Copa America: Turner on USA critics: Do not lose sight of consequence

ATLANTA — United States goalkeeper Matt Turner mentioned on Tuesday that no crew must be taken calmly on the 2024 Copa América and dismissed the premise that profitable is not ok anymore for the USMNT.

Turner was responding to solutions that the crew must win in model or by extra lopsided scores towards lower-ranked opponents following a 2-0 victory over Bolívia to open the Copa on Sunday.

“No, we’ll by no means have that luxurious,” Turner mentioned in a press convention on Tuesday. “I feel you are taking wins whenever you get wins, irrespective of the context. You’re taking the consequence — particularly in event play, is the top all be all. I implore individuals to not lose sight of that.”

The U.S. gained in Arlington, Texas, on Monday behind an early objective from captain Christian Pulisic and a tally from Folarin Balogun earlier than half-time, leaving the Individuals stage on factors with Uruguay atop Group C after one matchday.

“I feel any time you possibly can win a recreation in an essential, worldwide competitors, a big-time event, it is good for this system, it is good for us,” Turner mentioned. “Clearly, we want we did some issues higher, however that is what tournaments are about. You wish to enhance and get higher all through the event and continue to grow as a crew, and a bond and a tradition.

“As a lot as we might have carried out issues slightly bit otherwise, on the finish of the day, we acquired a clear sheet, we scored two objectives and we gained. Going into this subsequent match, we all know we’d should be slightly bit higher if we wish to win that recreation as properly.”

The U.S. faces Concacaf foe Panama on Thursday in Atlanta within the second group-stage match for every crew. A victory might clinch a spot within the knockout spherical of the Copa America for Gregg Berhalter’s facet forward of subsequent week’s group-stage finale towards Uruguay.

Panama defeated the U.S. in a penalty shootout within the Concacaf Gold Cup semifinal final yr.

“They convey man-to-man stress,” Turner mentioned of Panama. “They seem to be a crew that has a whole lot of actually gifted gamers and athletes. It is to be anticipated — a bodily recreation, actually aggressive.”

USMNT ahead Tim Weah mentioned the crew is not fascinated about whether or not Panama will attempt to play a extra open recreation or flip to extra bodily techniques, as an alternative specializing in themselves.

“We do not know which Panama crew we will get,” Weah informed reporters. “We’re simply going to return out 100% and never take something without any consideration, put all our playing cards on the desk, and ensure we execute.”

The USMNT is the favourite in Thursday’s match regardless of final yr’s Gold Cup consequence, notably with the sport on residence soil. A big crowd is anticipated on the 70,000-plus-seat Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Thursday, just some miles away from the presidential debate happening that night time.

Turner confused warning that no opponent must be neglected, particularly in tournaments. He referenced Austria’s victory over the Netherlands at Euro 2024, which occurred moments earlier than Turner spoke, for instance of how unpredictable tournaments will be.

“You simply should handle what’s in entrance of you,” Turner mentioned. “I feel crucial factor is simply constructing off of what you simply did. The groups that may constantly get higher all through event… we’ve that baseline of what it takes to win a recreation on this event, and now we have to one-up it towards a distinct opponent.”

Berhalter has emphasised comparable factors just lately, saying on Friday forward of the crew’s opener that he needs the U.S. to be adaptable on this event based mostly on the calls for of a given recreation. That attribute, he mentioned, is shared by the world’s finest groups.

The U.S. coach reiterated that following his crew’s victory on Saturday, however he additionally emphasised the significance of profitable video games and referred to as the victory over Bolivia “complete,” whereas explicitly rejecting the concept the U.S. ought to have scored extra objectives towards a Bolivia crew that had not gained outdoors of residence soil in 9 years.

Nonetheless, there was room for enchancment. Whereas the USMNT was maybe unfortunate to not have added extra objectives towards Bolivia, the again line gave the ball away regularly. The crew impressed in a 1-1 draw with Brazil within the Individuals’ last tune-up recreation earlier than Copa América, 4 days after a humbling 5-1 defeat to Colombia.

Both of these groups might be an opponent within the quarterfinals if the USMNT ought to advance. Turner mentioned on Tuesday that the U.S. might be “extra opportunistic” in entrance objective, whereas reflecting on the win over Bolivia. He additionally mentioned that the crew might handle the ball higher in possession.

“We talked about being extra expansive and taking part in extra free flowing, attacking, and on the similar time that comes with dangers on counter-attacks and giveaways and the place we’re,” Turner mentioned. “I feel we realized that lesson in a fairly harsh manner within the Colombia recreation.”

The main focus now could be on Panama, one of many USMNT’s most frequent historic opponents. The Individuals maintain a 17-3-6 report towards their rivals.

“We’re truthfully simply sticking to the plan,” Weah mentioned. “We have had this gameplan since day one. We keep true, we’re intentional with the best way that we play. We’re a crew now that understands one another, and I feel we’re beginning to see that much more as we’re stepping into these different video games and as we’re getting older as a bunch.

“I feel it is only a lovely factor to see us rising as a unit, as a household. We’re beginning to present it on the sector. We simply should proceed optimistic performances.”