The USMNT triumphed in the CONCACAF Nations League once again but talisman Christian Pulisic has warned that the tournament win must be a springboard to further success.
Interim coach B.J. Callaghan and his players celebrated a second successive final victory in the competition, this time overcoming Canada by 2-0 in the showpiece. This came after a tense 3-0 win Mexico in the semi finals in which four players were sent off, with the game having to be stopped early due to homophobic chanting.
This is the second time The Stars and Stripes have come away with the trophy, with the team having won the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2021. They followed it up with a Gold Cup win in the same year, before a good showing in the World Cup in 2022.
Gregg Berhalter left his post at USMNT coach after the team's foray into the knockout rounds of the competition in Qatar following the conclusion of his contract. He has since been in limbo after an independent investigation was launched by US Soccer due to allegations of a domestic incident, which took place back in 1992.
The 49-year-old did co-operate with the investigation and issued a statement in January, where he stated that there "are zero excuses for my actions that night", adding that it was a 'single, isolated event". US Soccer eventually published its findings in March, concluding that there was no legal reason why the 44-time international could not return to his job in the future.
Now, the former USMNT has been reinstated ahead of the Gold Cup tournament, which will take place later in the year. Newly appointed U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker had resolved to bring in a new coach by August, with the likes of former Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira and ex-Leeds United head coach Jesse Marsch having been linked with the vacant job.
However, US Soccer has now ended back where it started and Barhalter will now be expected to oversee the USMNT's progress as they look towards Copa America, as well as the World Cup in 2026. With the US hosting the tournament alongside Canada and Mexico, they will not be required to qualify but expectations will likely be high, given the team's showing in Qatar and the fact it is on home soil for a first time since 1994.
The task now will be drumming up further support within the country ahead of what is likely to be a landmark tournament in 2026 Star man Pulisic has previously spoken about this being an ambition of the players, saying: "Maybe it hasn’t been the top sport back in the States and we want to change the way that the world sees American soccer – it’s one of our goals.
He also spoke of the need to bring the level of the team up to the standards set by other countries with a more illustrious heritage when it comes to football, saying: "We haven’t been at the level of some of these world powerhouses in recent decades, but we’ve had good teams with a lot of heart. We can take it to the next step – a successful World Cup would change a lot."
Following this most recent title, the Chelsea winger remains focused on building on this experience by trying to deliver more tournament success in the future. He added: "It's another step in the right direction. It's about these knockout games, Gold Cup and Copa America coming up."
