Gregg Berhalter accused of 'wasting' USMNT golden generation after Copa America disaster as furious Clint Dempsey suggests no progress has been made since 2022 World Cup

The pressing issue surrounding Berhalter's future as the head coach of the USMNT became undeniable the moment the final whistle sounded on their 1-0 loss to Uruguay, which knocked them out of the Copa America. Mathias Olivera scored the only goal and despite a spirited atmosphere at Kansas City, the home fans were left in silence as the US team struggled to find an equaliser, let alone the two goals needed to advance to the knockout stages after Panama beat Bolivia 3-1.

FOX Sports analyst and USMNT icon Dempsey fired shots at Berhalter following the defeat as he remarked: "I'm at a loss for words, it's so frustrating. You have a team that you're rooting for and you want to do well... but where have we come since 2022? You qualify for the World Cup, get out of the group... and where have we progressed? We haven't. That's the most frustrating part. This is our golden generation and it looks like we're wasting it. 2026 is coming up, you're never going to get this opportunity again. '94 we had it, we're going to have it here, but then you don't know when that next time is going to come."

When asked if Berhalter should remain the USMNT's leader heading into 2026, Dempsey did not mince words. However, he expressed concern about the time it may take to go through another search process for Berhalter's replacement.

"We're not on the right track. It took too long to even do this search to then have him back. … How long is that process going to take if you do get another guy to come in?" he asked.

"Because you see how long it took last time, we don't have time. And who is someone that's good enough that can take us forward, that's out there waiting in the wings? Those are questions that the federation needs to figure out. But for me, [Berhalter] hasn't been good enough."

Find out the latest Copa America 2024 winner odds

U.S. Soccer has initiated a comprehensive review of the team's performance in Copa America and Berhalter's role as head coach. Berhalter, on his part, has remained defiant, asserting that he still believes he is the right man to lead the team despite the disappointing results.

With just two years until the United States hosts the 2026 World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico, the current state of the USMNT is concerning. The team’s performance at the Copa America has highlighted several areas that need urgent attention, from tactical approaches to player mentality. The early exit serves as a wake-up call, indicating that significant improvements are necessary to be competitive on home soil in 2026.