Gregg Berhalter

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Berhalter's path to the USMNT head coaching role began with a 15-year playing career in Europe, including stints with Zwolle, Sparta Rotterdam, and Cambuur in the Netherlands, Crystal Palace in England, and Energie Cottbus and 1860 Munich in Germany. He earned his first cap for the U.S. national team on October 15, 1994, against Saudi Arabia, and played at the 1995 Copa América and the 1999 Copa América. At the 2002 World Cup, he stepped in for the injured Jeff Agoos and started against Mexico, then came on as a substitute in the 80th minute against Germany in the quarterfinal. He was added to the 2006 World Cup roster replacing the injured Cory Gibbs but was an unused substitute in all three group games. After retiring as a player following the 2011 MLS season with the LA Galaxy, Berhalter became an assistant coach for the Galaxy before being named head coach for Swedish club Hammarby on December 12, 2011. He was fired on July 24, 2013, for a 'lack of attacking play.' He then became sporting director and head coach of Columbus Crew on November 6, 2013, leading them to the playoffs four out of five years and the MLS Cup 2015, where they lost 2–1 to the Portland Timbers. On December 2, 2018, Berhalter became head coach of the USMNT. He won his first four games, including a friendly against Panama on January 27, 2019. He led the team to the round of 16 in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. His contract expired on December 31, 2022, and after interim coaches Anthony Hudson and B.J. Callaghan, he was rehired on June 16, 2023. He was relieved of his duties on July 10, 2024, after the early exit in the 2024 Copa América group stage, finishing with a 44–17–13 record.

In Their Own Story

In March 2023, an investigation by the United States Soccer Federation found that Claudio Reyna and his wife Danielle had attempted to retaliate against Berhalter because their son Giovanni was receiving limited playing time at the 2022 World Cup. The Reynas were also frustrated by comments made after the Cup about the poor behavior of an anonymous player, later revealed to be Giovanni. Danielle Reyna attempted to damage Berhalter's career by contacting USSF sporting director Earnie Stewart and USMNT general manager Brian McBride about a fight between Berhalter and his future wife in 1992. A USSF probe into the claim found that it was an isolated incident and found no reason not to employ Berhalter as coach.

Reader's Guide

Berhalter's tactical approach with the USMNT centered on a possession-based play style with a 4-3-3 formation, which gradually adapted into a more aggressive, forward-moving style over the course of his tenure. He built a roster of young players including Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams, Yunus Musah, Folarin Balogun, Sergiño Dest, Antonee Robinson, and Weston McKennie. Sportswriters described this as part of an overarching strategy to develop a pool of young soccer talent in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Berhalter is also credited with developing a stronger team culture in the USMNT. His key achievements include winning the inaugural CONCACAF Nations League title against Mexico in June 2021, defeating Mexico again 1–0 on August 1, 2021, at the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup, and leading the U.S. to a 2–0 victory over Mexico in World Cup Qualifying on November 12, 2021, at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. The team qualified for and reached the round of 16 in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. After his USMNT tenure ended, Berhalter was named head coach and director of football for MLS club Chicago Fire on October 8, 2024, starting from the 2025 season. Under his leadership, Chicago Fire made it to the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs, ending an eight-year postseason drought.

Did You Know?

• Berhalter is the godson of Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame baseball player Carl Yastrzemski.
• Landon Donovan scored in the 103rd minute of the 2009 MLS Western Conference final, propelling the LA Galaxy to a 2–0 win over the Houston Dynamo.
• He was not the first Crystal Palace player to play in a World Cup match; Attilio Lombardo played for Italy in the 1998 World Cup while at Crystal Palace.