United States blasted for 'insecurity and inferiority complex' as ex-USMNT star Alexi Lalas defends country's players and coaches after Copa America humbling

The USMNT lost to Uruguay and Panama in the group stages of the Copa America, having opened their campaign with a 2-0 win over Bolivia. Their humiliating exit led to the departure of Gregg Berhalter as coach, and Lalas has now taken aim at the culture in the country, insisting an "inferiority complex" is to blame for their recent struggles, as fans "degrade" their best players.

The USMNT are ranked 11th in the world by FIFA; by comparison, Panama are 43rd and Uruguay are 14th. Although they won the CONCACAF Nations League in March, their most recent tournament showing may see them tumble down the standings.

Lalas wrote on X: "Our American soccer insecurity and inferiority complex is nothing new. We've long degraded/devalued our own American soccer players, coaches, and culture out of some misguided belief that our relative late entry into the world's game somehow makes us unworthy. We need to stop."

The USMNT must find a new manager before their next fixture on September 8, when they play Canada in a friendly. They have already been turned down by ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp after making contact with the German.