Alexi Lalas has hit out at the U.S. men’s national team for a “shameful and embarrassing” performance against Colombia on Saturday.
The USMNT suffered a humiliating 5-1 defeat in a Copa América warm-up, as Los Cafeteros scored three late goals to turn a one-goal lead into a blowout at Commanders Field in Landover, Maryland.
On his “State of the Union” podcast, Lalas held nothing back when reviewing a match that has ramped up the pressure on the team and coach Gregg Berhalter.
“This was a shameful and embarrassing, and to be quite honest, an unacceptable performance,” the former USMNT defender said.
“We were all looking for a reason to believe in this team. For some, a reason to believe in this team again. For some, a reason to believe in the team for the first time. Against elite competition with [World Cup] ’26 in the background, and not only did they not give us that, but the way in which they performed — and I use that term very loosely — I think gives a lot of people pause, and I think brings up a lot of questions.”
Though this group of U.S. players contains many who ply their trade at some of Europe’s biggest clubs, Lalas said there was no evidence of that kind of experience during the game against Colombia.
“There was no authority on the field and when I say authority, I mean authority that comes from a maturity that you expect from some of these players given their pedigree. And there was certainly no confidence/swagger.”
After the game against Colombia, the USMNT now has arguably an even bigger challenge. Berhalter’s side will face Brazil in Orlando on Wednesday in its final tune-up friendly before the Copa América kicks off.
Watch Lalas slam USMNT display vs. Colombia
🎙️ @AlexiLalas reacts to the USMNT’s big loss vs Colombia 🇺🇸🇨🇴 pic.twitter.com/mTonj2IVA2
— Alexi Lalas’ State of the Union Podcast (@SOTUWithAlexi) June 10, 2024
[lawrence-related id=75120,75090,75070]