Try as it might to emerge from the depths of its failures in Trinidad, the U.S. men’s national team remains weighed down by pre-Gold Cup performances that have been devoid of optimism.



A 3-0 loss to Venezuela on Sunday afternoon added to the negativity around a program that also lost 1-0 to Jamaica last week. The two games have done little to convince fans that the U.S. is far enough removed from the shame of missing out on the 2018 World Cup, that the current talent pool is good enough and that new U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter’s system is the right approach to turn things around.



The criticism is only amplified by performances like the one at Cincinnati’s Nippert Field against Venezuela. La Vinotinto capitalized on errors and poor defending to run up a three-goal lead by halftime. It turned what was supposed to be a final tune-up into a storm of pessimism.



Amidst the swirling negativity, Berhalter is already preaching patience—with the...