Berhalter Stresses Performance Over Outcome In USA's Approach Against Brazil
United States head coach Gregg Berhalter has emphasised that player performance will take precedence over the result in their upcoming friendly against Brazil. This statement comes after the USA's 5-1 defeat to Colombia in Maryland, marking their heaviest loss since 2016. The defeat has reignited doubts among supporters regarding the squad's ability to compete with top international teams.
Despite the setback, Berhalter remains committed to his team's preparation for the 48th edition of the Copa America. "We want to gain information on both Brazil and our own players, so we have to be brave and continue with our plan," said Berhalter. He acknowledged the external pressure following the heavy defeat but reiterated that the focus remains on preparing for Copa America.
The USA will begin their Group C campaign against Bolivia, who won the tournament in 1963. They will then face Panama and Uruguay, aiming to replicate their semi-final run from 2016. Berhalter stated that he and his coaching staff will prioritise performance over results against Brazil in Florida on Wednesday. The USA has not beaten Brazil since 1998, with an aggregate scoreline of 8-28 in favour of the South American team.
"If we look after the game and see 11 guys, 16 guys, performing at an eight out of 10 level, that will be enough," Berhalter said. "We know Brazil is a very good team, but for us, it's about how we perform at our highest level against teams like this."
The friendly match against Brazil is seen as a crucial step in assessing both the strengths and weaknesses of the squad ahead of Copa America. The coaching staff aims to use this opportunity to gather valuable insights that will help fine-tune their strategies for the tournament.
As the USA prepares for their opening match against Bolivia, all eyes will be on how well they can bounce back from their recent defeat and demonstrate their readiness for Copa America. The focus remains on achieving high performance levels and gaining a deeper understanding of both their own capabilities and those of their opponents.
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