That Uruguay scored on the ensuing free kick, that Panama’s goal differential in that other match could have had an impact on the Americans’ chances of getting through to the knockout round, is immaterial. This wasn’t the sole reason Berhalter was fired — appropriately — Wednesday night. But it was a symptom of the disease he allowed to infect his team. It couldn’t fester further.

For the U.S. Soccer Federation, this is far from ideal. The first men’s World Cup on home soil in more than three decades — Mexico and Canada will also stage some matches — is less than two years away. The hosts would love to be surging toward that test with both a clear direction and decided momentum. Instead, they’re scrambling.

Maybe this isn’t only on Matt Crocker, the U.S. Soccer Federation’s still relatively new sporting director. It was Crocker’s decision to bring back Berhalter even after a World Cup in Qatar in which the Americans’ only victory came against Iran, which has never advanced out of the group stage. More than that, the entire affair was colored by a bizarre controversy in which the wife of American legend Claudio Reyna, Berhalter’s former USMNT teammate, reported to U.S. officials allegations that, when the two were in college, Berhalter had abused the woman who became his wife — accusations Daniella Reyna brought forth because she was displeased with how Berhalter was employing her son Gio on the team. (Berhalter, who has been married for more than 25 years, admitted to the incident, which occurred when he was a freshman at North Carolina.)

With that, there was baggage — in performance, sure. But in leadership as well.

In hindsight, Crocker’s decision seems clearly wrong. But even in the moment, it felt uninspired at best. That can’t be the case this time around.

The stakes for the American program in the coming World Cup are significant. There will be no failure to qualify like the 2018 disaster that led to Berhalter’s hiring, because as co-hosts the U.S. is automatically granted a berth. Advancing out of the group stage — normally a mark of achievement — has new meaning. The tournament is expanding to 48 teams split into a dozen groups of four. Instead of just the top two in each group advancing, so will eight best third-place teams, and the knockout round will start with 32 countries — double the old number. Failing to reach that level would be more disastrous — and more unlikely — than flopping out of Copa América in group play.

But a performance to be proud of is imperative. On major international stages, Berhalter hadn’t provided those. Copa América — particularly one held in the States — was an opportunity to take a bold step forward. Instead, it was a clear step back.

So … now what? There is a line of thinking that the U.S. pool of players has never been deeper or more talented. More Americans are developing and being tested at the highest levels of European soccer. It’s not unreasonable to expect more than Berhalter could get from this group, which includes five goals in its past five games.

And it’s precisely the time in the sport’s American development for the American team to start forcing its way into territory where it hasn’t traditionally competed — say, the quarterfinals of the World Cup. Soccer is no longer an up-and-coming sport in this country — which isn’t to say it isn’t growing. Quite the contrary.

What it is is established, part of the regular sports discourse, a mainstream participation and viewing endeavor. It is now standard for American bars to fill with fans, for American couches to be occupied for appointment television, all to watch international soccer matches not involving the American side. Not only has Copa América provided enthralling viewing for this side of the globe, but flip on the TV in the afternoon for the UEFA European Championship — Euro 2024 — which amounts to the best pregame show ever. France-Spain? England-Netherlands? Yes, please.

By population and prominence, the U.S. men’s national team should be able to reach those levels — where international fans consider it to be must-see TV. The coming World Cup is an opportunity to do just that.

But to get there, the Americans will need a coach who is focused solely on the group in front of him — on maximizing talent in the moment. Yes, tactics that fit the personnel will be paramount; they always are. But at this moment in American soccer, there must be a leader who can keep the focus on what’s important. That’s winning your own game, not worrying about what’s happening somewhere else.