Janice R. Andrews
Missouri’s KANSAS CITY — They are players for some of Europe’s most prestigious clubs, including many Premier League teams, Monaco, AC Milan, Juventus, PSV Eindhoven, Borussia Dortmund, and Celtic. There is an unmatched sense of enthusiasm and promise surrounding this “golden generation” of American soccer. They have participated in leagues never before visited by male American soccer players: the German Bundesliga and the La Liga in Spain.
However, they were left battered and broken after losing 1-0 to Uruguay on a hard Monday night at Arrowhead Stadium, which resulted in their elimination from the 2024 Copa América. With their eyes searching for answers to the issue that would soon arise: What went so blatantly wrong for the U.S. men’s national team (USMNT)? their bodies slumped on the turf as the final whistle blew.
As head coach Gregg Berhalter was viewed, eyes turned to him from living rooms around Kansas City. However, once the dust settled, attention turned to the players as well. Are they really as good as so many say they are, or have their European clubs’ reputations fooled us?
The reality is complex. They still haven’t reached their full ability, but they have potential. They may not have lived up to the high expectations placed on them, especially in light of the 2026 World Cup’s imminence.
Real Performance vs. European Prestige
Fifteen of the 26 players who competed in the Copa América played in one of the top five European leagues the previous season. There were three Champions League players. In the English FA Cup quarterfinals and semifinals, one player even scored vital goals. Sergiño Dest, a fullback who participated in the Champions League as well, was injured and missed the Copa.
But how many of these guys are mainstays in their teams’ starting lineups? While Christian Pulisic has made a name for himself, not many others have done the same. An exception is Antonee Robinson, who starts every game for his Premier League team.
It’s not so much their current skill level but their potential that has landed many USMNT players at elite teams. This exodus to Europe also reflects a wider acceptance of American talent, driven by a revamped youth pipeline that has generated players who are more tactically and technically skilled than those from prior generations.
The Way Ahead
This is still the most talented bunch of American athletes that has ever been put together. They proved their mettle in Qatar, where they advanced as the youngest team to the World Cup knockout stages. It seemed reasonable to be optimistic about a successful home World Cup performance in 2026, with aspirations of reaching the quarterfinals or maybe the semifinals.
But hopes for rapid, significant advancement were unfounded. There is still over two years until the 2026 World Cup, so major progress is possible but not certain.
Mentoring and Training
The USMNT’s lackluster performance indicates that a coaching change is urgently needed. Even while players dominate international soccer, coaching has a significant influence that cannot be understated. The club might be able to reach its full potential under a new coach, something Berhalter has not always been able to do.
Berhalter’s failures were not the only reason for the team’s Copa América departure. “I don’t think this tournament really had anything to do with the staff or the tactics,” observed Gio Reyna. A red card and the team’s incapacity to overcome numerical disadvantages against weaker teams like Panama or outplay elite teams like Uruguay, Brazil, or Colombia contributed to their downfall.
Some contend that their failure was caused in part by the players’ overconfidence and the consistency of Berhalter’s starting lineup. However, these problems do not represent insurmountable barriers to success in the future.
Considering 2026 Up Front
Even after missing out on Copa América, the USMNT still has time to improve. With the exception of Costa Rica, they were the second-youngest team in the competition. Tim Weah, 24, who is on suspension, was one of the 14 outfield players who participated on Monday; thirteen of them were 26 years of age or younger.
A few athletes are getting close to reaching their prime, such as Robinson and Weston McKennie. While some, like Tyler Adams and Reyna, have been limited by injury, they still have a lot of promise if they can stay healthy. The 22-year-old Folarin Balogun has what it takes to become a top striker. Dest, 23, and Yunus Musah, 21, ought to keep growing and healing from wounds.
The USMNT is far from a World Cup semifinal in their current configuration. However, a lot can happen in the following two years. The group has more than 23 months to hone their abilities, forge their own identity, and rise to the upcoming difficulties.
“Until then, we have time to get better,” Pulisic said after the game. “I believe we all need to take a step back and rediscover who we are. .. What’s lacking, exactly, I’m not sure. However, I believe we are headed in the right direction and that good things are ahead of us.
The USMNT will find great value in the lessons they gained from their disappointing Copa América campaign as they get ready for the 2026 World Cup. They can live up to the great expectations made of them and have a big influence on the global scene with time, development, and maybe new leadership.
