Created By: Slater Sparks, Tucker Hebert, Mamoun Ibrahim, Mukaii Mhaka
BERHALTER'S RISE
PLAYING CAREER
COLLEGE
1991-93
Berhalter played at UNC from 1991-1994. In the offseason of the 1993 collegiate season, Berhalter spent time playing for the Raleigh Flyers of the USISL. At the University of North Carolina, Berhalter scored 13 goals and added 10 assists in his 58 career games. He set career highs with seven goals and six assists as a junior in 1993 and was named First Team All-ACC and Third Team All-American in both 1992 and 1993. In 2002, he was named a top 50 player in Atlantic Coast Conference history. Berhalter helped UNC reach the NCAA Tournament in both 1991 and 1993, before forgoing his senior season and turning pro.
EUROPE & USMNT
1994-2009
In 1994, Berhalter signed with Dutch club Zwolle. He later played for two clubs in the Netherlands and Crystal Palace in England, scoring once against Bradford City. Berhalter had a long stint in the Bundesliga, signing with Energie Cottbus in 2002. He went on to make 111 league appearances with the team, captaining them to a promotion back to the Bundesliga. In 2006, he signed with 1860 Munich of the Bundesliga’s second division and was named captain.
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During this time in his career, Berhalter played on the USMNT. Berhalter earned his first cap against Saudi Arabia in 1994. He later played in the 1995 Copa America and the 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup. Berhalter played a significant role for the US at the 2002 World Cup, starting the last two games in place of an injured player. With his World Cup performance, Berhalter became the first Crystal Palace player to play in a World Cup match. He also made the 2006 World Cup roster, but was an unused substitute in the team’s three losses.
MLS
2009-11
After his 15 year career in Europe, Berhalter signed a contract with the MLS’ Los Angeles Galaxy. In his first season with the Galaxy, their goals against were cut in half, from 61 to 30. Berhalter was a leader on defense, and mentored Omar Gonzalez to Rookie of the Year. In his second season, the Galaxy won the MLS Supporters' Shield, which is an award given to the team with the best regular season record. They also further reduced their goals against to 26 that season, which is a Galaxy record. In his final season, the Galaxy again won the Supporters' Shield, and also won the MLS Cup. In 2011, Berhalter announced his retirement to start his coaching career.
COLUMBUS CREW
(2013-2018)
ACCOLADES:
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Sporting Director & Head Coach
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Qualified for the playoffs in 4 out of 5 seasons
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Reached MLS Cup in 2018
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Bottom half in payroll each year
USMNT HEAD COACH
(2018-PRESENT)
Hired in December 2018
After his successful run at Columbus Crew, Gregg Berhalter was hired to take over as head coach for the USMNT. Berhalter’s hiring was met with controversy, with his brother being the CFO of U.S. Soccer, and many fans believing the hiring to be “a retrenchment back to the relatively small and insular community of U.S. Soccer”. Berhalter’s first victory came as a victory in a friendly versus Panama in January of 2019, as well as winning the next three games to start his international coaching career with a four game win streak.
During his initial 4-year stint, he went 37-11-12 in 60 matches, where the USMNT won two confederation titles and advanced to the Round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup. With his World Cup qualification, he became the first MNT head coach to have played for the USA at a FIFA World Cup. Many believe the USMNT’s performance at the Qatar World Cup was a middle of the road performance, with some feeling that they should’ve performed better with what is widely considered the best U.S. generation of players ever.