Why am I saying this?
Because even within that context it's possible and, frankly, necessary to thoughtfully criticize much (most?) of what's going on within U.S. Soccer and specifically with the MNT. And while I'm just a guy #onhere, I'd like to think I can move those of us who are both fans and advocates for American soccer into a better version of this conversation.
So, here we go.
Here's my basic Berhalter criticism: for a guy who was supposed to have a clear plan, and a systematic thought process, I'm more confused than ever about where the project is going and how we plan to get there. It's cognitive dissonance. #USMNT— Donald Norman (@dnld_nrmn) November 7, 2019
Gregg Berhalter was one of the two best realistic options to take over the MNT after Dave Sarachan's caretaker tenure. We can debate Jesse Marsch vs Berhalter, especially given Marsch's early success in Europe but let's not act like because Gregg's brother Jay is a top U.S. Soccer executive, he wasn't qualified then or now. So set the process concerns aside for the moment (Those are for another post).
What clearly isn't working is Gregg's ability to transfer what made him a successful club coach--remember we're talking about the first American to manage a professional team in Europe--to the international level.
What's confusing to me is why can't he do it (yet)?
By the end of his time at Columbus Crew, Berhalter's teams played with--perhaps--the clearest sense of identity in MLS. Highly respected coaches, like Tata Martino, Patrick Vieira, and the aforementioned Jesse Marsch are all on-record complimenting both the style of play, and the execution of those Columbus teams as some of the best they'd encountered. Point being: it's not as if Gregg doesn't know what he's doing.
So what are some possible explanations? I think there are versions of three possible answers:
- His preferred methods of playing and coaching need to change.
- The players aren't good enough.
- It will just take time.
Let's take those one at a time.
1. His preferred methods of playing and coaching need to change. Most international managers make the game as simple as possible (with a few notable exceptions). Berhalter isn't doing that. Given the extremely limited instructional time he has with his players, the often competing roles or expectations they have with their clubs, and the nature of tournament play he's simply asking too much of the "group." He's certainly tried to address this with extended camps, skype video sessions, etc. but players still exhibit role confusion on the field; lack game awareness; and, generally worse playing for the MNT than with their clubs. All of these things are evidence that the approach isn't effective.
2. The players aren't good enough. Much as we like to blame Berhalter, there is something to this. Brian Sciaretta's excellent article, "The Missing Years: US Soccer's Development Gap" is essential reading on this point. The age cohort (25-30) who should be leading the MNT are MIA. This has placed Berhalter in a no-win situation. Young players and prospects don't win at the Senior International level. They just don't. And yet the u23's are, by far, our best players. He's clearly trying to integrate the young players with veterans in a way that doesn't ruin their long term advancement. One can argue with his methodology, clearly it's not getting great results, but to argue that rolling out a u23 roster for the next 18 months is his best option is a non-starter.
3. It will just take time. Think of the Dutch or the Spanish national teams. They play with a signature system based on their aesthetic understanding of how the game should be played. (Brazil is in a bit of a different category for me, but I'd be fine if you included them in this group.) This is more-or-less what Berhalter has set out to accomplish. (i) It's is a very exclusive group who've achieved Sr. Team success playing in a very idealistic way. Notice, France, Portugal, Germany, England, et al aren't in this group. (ii) Success for these 'aesthetically idealistic" teams has been inextricably linked to generational talents more so than to the "system." (iii) It's taken decades of coherent, national, effort to create these identities and the structures to identify and train players to live into their country's soccer worldview. (iv) In each of these examples, overall national identity is deeply connected to the sport of soccer. None of this is impossible in the U.S. but even the most ardent supporters have to confess we're nowhere close on any of these things, and it's going to take a lot longer than the Berhalter era to get there.
Something can be more than one thing, and I think all three of these explain Berhalter's struggles. That's not super satisfying, and I think it builds more of a case than I originally expected for keeping Berhalter regardless of the medium-term struggles: he needs to grow/adapt into the job, our best players simply need time to mature, and US Soccer needs to get its sh*t together. None of that will be accelerated by firing Gregg.
I'll admit, I'd like there to be a fast-track through this era of U.S. Soccer that doesn't include the frustration of an incompetent federation and coach who needs to grow on the job, but I don't see a realistic path forward that avoids these realities.
