USMNT: The minimum success at Gold Cup

The USMNT embark on this summer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup this weekend. But what constitutes success for Gregg Berhalter and his team in his first international tournament as head coach?

The CONCACAF Gold Cup is a much-discussed and sometimes maligned competition. In comparison to its European and South American counterparts, the quality level is extremely poor, and with the abolition of the Confederations Cup, the winner will not qualify for a major tournament.

Nevertheless, that does not mean that it does not carry importance for the U.S. Men’s National Team. First and foremost, it is a chance to prove that they are the best team in the CONCACAF region. Many of the North American and Carribean nations may not pose much of a threat in this instance, but Mexico are one of the better teams in world football. They are a terrific test for the USMNT.

Moreover, this summer’s Gold Cup, which commences this weekend, is the ideal litmus test for the Gregg Berhalter era. Six months in. The first competitive tournament as head coach. This is a major competition for Berhalter and his team to prove themselves.

With that being said, then, what would constitute success for this iteration of the USMNT? What would a successful Gold Cup campaign look like?

Given the quality of the teams that partake in the Gold Cup, Berhalter should be looking to go very far in the competition. The U.S. are seeded second based on their world ranking, behind Mexico, who are the unquestioned favourites, and just ahead of Costa Rica, and are the defending champions with a young, bright emerging team, even without Tyler Adams.

As such, Berhalter should be looking to get his team to the final of the Gold at the very least. With Mexico, Canada and Costa Rica all in the other half of the draw, the toughest opposition in the USMNT half of the competition is Honduras. A final appearance, then, is certainly on the cards.

More from MLS Multiplex

• Javier Milei Elected in Argentina: Potential Impacts on MLS and Signings of Argentine Players
• Orlando City and New York City FC in the Battle for Matías Arezo; Grêmio Enters Negotiations! Who Will Come Out on Top?
• USA, Honduras, Panama, and Canada Close in on a Spot in the 2024 Copa America
• De Gea Turns Down Al-Nassr’s Lucrative Offer: Speculation Points to Possible Reunion with Messi at Inter Miami
• Messi’s Magnetic Impact in the United States

That, however, does not mean that Berhalter and his players can grow complacent. Jamaica are also in the same half of the draw and we all know what happened the last time those two teams met. Just a matter of days ago, the U.S. lost to a bunch of USL players in one of the worst performances in recent memory. It may have been a friendly with a second team featuring, but the U.S. were played off the park. That cannot happen again.

For Berhalter, then, the main task is to avoid a lapse, complacent attitude. Oddly enough, the warm-up losses to Jamaica and Venezuela, although seemingly not ideal preparation on the face o it, could end up being beneficial to the USMNT, shaking them into form and mental sharpness. If the U.S. fall to Mexico in the final, that would be disappointing but understandable. Until that point, though, there is no margin for error.

It is the final or bust for Gregg Berhalter and the USMNT. That is what constitutes Gold Cup success. Now they just have to execute.