The USA men’s national team head coach Gregg Berhalter believes that his side can lift the gold cup in 2021 after qualifying for the final with a goal in the last minute by Gyasi Zardes against Qatar.
After the 1-0 victory over Qatar, Berhalter admitted that the road to the final has not been easy for the American team. The USMNT narrowly emerged as leaders of Group B before defeating Jamaica and Qatar by one goal each, but Berhalter claims they have the potential to overwhelm reigning champions Mexico on Sunday.
“It will not always be beautiful,” Berhalter said. “This game sometimes had similarities with the Canada game and then maybe not with the possession, but when things just did not go our way we fought back and I think it’s impressive.
“We are not ready, and that is the message to the team. It’s nice to make the final but we want to win the final, and our goal one is to win the Gold Cup. We said it before the Gold Cup and we say it again. ”
The USMNT list consists of younger players, with veterans Weston McKennie and Christian Pulisic with their respective teams to start the preseason. Despite his age and lack of experience, Berhalter has praised some figures for stepping up the challenge.
Sporting Kansas City player Gianluca Busio has found the spotlight during this tournament, in collaboration with Sebastian Lletget to find the net and flourish a game-winning partnership.
“I have been impressed by how close this group is together,” Berhalter said. “These are guys who just acknowledge each other’s achievements, call each other good plays and say they have to pick it up when it’s not good enough.
“There’s a lot of responsibility in this team, and I think anytime you have that you have a team that will dig and will fight.”
The American side will face Mexico on Sunday for their second tournament final in a row against the Concacaf rivals this summer. USMNT will try to take revenge on the current reigning champions of the Gold Cup after losing 2019 1-0.
