Mark Madden's Hot Take: When will U.S. turn the corner in men's soccer? How about never?

For decades, we’ve been wondering when the U.S. would make its breakthrough in international men’s soccer.

Now, after the latest disaster, a ham-fisted 2-1 loss to Panama in the Copa America on Thursday that saw the U.S. down to 10 men after a stupid red card in the 18th minute, the timetable seems obvious.

Never.

The U.S. just isn’t ever going to be much good at international men’s soccer.

The evidence is overwhelming.

The U.S. finished third in 1930’s inaugural World Cup, which had 13 teams.

It has since progressed no further than the quarterfinals, doing that once. Its highest finish is eighth. Its overall record at the World Cup is nine wins, eight draws and 20 losses. Its goal differential is minus-26. Ugh.

The U.S. has qualified for eight of the last nine World Cups because it only has to finish top three in CONCACAF qualifying. CONCACAF is the federation of North American, Central American and Caribbean teams. The degree of difficulty is low. It’s not Europe, South America or Africa. (The U.S. is automatically in the 2026 World Cup as co-host.)

The reason the U.S. fails is obvious: The nation’s best male athletes don’t play soccer, like they do in so many countries.

If Cristiano Ronaldo was American, he’d have been a strong safety in the NFL.

Christian Pulisic is the U.S. team’s best player, but he’s on the fringe of being elite. He couldn’t get a regular game during his four seasons at Chelsea of England’s Premier League, totaling just 20 goals.

Gregg Berhalter will be fired as U.S. coach soon, and deservedly.

But the next coach could be Jurgen Klopp dipped in Pep Guardiola, and it wouldn’t matter. Tactics are irrelevant. The exceptional talent isn’t there, and never will be.

This is supposed to be a “golden generation” for U.S. soccer.

I guess nobody told Panama. The U.S. plays Uruguay on Monday, I bet they don’t know, either.