US soccer coach Gregg Berhalter angry over fatal move in team’s loss to Uruguay

U.S. men’s soccer coach Gregg Berhalter failed to win over many fans with a gesture during his team’s Copa America match against Uruguay at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri on Monday.

The U.S. entered the match tied in Group C standings with Panama, which was playing Bolivia at the same time. The U.S. only needed to match Panama’s result, as the Americans had a +3 goal difference before both matches began.

Panama started the match 1-0, but Bolivia managed to equalize in the 69th minute.

Berhalter appeared to have received the news of Bolivia’s goal midway through the game. He appeared to gesture to his team about the Panama-Bolivia update, holding up both index fingers to signal the score.

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Gregg Berhalter told his team the score of the 🇧🇴v🇵🇦 match.

10 seconds later Uruguay scores and the USA is eliminated 😂😂😂 photo.twitter.com/WFk7YXe4Xh

— Tomás Haaland🇳🇴🇲🇽 (@Tom__Haaland) July 2, 2024

A few seconds later, in the 66th minute, Uruguay scored the only goal of the match.

X fans attacked Berhalter for this move, which was symbolic of the team’s failure.

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Berhalter excitedly signaling the Bolivia score to his players seconds before conceding a goal is pretty symbolic of his entire tenure. Just accept mediocrity, or not celebrate it outright

— Andrew Joseph (@AndyJ0seph) July 2, 2024

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After 74 games under Gregg Berhalter, there is one constant: the team does not create chances. That is who they are. There is no logical way to believe that will change with more time.

All the whining tonight should not obscure what is abundantly clear: it is time for change.

— Kyle Bonagura (@BonaguraESPN) July 2, 2024

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Berhalter telling his team that Panama is 1-1 just before defending a free kick was not the best idea. All concentration was lost then. Looked offside from the given angles.

—Danny Higginbotham (@Higginbotham05) July 2, 2024

Panama eventually scored two more goals and won 3-1. A draw between the US and Uruguay was not enough for the Americans to advance to the group stage.

Berhalter wasn’t the only vilified figure at Arrowhead on Monday. Referee Kevin Ortega also drew the ire of fans and even had a contentious moment with US captain Christian Pulisic after the match.