Coach Gregg Berhalter claimed that Saturday’s 5-1 humiliation by Colombia at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland, served as a “wake-up call” for the US men’s national soccer team ahead of this summer’s Copa America.
The U.S. suffered their worst defeat under Berhalter after committing a string of careless mistakes that allowed them to give up two goals in the first 19 minutes and three in the last 13.
The last time the United States had conceded as many goals in a World Cup match—a 5-1 loss to Czechoslovakia in 1990—was in the 2009 Concacaf Gold Cup final against Mexico. The U.S. Soccer Federation fired coach after the Americans’ first four-goal setback since a 4-0 loss in a 2016 World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica.
“We’re not presenting it as a knowledge gained. In fact, we are presenting it as a wake-up call. At his press conference following the game, Berhalter stated, “Really poor performance against a top team.” “From the 75th minute on, it was I think a lack of respect for our opponent, the game of soccer and what we were doing.”
“If you’re going to compete at this level, there are some obvious things that you have to address,” he continued. Men just did not perform their duties. It has to do with your obligation and role, and we didn’t fulfill it.”
Four goals were scored in the lopsided match as a result of a defensive blunder by Antonee Robinson and careless defensive play by Johnny Cardoso, Timothy Weah, and Cameron Carter-Vickers. After Tim Ream was unable to clear a corner, Rafael Borré scored the opposite goal with an overhead kick that went past goalie Matt Turner.
“Everyone needs to look in the mirror after that game and figure it out because, obviously, we weren’t to the level that’s required,” Turner stated to TNT Sports.
He went on, “I’m going to apologize to the fans.” That is not our purpose. Indeed, we must make a significant comeback.”
After Jhon Arias and Borré had opened the scoring for Colombia, Weah’s strike in the 58th minute gave the home team a fleeting sense of optimism. However, an 11-minute span late in the game saw Richard Rios, Jorge Carrascal, and Luis Sinisterra all find the net, much to the pleasure of the 55,494 pro-Colombian spectators wearing yellow jerseys.
“Certainly, as a coaching staff, we accept accountability. “We cannot solely blame the players for this,” stated Berhalter. “This game will help us understand that when we don’t do the things we’re supposed to do, we’ll get hurt really quickly.”
The United States will play another friendly against Brazil on Wednesday in Orlando, Florida. On June 23, the team will play Bolivia in its Copa America opening. Matches against Panama and Uruguay will follow. The United States is one of six nations invited to the championship competition in South America.
Following a 1-0 loss to Argentina in a World Cup qualifying match on February 1, 2022, Colombia increased its winning streak to seven and its undefeated run to 22. On June 15, Colombia will play Bolivia in an exhibition match in Denver. After that, it will play Paraguay, Costa Rica, and Brazil in a first-round group. Colombia and the United States may play in the quarterfinals.
