Gregg Berhalter on Bielsa’s Uruguay: “They are going to be a really aggressive team”

After learning his fate for the group stage of the Copa América 2024, Gregg Berhalter spoke with the media about the challenges that the United States National Team will face, placing the emphasis on sharing Group C with the Uruguayan National Team of Marcelo Bielsa, historic South American technical director.

The USMNT coach spoke to Fox Soccer and said: “We always knew that it was a possibility [to have Uruguay in the sector]. That was obviously the hardest team in pool 2, but for me it is an opportunity. They’re going to be a very aggressive team, it will be a really good challenge for our group and we play them on the final day of group phase, so it could set the stage.”

The coach, who led the team in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, highlighted what they have to do in the first games to then clash with the Uruguayans: “It depends. For us, in a way, we’re controlling our own destiny by playing them last. If you take care of business in the first two games, which will be difficult games, you set up winner takes all, and you know what’s lurking around the corner in Group D, so you want to try to finish first.”

He said the latter in a joking tone because “what’s lurking around the corner in Group D” is potentially Brazil or Colombia. Considering how the Brazilians are playing now, and that the Colombian National Team is playing well with Argentine coach Néstor Lorenzo, the USMNT would clash, in any case, with a very tough opponent.

Berhalter's statements on Brazil and Colombia

The USMNT could potentially face La Canarinha and Los Cafeteros, so Berhalter said: “When you look at it, Brazil is one of the favorites to win the tournament, so it’s going to be a great challenge in that next round, so you’d like to play with them in the semi-finals. But we’ll take whoever we have to take.”

Berhalter on meeting Panama

The ‘Concacaf Giant’ will face the Panama National Team in Group C, so being familiar with them is an important aspect: “We know them well, but they’re a good team. I think they’re probably the most improved team in all of Concacaf over the last couple years, a well-coached team [by Thomas Christiansen], good athletes, very aggressive on crosses and offensive transition.”