought him back despite the poor results because they didn't want to agitate this group of young talented players.

[@andresListings01]

Following today’s 5-1 result, the USMNT is 3-14-5 all-time against Colombia, with the team’s last win coming in a 3-0 victory on March 9, 2005 in Fullerton, Calif. That's 19 years! The team’s eight- match winless streak against Los Cafeteros is currently the second longest of any opponent after Brazil (11 matches). The US cannot underestimate teams like Colombia that have been pumping out great football players for over 40 years. Colombia is ranked the third exporting country of players in the Americas (over 467) only below Brazil (first) and Argentina ( second). Uruguay is ranked 4th, and the US is 5th. The US needs to humble down, and start working their butts off!

[@DavidDucaz]

Well said

[@theclaudiacpu]

Finally some true!

[@Basedmursenary]

I’ve been critical of you in the past for being a GGG apologist but I understand your perspective. I’ve coached before too and you’re right, there is that element to it where others simply cannot appreciate. I think we’re now on the same page though, GGG needs to move on so our boys can move up. Cheers

[@JakeLandau]

It’s all good. I also tend to be optimistic so that will always factor into how I feel about a person or situation.

[@thorazine8402]

@@JakeLandauJake, that’s why I always look forward to your takes. I also gave Berhalter a long leash and wanted no part of the over the top Berhalter bashing. It’s three weeks after you made this vid, and now we’ve been grouped in Copa on our own soil. We’ve regressed since the World Cup because Berhalter continues to play it safe and get outcoached. He’s just average, and with the WC 2026 about 700 days ago, we can’t rely on an average coach to compete at that level. Berhalter needs to do the right thing and step down.

[@gbouton2011]

Fire him before he ruins the most important WC in our history

[@JakeLandau]

I’m getting closer to this train of thought now.

[@kyler5862]

I’d fire him now and let BJ take over for Copa. The boys obviously need a tactical change, but they also need a vibes change. It would make Copa less pressure and allow them to find cohesion while we search for the next coach

[@erikrodriguez8721]

FR THO!!!

[@Astute-Chaos]

Bruh i been saying this Before/During/After the World Cup 😭🤣

[@coopaloopmex]

100% agree. In the fall of 2026 we are going to look back and realize we coud have done so much more.

[@gustavovz8431]

There are so many problems with this coach and his approach to the game but in its simplest terms it comes down to trying to fit a square peg in a round hole and inability to understand the opponent and you put his players in the best position is succeed based on their strengths not based on some pre-arranged scheme that's what you see here. For example he's making the goalkeeper play out of the back with his feet when that's his weakness

[@jacoblind5390]

Where are the questions about the mistakes in tactics? Asking why Gio was being played so deep or why the team seems hesitant to progress up the middle

[@mackdeen7021]

There isn’t real media covering this team. The soccer “journalists” hired to cover this team for the big mainstream news outlets and the hand picked pro-USSF talking heads are all there to keep our “footie” free of any real critique or criticism. The podcasters and I independent journalist and smaller media sources the really know about the game and are objective are NOT invited to the party. Eventually U.S. Soccer is going to alienate the fans and the real potential media for this team so much that they are going to lose Ire and more fans. We see it every game with note opposing fans filling these stadiums. It’s only going to get worse. The whole program is a joke.

[@davidbrick6325]

Love the video, Jake. We're clearly way behind CONMEBOL teams. I accept it. But what kills me is that USSF doesn't seem serious about catching up. If they were, Berhalter would be out, barring an extremely good performance at the Copa. It's so depressing.

[@johnjames529]

I was at the match. Berhalter was booed when his name was announced prior to the game. This isn't a shock reaction, this is years of mediocrity.

[@julioguzman3687]

Greg as the coach is the example of approving mediocrity.

[@asnark7115]

It's not even mediocrity, friend. That's being charitable.

[@mackdeen7021]

Would agree but that 5-1 loss was worse than mediocre.

[@75dobs]

A mediocre man is always at his best.

[@flockoturtles]

Five years of the same old BS Berhalter Ball. There has been no progress. The players might like Gregg as a person but that does not make him a good choice as a coach for international soccer. A coach who refuses to deviate from his chosen system and expects players to fit into his mold is not qualified to coach a national team. He has a keeper who is not good with his feet and several backs who are also not good with their feet, playing out from the back and overthinking every move to the point where they are mentally freezing at key moments. He has a striker who is strongest in transitional play completely being wasted, waiting for yet another cross from the wings. The list of playing against the strengths of individual players goes on and on. His substitutions make things worse and always come too late. He can't read the game. When our guys struggle against T&T because of inept coaching, they will never stand a chance against quality teams. A coach has to be able to inspire confidence and the willingness to punch above their weight and Gregg fails at that on every turn.

[@nerychristian]

In high school, my favorite teachers were the ones who gave the least amount of work, and who let us goof off in class. If you ask players who their favorite Coach is, it's the one who lets them play and doesn't challenge them. Players have a healthy fear of their coach. They have to know that if they don't do well, they will be benched and called out in the locker room.

[@JakeLandau]

That’s exactly how I read it.

[@barcelona2170]

I have not coached in a few years, just due to being busy and other life things. However, when I was a full time coach, I had to look at when it was time to be more patient and try to motivate. I also had times when I needed to make changes and get a fire under my teams butt. I personally have never seen this from Greg. He is slow to change. He is stubborn. I am not saying the talent we have is world class. However I do feel like, with the right coach, there's no reason we can't get some results. It is life draining for me to watch this team continuously fall short against anyone that is not CONCACAF. It's been time to move on. I understand your perspective. But it is time.

[@lcutri]

It’s a good thing I wasn’t able to watch this game. Can anyone explain to me why the media has no cojones in asking Gregg the tough questions regarding him and the team.

[@starwarssatan5588]

Because ussf kicks them out and does not allow them back

[@vinceo1058]

Access. If you ask a challenging question, it's your last.

[@TheWatchingCrows]

Ussf won’t let you ask those types of questions.

[@b.r.409]

I love what Hercules Gomez said “ you gotta point fingers at people that put him [Berhalter] in charge. Who are the people the people that put him in charge; gave him a second chance.”

[@rochesterjohnny7555]

"and the new coach to replace Berhalter is.... Berhalter!!!" hahaha he's never leaving until natural causes

[@alexr4693]

Appreciate the level-headed content as always, Jake. Saturday was on everyone.

[@JakeLandau]

Cheers Alex.

[@stephencoons7879]

In his press conference, GB noted how well we played at the beginning of the first half until he made the substitutions. What he did not say, was that the goal we scored in the continued pressure we applied were due to not playing "Berhalter ball". Reyna was aggressively acting as playmaker from the middle rather than going wide and crossing. After he was subbed out, we went back to Berhalter ball.

[@chrishenderson1262]

I'm curious if anyone else also noticed a particular scene during the game. I can't remember when exactly it happened, but I think it was towards the end of the first half. It was a moment where the camera was on BJ and GGG on the bench. BJ had a tablet in his hand and was showing something to GGG, speaking as he did so. GGG just sat silently and then after BJ made whatever comment he was making, GGG looked downward between his knees, like he was just sitting there thinking. Of course, as we all witnessed, no real tactical changes were applied throughout the rest of the game, so whatever was being explained to GGG must have gone in one ear and right out the other. Or he heard them and completely dismissed them. For me, it was just a super emblematic moment and really spoke volumes. His assistant (who frankly got this team to play better collectively than he has during a 5 year tenure) was obviously noting something of importance to him, and GGG just sat there like a deer in headlights. It's kind of his go-to response. You can even see it as an undertone in these press conferences. It's a feigning of pensiveness, which could lead some to believe that he's thoughtful and contemplative about the issues. But in reality, the lack of implementing any new ideas or strategies exposes that there are really very few wheels turning inside that head. The eventual conclusion he always seems to land on is that it's not a matter of tactics or system, it's a matter of those tactics/system not being properly executed. There was the other moment (at least on the TNT feed) where they showed a "mic'd up" compilation of GGG. The majority of his vocalization was just simple blabber like "Come on Joe", "Come on Westin". It just made me think that he knows so little about trying to guide the team from the sidelines, and he's pretty much just being a cheerleader.

[@JVEdits1]

Thanks for reposting! This press conference is really everything wrong with USSF. The press needs to stand up to them and boycott the press conferences if USSF retaliates against reporters for asking tough questions. How pathetic of an organization to be so thin skinned and vindictive. The press looks like fools not pressing Gregg after one of the worst losses in many years. If the press can't hold them accountable then really no one can. It's a sad state all around.

[@chrishenderson1262]

I've thought the same for a long time with respect to the kinds of softball questions GGG gets at all these press conferences. What really solidified it for me was Jake's comment in this video about wanting to continue to get press passes. It was actually the saddest and most revealing portion of this whole subject, because it exposes the root of the problem: an unwillingness to foster the right kind of accountability within the program, and even a culture of reprisal for anyone who won't toe the line.

[@Vickzq]

It's done this way with politicians... and you expect different in sport...

[@kristi4113]

The way I see it, USSF is out of their minds thinking Gregg is the best option. It doesn’t matter if he is buddies with the team because they don’t win. The same thing was up with Vlatko and the USWNT, and he got replaced with Emma Hayes. She isn’t being buds with the girls. They know who is in charge and don’t question her.

[@vorosmc]

Best option for what? The best option to help us win games? Well, no but that's not likely the goal. The best option to consolidate power at the top of the US Soccer structure? He's very much the man for the job.

[@kristi4113]

@@vorosmc I doubt they interviewed anyone else, Jesse Marsch basically confirmed that himself last summer. USSF try to pretend money is the problem in hiring, but how unless there’s a serious accounting problem (AKA: embezzlement).

[@allenhoyos2855]

Colombia is head and shoulders above USMNT. The team as a whole needs to compete at a higher level more consistently. I think the USMNT should consider the reality that concacaf is not growing them.

[@didier_777]

How many wakeup calls do you need? This is me with a hangover hitting the snooze button every 10 minutes for an hour straight.

[@Sikthkid]

Doing the same thing but expecting different results.

[@jasonw4944]

Yep, every time we think, maybe this time he will try something different. Maybe this time he learned a lesson from the last game. And every time, it's the same thing, and we have to make the same excuses. How many "wake-up calls" and "reality checks" does this team need?

[@JakeLandau]

Madness

[@dasberserkr]

GGG has NEVER looked like a coach that can take us anywhere…

[@pronational02]

GGGG GreGG Gone!! The comparison IS Jesse Marsch TIES France in France having coached that team less than one month.

[@JakeLandau]

The fact it happened on the same day 🤦

[@marcocarbajal9299]

The tell-tale sign that a coach has reached the end of the road is when the players quit on you and boooyyyy did the players quit on him.

[@Funnybone_FB]

GGG has just had more than his fair share of chances and I feel like I've remained supportive and been more patient than many, but my apathy towards the same tired product is definitely starting to wear. There is just zero feeling that Berhalter's USMNT could do anything really special.

[@JakeLandau]

Yup and if we really want to change the way the world see America or whatever, you don’t do that by losing.

[@Stinkie_Cheese_Man]

thank you for such a level headed view! seriously, it's easy to get caught up in the emotions of the loss. I agree with your take!

[@JakeLandau]

You're so welcome stinkie cheese man!

[@noway5976]

5 years and no real improvement. That is coaching. Berhalter should not be the head coach even before this game. Look at the play and results while Berhalter was “out”. The problem is U.S. Soccer “leadership”. So many issues… This says it all as to why it’s broken and won’t get better @23:00. Fundamental changes need to occur.

[@davidgodoy826]

Doesn’t matter if you play for AC Milan or Real Madrid or San Jose , if you don’t play as a team and humble yourself and play as the underdog

[@scratchknudsen1]

Jake, you are one of the kindest voices in the KZbin US men's soccer space, and you've had more patience than I do when it comes to GGG. So to me, this is a refreshing opinion and also a really, really big deal that you are ready for him to go. I appreciate that you live here. Huge respect bro! And regarding your comment about your grace for national team coaches, we are playing against other national teams, so those coaches are in the same boat.

[@JakeLandau]

Cheers man. And yeah I get that this is a zero sum game, someone needs to be worse than the others. With our resources to be able to pay coaches that should never be an issue.

[@e350mn]

One more thought. Back in December of 2023, I posted I think we have a GK issue. Turner has taken a dramatic fall in form. If you watch the Canada vs France game, the Canadian keeper make 3 or 4 saves that should have been goals. We need a keeper that can keep us in the game against better teams. Turner, right now, is not that guy. In my opinion this is our top ⏰.

[@starwarssatan5588]

Horvath needs to start against brazil

[@e350mn]

@@starwarssatan5588 I’m don’t think he’s the long term answer but yes. Gregg needs to start benching guys who aren’t performing at a high level.

[@chrishenderson1262]

GGG is just full of shit. He doesn't realize how much his rigid system has to do with some of these mistakes. When you absolutely insist on playing out of the back at all costs, and overvalue possession, you get situations where players dribble too much under pressure. Because your structure and instruction don't provide them an option to simply release the ball up field when the other team is trapping them. When you condense the field (as he clearly stated was his intention), your defense has no options to dump it into a channel because if they do they will surely be conceding possession which you have also instructed them is fatal to the way you want them to play. You could see it in the body language when the ball was swinging between the CBs/FBs/DCM. They looked uncomfortable and like they just wanted an outlet to dump the ball to, but they had to play against their instincts to keep possession at all costs. Those mistakes late in the game by players like Cardoso and Weah also have to do with fatigue. When you are forced to struggle under such intelligent pressure for 75 minutes, you get tired, both mentally and physically. More tired and prone to mistakes than you would be if allowed the freedom to play more simply throughout the earlier stages of the game. It makes a huge difference, and anyone who has played the game would know that. Frankly, GGG with the level he played at during his career (a decent level, but certainly not a world class level) should know more than anyone how difficult it can be as a defense to have a coach that demands you hold onto possession in your own defensive third when the other team is obviously prepared for and ready to take advantage of that mistake. You know what makes a defender absolutely shiver. Having to pass the ball back to a goalie who they know does not play well with his feet. The goalie also shivers in those moments. A goalie like Turner is also then carrying an extra burden that he shouldn't be forced to carry. It begins to impact the things that he excels at, like shot stopping. These tactical deficiencies bleed into the tone of the game and the players' broader performance. It's all interrelated. If anyone showed a lack of respect for the game of soccer, it's GGG. With his completely naïve tactics against a team that was able to diagnose them so easily. He attributes this to a lack of effort or motivation, and a wake up call to his players. When, as you say so well, this should be a wake up call to him. A message to him that his tactics are fundamentally flawed and are the first domino in the series of dominoes that fell during that game.

[@vinceo1058]

I loved your answer that started with how his manner of speaking grates on you. From the game in Canada that we supposedly dominated to this aw-shucks we learned that top-level attackers can punish you (as if knowing that and preparing for it aren't... the bulk of his job) I hate that he assumes that we either didn't watch the game or didn't know what we were seeing. I'd rather see a Conte flameout than this milquetoast BS where he tries to go in with the assumption that he's got it under control when there is no evidence whatsoever of it being under control.

[@stephencoons7879]

Great analysis. After 5 years, it should be about performing and winning, not about learning. After 5 years, wake up calls should only result when a team is overconfident and doesn't take an opponent seriously. It should not happen because you weren't focused. The first case may be on the players; the second, is the coach.

[@symphonyfarm2009]

The job of any coach, at any level, is the elevate your players performance higher than what the individual thought they themselves were capable of previously.

[@TheCheeseBaron]

Gregg is a pro at not answering questions. If he showed any humility it would go a long way with fans. He gets this snarky defensive tone when he needs to be contrite and let us know he’s learning from mistakes. (Tonight was the least snarky I’ve felt from him, cuz hey5-1 sucks) I think it’s right to say he doesn’t apply pressure to players because he wants to be the buddy manager, “I’m a former player, I’m one of you” but he needs to be the authority figure

[@JakeLandau]

Completely agree. He doesn’t do himself any favors building a relationship with the fans.

[@benjamingorres17]

The buck stops at the coach. Antonee Robinson among others had been committing individual mistakes since time immemorial. If belhalter is not up to a friendly game, how much more for Copa A 24 and WC 26? Replace him with an Emma Hayes caliber.

[@sharpcheddah9385]

When Greg talks about the game "at this level" it makes we want to reach through the screen a smack him, pretty much all of our players that actually get minutes play in the best leagues in the world against the best players in the world, HE IS THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS NO EXPERIENCE, and the experience he does have in the lesser Leagues has been far from impressive. HE IS THE PROBLEM AND WE ARE WASTING THE MOST TALENTED GROUP OF PLAYERS WE HAVE EVER HAD WITH THIS...... BOZO ( to put it nicely)

[@jamestaylorstudios28]

I am still a newbie to the game, but growing up in the area of the Southeastern conference, I know a guy when he has absolutely no clue what's in front of him This guy might have done pretty well in the MSL, but this is not that puny League. This is the world cup we're coming up on. And this guy can't see the field, and has absolutely no clue what's happening on the field in front of him

[@obviouspresmaga]

My main problem is that our guys don't look comfortable under Greg's "system" and even if our guys played his system to perfection we would still lose because it doesn't allow them to play at their fullest extent of their abilities.

[@samuelcutts2589]

We approach every single game the same way. We can’t do this, it makes it easy for top teams.

[@D1Gr8hansGraf]

The problem is not the coach, but the Federation who brought him back even though he failed the first time. Berhalter is simply not a capable manager.

[@e350mn]

Like you, this was the first time in GGG’s tenure the thought he might not be the guy crossed my mind (and probably Crocker’s too). We have the talent to keep it close with Colombia. I am hopeful this was just a one off. I am hopeful this IS a wake up call. I will be at the Brazil game and we will find out.

[@starwarssatan5588]

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME FOR YOU?!? HOW HOW HOW!

[@jpminick9684]

Was at the game. The first half wasn't terribly unbalanced. Colombia took their chances. We didn't. Giving up a goal in the first 6 minutes is brutal. The longer we stay in these games the more pressure builds on the opponents that expect to beat us. Greggs phlegmatic demeanor sucks. How many times can you say "wake-up call" while seemingly falling asleep.

[@C_Fisherman]

Here’s the truth. USMNT fans hype the players. Time to realize the US has some good professional footballers, but not great players, not world class. How do you win on the international stage with good but not great players? It’s obviously about coaching, bringing the team together, fostering the right dynamic, and above all bringing the right tactics. But what does USMNT have? The least dynamic, the least inspirational and the least tactically aware coach one could imagine. Berhalter was exposed for what he is in the Netherlands knock out match. How the USMNT brought him back boggles the mind.

[@chocobocooki3]

Pochettino is available... AGAIN. Gregg Berhalter's annual salary is $1,641,398 in 2022 and Pochettino's annual salary at Chelsea was $1,813,234. You're telling me we STILL don't want Poche? My hands are up in the air in disgust.

[@datocosmico]

Greetings from Colombia, great analysis I do feel football is getting bigger and bigger in the US as years go by; I will say though, I do feel there was some lack of knowledge from USMNT regarding the history of a lot of the Colombian players playing; for instance, although James and Díaz are our best players, Quintero and Carrascal, who came on in the 2nd half, technically speaking are almost as good as James (some Colombians even argue Quintero is more technically gifted than James); So, contrary to the popular belief that they were just 'subs', they have prime quality even comparing them to other conmebol squads. Cheers, from Colombia, I do like the USMNT better than Mexico though hehehehe

[@christianstone7979]

I really appreciate this analysis. This was the game that finalized the Gregg issue for me, too. I appreciate that he is (somewhat surprisingly) not framing this as a lesson learned but as a wakeup call. But we have had SO MANY wakeup calls under this man! Japan before the World Cup, the Uzbekistan friendly where we looked awful, Uruguay, and even Jamaica recently in the Nations League. For this to be the point where he finally seems even mildly upset about the result is unacceptable.

[@christianstone7979]

There's clearly something really wrong with the mentality of the group at this point. To have such a long camp with such a talented squad who are used to playing against high-quality opponents (like you said) and then collapse like this is crazy. It's more than individuals having off days. Where (for the millionth time) are the tactical adjustments? We lined up in the same flat 4-3-3, continued to misuse some of our best attacking options, kept going up the flanks and whipping in crosses like we have for five years, and made zero in-game adjustments. But hey, this time it was a wakeup call.

[@johnjames529]

Great video, Jake. This is the most earnest video I have seen about this match and the overall state of the team and its coach.

[@chuch723]

Of course the players like gregg he has his favorites like pulisic who can't do anything wrong. Turner should be out ream shouldn't be starting. Gio is playing out of position if regular folks can see this why cant he

[@donaldpkelley]

I agree with you Jake and salute your willingness to deal with the gray areas, that is, to not see it as a simple black and white ('it's all Greg's fault). The federation most certainly is responsible in no small way. And the players are not perfect. My big issue is this... the USMNT cannot expect to show up 'at the office' and take care of business with our 'world-class technical skills'. We are not good enough to do that.' We need to play with passion and urgency and... as past managers have recognized... fitness. My issue with Bob Bradley (and now Greg) was that he approached coaching a national team like a technocrat. Managing world class athletes is not a 'sports administration' challenge Bob's graduate degree), it's a people challenge. Greg's idea of managing people is to be 'one of the guys'. He has the perfect lineup, the perfect strategy, the perfect game all figured out in his head but again and again and again he fails to communicate it. He is NOT one of the guys and but he is also not a LEADER of people. He has little authority. As for the federation... the writing has been on the wall for years--the weak performances against weak opponents...and yet the federation continues to back Greg. Meanwhile, here in the land of reality, the fans are responding in droves with 'meh'. As for me... a die-hard fan since 1984, I'm losing interest in even watching the USMNT on TV, let alone take the time to go to a match. The players are great, the opportunities are fantastic but the management has been a huge disappointment. Remember the 1994 World Cup (USA-Columbia, 2-1), launching MLS shortly afterwards, and all the talk of winning the World Cup in something like 20 years? That was 30 years ago.

[@coopaloopmex]

Jake, to you point about how GGG talks about Luis Diaz @23:30 , I 100% agree. He speaks to USMNT fans as if all we have ever known is the MLS (which is true from his POV stint in Sweden notwithstanding)

[@asnark7115]

Pulisiic is still not being used as the 9, and our 9 is still being used a hold-up man in a 3-man front. This essentially makes our team a man down in non-set piece, open play.

[@vorosmc]

I looked at the most recent FIFA ratings (or I guess EA FC now) for each. In general if you rank from best (Diaz and Pulisic) to worst (Arias and Ream) ratings on average, Colombia is rated two points better. That's not a lot, but not nothing. For comparison it's roughly the difference between Newcastle and Brighton. But the US was at home and that difference shouldn't be 5-1.

[@casonwoody]

Spot on with the idea of the players liking the coach. When i think back to the leaders I had when i was a younger man, the ones i "liked" we're the ones who expected the least from me. No need to reach for a higher level.

[@flyingpig9406]

Unfortunately I think it is time to recognize the Greg is not the right coach. The wake up call was not Columbia, The wake up call was the squeaker against Jamaca's B team at home. Columbia is the your late for work because you missed the wake up call. I actually believed that Gregg could get the job done but the evidence is now too overwhelming. Sorry Gregg it is time to move on.

[@jpminick9684]

I really appreciate your measured train of thought on this. Thanks for the vid!

[@JakeLandau]

My pleasure!

[@carlosagiljr1467]

First of all don't underestimate your opponent especially Colombia. And this is always been my question why don't we hire a world-class coach from South America or from Europe 🤔

[@dagosegovia843]

First they dont want the job bc theres no prestige in managing usmnt, its like asking guardiola to manage idk sevilla. And second money, as mcbride said ussf doesnt have money to pay 10million a year.

[@carlosagiljr1467]

@@dagosegovia843 Understood! Maybe its's time to change things up.

[@dagosegovia843]

@@carlosagiljr1467 there has to be an American coach more capable than Berhalter, i mean jesse was available but he wasnt given the chance and he would have been perfect.

[@davidvandruff9368]

Yessss, you finally got there Jake. So many of us have been calling for a "New Coach". You not so much but I see the change coming. Good for you. Every camp has seen less cohesive team. The exact opposite of what we should be seeing. A new coach would bring a new system, hopefully one that fits the players style not the coaches. Not like what we've seen from Greggs two tenures. Lets pray US Soccer doesn't stuff their heads in the sand for the 1000th time.

[@rizzorizzo2311]

Look, I know the coach can’t make the plays for the players, they’re ultimately responsible for the mistakes that are made during the game. But the manager absolutely can be held accountable for the attitude of the team during the game. He can absolutely be held responsible for failing to change tactics that are CLEARLY not working. How many goals came from us trying to build out of the back and people either have complete lapses in awareness or just completely ignore opposing players? It reminded me of Brazils collapse against Germany at the end of the game. Columbia were breaking us down like we only had 5 guys on the field. He says it’s lack of respect? That’s 100% on him. If he cannot get his players mentally prepared to play a team that’s as hot as Columbia then what the fuck is he doing here? If you’re the USMNT coach you are going to have to punch above your weight class any time you play teams that aren’t in our confederation; that’s just the reality. CONCACAF is nowhere near being a top confederation, especially since Mexico has fallen off considerably. I saw someone on reddit point out that the players likely wanted Gregg to come back because a lot of the guys know that means they won’t have to work hard to keep their spot, he has his favorites. I think that lack of actual competition for roster spots it’s hurting us too, that’s also on GGG.

[@theclaudiacpu]

Hi… I can feel your love for this amazing game of futbol… I love it too… In my opinion US team is not used to play to Comebol teams… and like Mexico, believe they are playing so much better than they actually does… I hope this is an awaking call and change the attitude…

[@TheReverses78]

It was no wake up call! It was a humiliation just like the 7-1 brazil took at home......

[@liverpool12thman]

Good content! Re-watched to drop another like.

[@JakeLandau]

Much appreciated!

[@GTsmoothMoney]

You hit on a great point at 7:40 ish. It has ALWAYS been very important for Gregg to feel liked. I believe this is inseparable from how he was hired (both times) and maybe some insecurity therein. I also think it is also one of the reasons USSF PR and Comms really try to insulate him. I don't think you can be a great coach if being liked is in the top 5 things that are most important to you. The focus on the shoes, the mugs, the behind the back passes, and the alienating of any dissenting voices are all evidence to this point

[@colinreese]

Jake, I watched the first half again last night. It looked like the U.S. was circulating the ball much better & much faster than normal. The difference between the U.S. and the really technical South American teams is that if you play for Colombia, you can hit a toe poke and your teammate's face 30 yards away and they'll control it with ease. LOL. Alexis Sanchez & Arturo Vidal used to hit toe pokes in the air to each other just to move the ball faster. Back to the U.S., Colombia releases passes half a second faster than the U.S., plus the attacking looks to be better, but our good attackers don't get enough chances.

[@brianmcclure1090]

Good takes.

[@DammitBobby]

Can we get Patrick Viera still?

[@mercster]

Thanks for the fix! Had to abandon last one. 👍

[@JakeLandau]

No problem 👍

[@jeanpierrecastro4872]

Great analysis!

[@nFWAYGo]

Imagine being hired because of a vigorous exam, the same exam that Greg made lol

[@thomasglaysher2889]

We should all watch how Atlético de Madrid’s coach Diego Simeone plays. We should be playing a 5-3-2 or a 5-2-3. The opponents are very strong at this level and we should be playing with more humility, patience, and with a more defense-first w/ counterstrike / build-up mindset.

[@toddcuddington824]

I'd just really love to watch someone analyze the play of the guys on the field. These two things can both be true: 1. This is the best team the US has ever fielded, by a wide margin. 2. We're also not good enough to expect to beat world top 20 teams. Occasionally - sure! It's so puzzling to me to watch so many people who expect to go from a bad team to to top-tier in 6 years. It's just unreasonable. We are still a baby program.

[@BarDownBully2508]

Dito on Scally. Biggest worry going in and the only bright spot. Did NOT have that on my BINGO card

[@JakeLandau]

Haha exactly

[@joesantos-ee4yo]

I apologize but your logic regarding the this US pool is mistaken. This pool is talented but it is hardly at the level that it needs to be. The clubs our players play at is a function of marketing dollars and has nothing to do with their talent. As long as they don’t hurt their clubs it is a financially driven decision. The reality is we were lucky as it could have easily been 8 or 9 to 2. The players played like crap missed marks were lost on the field and gave up because they were out matched. This has nothing to do with respecting the opponent. The opponent is world class.

[@Leandro.Patagonia]

food for thought.. Everyone in Colombia knew about the match and watched it live. Many American "soccer" enthusiasts didn't watched the game live, some didn't even knew there was a match going on... You are just not passionate enough.. you don't care enough to win.

[@djhz2001]

I posted a long comment in the previous version of this video, but I did not save it, so I will be shorter this time since I don't want to write all that again. Welcome to the club! I have been asking for Berhalter to be replaced since way before the World Cup. I know that you like to give the benefit of the doubt to people. I am originally from Peru, and having seen some pretty terrible and stubborn coaches there, perhaps I have less patience for Berhalter, maybe because I recognized the pattern earlier and intuitively knew where this was heading. Reasons for firing Berhalter are: - He is stubborn: Does not want to change his system and will even sacrifice players before changing his system. For instance, he insisted to play Gio Reyna on the right when everyone was calling for him to play centrally. Mr BJ played Reyna centrally during last year's Nation League, and it worked well. That is the only reason Berhalter now plays Reyna centrally. He refused to change it before, and he even left Reyna out of the starters at the World Cup because he favored Weah at that position. - He is clueless about the readout of the game: Remember the "we were dominant" when we lost to Canada? Today he did something similar, just like many other times. - He gets outcoached more than he should, or as Herculez Gomez said once, he gets his lunch eaten by other coaches like Hugo Perez, John Herdman, Louis van Gaal, and many others, including this Saturday by Nestor Lorenzo). - His team plays terribly against weaker opponents: Loss to Trinidad and Tobago last year; being seconds away from being eliminated from Nations League by Jamaica's B team earlier this year, etc, being outplayed by Uzbekistan last year, etc, etc, etc. - He is clueless about his own players' strengths and weaknesses: He insists on playing from the back even though Turner is not very good with his feet, and other defenders like ARob are not very good at playing from the back either (he is welcome to try it on weaker opponents, and I wish we could, but there are levels to master this). He insists on sending crosses from the wings to the box when he has a short center forward like Balogun (at half time against Colombia, I believe he said we needed more crosses even though Balogun was the center forward). Tim Weah kept trying to dribble throughout the match even though we quickly saw that he couldn't. The Colombian defenders took the ball from Weah like a toddler whenever he tried to dribble, not to mention that one of Colombian goals came from Weah trying to dribble Colombian players on his own half! Didn't Berhalter tell him anything at half time? - The team seems to be playing worse as time passes. As you mentioned, all this comes from the top. From the way Berhalter was initially hired, to the way he was rehired. The USSF claimed that they used data analysis and various metrics to determine the best fit for the position, and that Berhalter came out as the ideal candidate for this current cycle. They later admitted that the parameters for the data and metrics were set using Berhalter as the model. No surprise that he came out as the ideal candidate. Then you have the fact that there does not seem to be ambition in the USSF. The 2026 World Cup is a unique opportunity for the USMNT to advance further than ever in a World Cup. If there is something any USMNT has not been able to do before is to play well on away matches. To play at home is a massive advantage. For an opportunity like this one that comes only once every certain number of decades, if I was at the USSF, I would try to get the best possible to ensure maximum success. Canada is broke, but they hired Jesse Marsch via a sponsorship by Canadian MLS teams, and I bet they are paying him considerably more than the USSF is paying Berhalter. Aside of the concerns about the MLS sponsorship deal and the apparent corruption at Canada Soccer that left them on the brink of bankruptcy, they made an effort to get someone within their possibilities who could deliver results for their World Cup at home. The Peruvian Football Federation hired Ricardo Gareca as national team coach agreeing to pay him 1.2 million a year, but they supplemented his earnings through a deal with sponsors that made his earnings about 3.7 million a year. He is basically the only reason Peru went to the 2018 World Cup. Now the US is a massive country with an economy in the trillions of dollars, but the USSF is incapable or unwilling to bring a prestigious coach via a sponsorship? If Peru can afford 3.7 million through a sponsorship, the US should be able to gather at least 10 million a year. MY GOD!!! MLS brought Messi to the US via a sponsorship deal as well. Zero interest or ambition from the USSF. Finally, a coach does not need 5 years to make a team play well. Look at Jesse Marsch against France. Then anyone may tell me that he has good players at his disposal. The defenders that Gareca had at his disposal with the Peruvian National Team came mainly from the Peruvian League. The teams in the Peruvian League have been getting trounced every certain time by Brazilian and Argentinian teams for many years now, and more recently by Colombian and Ecuadorian teams. The Peruvian National Team defense did not hold any water for many decades. Ricardo Gareca arrived as head coach, and he fixed things relatively quickly. The defense was solid, and this is one of the big reasons Peru made it to the 2018 World Cup. Peruvian defenders used to make a lot of mistakes. That was significantly reduced with Gareca as head coach. And of course, the team played far greater than the sum of its parts, which cannot be said about Gregg's USMNT. Regardless of everything that I have explained above, I don't believe that Berhalter will be fired, and most likely, he will remain as coach until the end of the 2026 World Cup.

[@JakeLandau]

Thanks so much for recommenting, and I agree with a lot of your take. It's tough to see us have ambition on the women's side, or the Canadian MLS teams paying for Jesse Marsch... the USMNT does not have that same ambition from top to bottom.

[@LuisBlancoAustin]

Nice, well thought-out, and insightful commentary!

[@maudalmusicalmachines3541]

Your second "conversation " is more evidence for the first. Berhalter failed to prepare this team. As for his press conference - Berhalter's superpower is blame deflection. Look... Americans love a winner. Americans hate losers. But more than that... Americans will not tolerate being humiliated, or even just embarrassed. The USWNT is *never* subjected to our fans being outnumberd by the fans of other countries *in our own home* . How many #11 Milan shirts does Christian Pulisic sell? And how many #10 USMNT shirts does he sell? Same for all the rest of our European players. My point is that we absolutely love our players and follow them fanatically at their clubs. Because they're winners. *And that is worth a boatload of money* . Why are so many US businessmen and coalitions buying European footie teams? Why are so many media companies paying huge money for the US tv rights? Why have European teams made a habit now of doing US tours in the summer? And why are both the Premier league and the Champions league proposing competitive matches in the US??? Because it's worth a boatload of money. The sport is growing in America faster than any other sport or in any part of the world. So why did Wrexham, a lower tier Welsh team outdraw any USMNT match in this country in the last several years? Because Americans Do Not Trust the USMNT to Not Embarrass us. The US soccer Federation is throwing hundreds of millions of dollars away because of their toxic insistence on keeping Greggg Berhalter as manager. Maybe... just maybe... if they get that shoved in their faces often enough... they might hire a manager that our players and our fans deserve.

[@maudalmusicalmachines3541]

Johnny's play that led to a goal was *not* on him. It was on all the players standing around him who *did not communicate* to him that an opponent was coming up on his ass. Same thing with Robinson's mistake on the 1st goal. No one told him to let the pass go; that there was no danger. That lack of communication was across the whole team and throughout the match. *That* is on the coach. Speaking of communication... Berhalter was mic'd up, and in the entire match they only broadcast 1 short snippet which consisted of some "c'mon c'mon"s to a couple players but communicated exactly nothing. I suspect that the reason why that was all we heard from Berhalter mic'd up is that that's all there was there ain't no more. The most telling thing I've heard analysts say is that there has been *zero progress* since the Netherlands embarrassed us with the exact same goal 3 times in the same WC match that knocked us out.

[@maudalmusicalmachines3541]

Also... I've *hated* that shirt the second I first saw it and if we want to talk about disrespect let's talk about *that* . We are the *United* States of America. This is the *USMNT* . I don't know who came up with that shirt but it needs to be trashed.

[@TheWatchingCrows]

I thought Bruce arena was smoker crack when he said the ‘02 would beat the current one. He might actually have a point.

[@JakeLandau]

They weren’t better players but they definitely could beat this team.

[@Dave-fp3uh]

I don’t think the US Soccer Federation will do much about it. I have also seen some commentators note that we are essentially hamstrung to picking a new coach since their salary cannot be more than the women’s coach due to the ‘equal pay’ agreement they have, so this rules out expensive coaches like Jurgen Klopp

[@gustavovz8431]

Jake, I'm a big fan and I always enjoy your shows. Great show today. I always appreciate your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your fair-mindedness Our current situation with the men's team is very very bleak approaching 6 years now and the same old same old with this coach. This coach is very monolithic and he is not going to change his style. We might get out of group only because the teams in there are really bad. This guy was the worst pick that could have made and as almost all of us know it was based on nepotism not talent OR ability. I don't think that even if Brazil lays the would that they're going to change coaches this federation is corrupt to the core and doesn't care about product on the field

[@JakeLandau]

It's tough because this team will make it out of the group. Then if we lose in the quarters against Brazil or Colombia we're going to be in the same loop where he stays in his job but the fans aren't happy.

[@gustavovz8431]

@@JakeLandau I completely agree. The chances are we'll make it out of group but even if we do it's highly highly unlikely that this team with this coach will be Brazil or Columbia in a do or die game as you know that's a whole different level of competition. Also if they do make it out of group that's enough reason for this federation to keep berhalter

[@bradensmith8006]

Johnny is a baller besides that giveaway he basically carried the midfield the whole game

[@ozrix05]

Gregg doesn't put the players in the best position to win. It's always about his system playing out the back, passing the ball around. That works if we have players that can do that, but we don't. I hear pundits say, "Why are Scally and Johnny so slow on the build?" But I think this is what Gregg wants. Until we get a federation that takes soccer seriously, we will never live up to the fans' expectations.

[@wildmancan400]

While watching the match, we looked out coached, during the last World Cup we got out coached, it seems like time and time again we are out coached when Berhalter is the man in charge. Everyone hypes his tactics, but seeing Columbia use a basic midfield press technique and us not be able to react and interact with any sort of intensity or intentionality was embarrassing. We have talent, but they are not being used in a structure or a system that highlights the players and constantly tried to sell us on a coach that is unimpressive as he tries to mimic Pep tactics without any of the preparation, coaching skill, and depth. USSF as an organization needs to look in the mirror and realize it isn’t the players alone, it is the entire form and structure of an organization that is nepotistic in the worst ways, and simply isn’t inspiring the fans or players to be anything other than a large third rate international side. We have to have some intensity, some passion, but also someone that actually understands personnel and matches tactics instead of playing along the statistical margins and minutiae that genuinely doesn’t get this nation to the best level possible. We bragged pregame about 11 top-5 league starters, and got outclassed by a scrappy and bold team.

[@luizm-s9t]

If it helps, Brazil is still recovering from the WC Qualifiers' debacle, so there's still hope to put up a good fight, at the very least. We might even be slightly inferior to Colombia as of now.

[@didier_777]

It's up to the fan base to call for GGG's resignation. We need to start a petition.

[@rochesterjohnny7555]

nah they are never going to get rid of him unless he wants a different job, no one has better job security than Berhalter, as long as he makes the first round knockout of tournaments he is going to be the coach for 20 years , I feel bad for the players.

[@gtaliente]

I will be shocked if Greg gets fired before 2026. Maybe if the US does not make it out of the group, but even then, I doubt it.

[@JakeLandau]

If we fail to advance from the group I really have no doubt that he’s gone.

[@gtaliente]

@@JakeLandau i was going to write I hope so, but I hope we do get out of the group. It’s funny but I have seen a lot of people say that the Colombia game was chocked full of errors but they fail to mention that when you don’t understand or buy into a strategy or set of tactics, then errors become common place. It’s not like the players are scrubs. For the most part they all play a part of some pretty big teams.

[@jackn4259]

Part of the problem in my opinion is that the fan base overrates a lot of our players. I mean player for player Columbia is better in almost every position and are a top team. This group has achieved about the same or less than previous generations of USMNT players. I mean I can go down the list of overrated players: -Turner is either 2nd or 3rd choice keeper at Forest -Adams is on the treatment table more often than not -Reyna couldn't get a game ahead of Morgan Gibbs-White at Forest -Tim Ream isn't getting any younger although he's had an excellent career The list goes on.

[@jswhitcombvideos]

He’s the kind of coach you use for a team that gets to practice together all the time and they don’t have that luxury and won’t ever…so get with the times and find a coach who can squeeze everything out of the talent that comes together infrequently or take a totally different approach and do a Herbie like the Olympic Hockey team with a bunch of hungry no namers!

[@c.d714]

GGG did well enough. But he's reached his ceiling with this team. Its ok to recognize that youve reached your limit.

[@yddubbud8229]

if this is his well enough, he is embarrassingly mediocre

[@loganhill6601]

Fan level on GGG: the chair and the room it's in is on fire Media/federation on GGG: all is good the players love him We don't need that we need a manager that will kick this team in the ass and get them playing well and can actually vary and change tactics

[@loganhill6601]

Gregg always has our fullbacks in bad areas he bombs them up the field immediately ruining space with the wingers and making it where they can't help build up and they are out of position on transition

[@loganhill6601]

And listening to GGG he has said that 3 of 4 defenders played really well in a 5-1 loss

[@shawnmonegain3783]

Here's a question??..what if the.level our players is not high enough to compete against the best ..to play the open style there using...

[@cjlad88]

You're finally seeing the light jake!! Lol

[@todwest]

We will not be rid of Derphalter before the '26 WC, and we'll be lucky to be rid of him after that. MLS needs a pliant stooge at selection time so they can market how great their 'top ten' league is at the tournament. That's what this has always been about. Count on at least 10 MLS selections in the final WC roster.

[@ogrsports9874]

A simple question is. Is Greg Berhalter getting the most out of the players? Is he using them to the best of their ability? If both answers to those questions are no. Then it’s time to move on. Every time we step up in competition, we drop the ball except for England.

[@bkbaughn]

Individual mistakes made, yes. Playing from the back was Berhalters decicion. We dont have the players do play the way that moron wants... crossing. Whos in the middle to put in crosses? Our defenders dont do well in tigh spaces... But Berhalter creates tigh spaces because of how he is asking these guy's to play... Also we werent competative against Germany or Netherlands... The best teams weve played outside of Mexico who arent even remotley good anymore... GGG hasnt beaten a quality opponent since what? Equador? And thats just Equador...

[@robertbush4808]

It is a shame you feel you have to temper your comments and connot speak you mind because USSF may withhold press credentials in the future. It says alot about how we got to this point.

[@JakeLandau]

I could genuinely be concerned about nothing, but I do want access to the team and federation and don’t want to ruffle a ton of feathers.

[@b.r.409]

You said Berhalter is soft on his players. I think there is some unhealthy leadership dynamics in this team. Berhalter kisses some of his big star’s asses, in return they are “loyal” to him. I can not believe Pulisic has defended Berhalter publicly.