This is an incredibly niche post about my hate for two men. I’ve detailed my hate for Dana Holgorsen and how he worked to destroy UH football. Recently, I have discussed why Gregg Berhalter needs to leave the USMNT, especially before the World Cup. Never did I think the two would collide in my mind. But, sadly, here we are. Because after the USMNT drew with Brazil, all I could think of was that UT-UH game that saved Holgorsen’s job (until the end of the season).
Making the featured image for this blog caused me great pain. But as I thought more about it, they’re incredibly similar. Both coaches had come from a team that was succeeding despite limited expectations. They left for a bigger job and were met with some fanfare because of their reputation after a bad coaching experience prior (Bruce Arena, Major Applewhite). Despite the fact that they came from coaching schools of thought that were offensively heavy, they played a very conservative style that led to boring games (Total Football, Air Raid). After years of consistent mediocrity, the fans wanted them gone, but the governing body wouldn’t budge (USSF, Chris Pezman). Also, for both, it just seems like the players don’t like them that much.
Going into the Brazil game, I saw a poll tweet that went something like,”US wins 2-1 or loses 12-0 to Brazil”. The overwhelming majority voted for the loss because that might mean Gregg got fired. This felt similar to when UH played UT in football last season. The majority of fans were hoping that UH would get destroyed by UT, leading to Chris Pezman lacking any choice other than to fire Dana Holgorsen. After years of backseat hate, the UH hopeful laid their hopes on a UT steaming through the Big 12. Then, in the most unlikely scenario, not only did UH put up a fight, as seen here:
UH, and, more importantly, Dana Holgorsen, were gifted an easy out. The refs messed up a spot that could have led to a UH touchdown, and a UH lead.
This was heartbreaking for me. I was hoping for a total UT victory to the point the entire UH Athletics department looked like the US Embassy on April 30, 1975. In turn, UH got a moral victory where Dana Holgorsen received plausible deniability. It was the 2021 season all over again allowing Dana a little lifeline.
The feeling I had after that game, the heartbreak of more conservative play and shitty results, came back after the USMNT drew with Brazil. And the worst part for me was that the US played remarkably well. I don’t think it was Gregg Berhalter, really. If anything it was a combination of Brazil playing down, Joe Scally getting revenge for the 2022 Champions League Final (personally for me), and Christian Pulisic actually doing well on a free kick. Sure, maybe Alisson is to blame but don’t blame that sweet, hairy man for his mistakes.
Also, the fact BJ Callaghan stepped up on the bench and took control. Thank you for your service, King. Except the USSF is so dumb they’re going to attribute it all to Berhalter. It’s like trying to explain Pangea to a toaster.
There’s no analysis of the game here. Just an annoyance that this is another stay in execution to the Berhalter reign. Somehow he will stay in the good graces of the USSF. It was deja vu as I watched a coach destroying the soul of a very good team and keep his job because of some good play and a good result (no thanks to him). As I yelled at UT, I will yell at Brazil – we just needed you to do one thing. All you had to do was destroy the USMNT, as you’re capable of, and we get to enjoy our golden age with a new, golden coach. Who is available? No clue. But there has to be someone better. And for Brazil’s troubles, they have lost Ronaldinho.
Next week I will begin to suffer as I am forced to watch a Berhalter-led USMNT get crushed by much better teams in the Copa America. This is the punishment we deserve for becoming a cricket nation.
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