USMNT told to 'put up or shut up' as Alexi Lalas warns Christian Pulisic & Co they won't be able to 'blame' Gregg Berhalter for Copa America failure

Lalas is never shy of giving his opinion and has sent out a clear warning to the United States ahead of the 2024 Copa America. The former USMNT star believes it's time for the Stars and Stripes to deliver on the pitch and feels there can be no excuses from the players or fingers pointed at the coaching staff if they come up short.

The USMNT has struggled against top opposition but now boast a squad packed full of talented players plying their trade across Europe in the shape of stars such as Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Gio Reyna, Folarin Balogun and Tim Weah. The Copa America presents Gregg Berhalter's team with an excellent opportunity to see how they are shaping up against quality opposition ahead of co-hosting the 2026 World Cup. Yet the team head into the tournament after two very mixed results. The USMNT were embarrassed in a 5-1 defeat to Colombia but then turned in an encouraging display in a 1-1 draw with Brazil.

He told The Athletic: "We’re letting the players off the hook a bit when we constantly talk about the coach. They have been given every benefit, every resource. Nothing has been spared from an early age. It is fair for us to expect more out of them individually and collectively. They’re no longer teenagers. Some of them play for the best teams and in the best leagues in the world. It’s time to put up or shut up.

“We put a lot of emphasis on coaching — and I’m not saying they can’t have an effect — but this is a players’ game. When that whistle blows, you get to decide what happens and the onus is on you. And if you want it, that’s great. If you don’t, then don’t blame the coach.”

Berhalter's team kick off their Copa America campaign on Saturday against Bolivia. The Stars and Stripes then go on to face Panama and Uruguay in the group stages.