1. Early Life and Education
Gregg Matthew Berhalter was born on August 1, 1973, in Englewood, New Jersey, and grew up in Tenafly, New Jersey. He attended Saint Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark, New Jersey, where he was a high school teammate of future soccer star Claudio Reyna. Berhalter played college soccer for the North Carolina Tar Heels at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from 1991 to 1994. In 1993, during his collegiate off-season, he played for the Raleigh Flyers of the USISL. In 2002, he was recognized as one of the top 50 players in the history of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Berhalter is also the godson of Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame baseball player Carl Yastrzemski.
2. Playing Career
Berhalter's playing career spanned over 15 years across Europe and in Major League Soccer, showcasing his defensive prowess and leadership qualities. He also represented the United States on the international stage in multiple major tournaments.
2.1. Club Career
Berhalter left the University of North Carolina after his junior year to begin his professional career in Europe. In 1994, he signed with the Dutch club Zwolle, where he made 37 appearances, scoring 2 goals. He continued his journey in the Netherlands, playing for Sparta Rotterdam from 1996 to 1998, appearing in 10 matches, and then for Cambuur from 1998 to 2000, making 56 appearances and scoring 2 goals.
From 2001 to 2002, Berhalter played for Crystal Palace in England, where he made 19 appearances and scored one goal against Bradford City. In 2002, he moved to Germany, signing with Energie Cottbus of the Bundesliga. He made 111 league appearances for the team, notably captaining them to a promotion back to the Bundesliga. In 2006, Berhalter joined 1860 Munich of the 2. Bundesliga, where he was again named captain. He spent two and a half years with the club, playing in 73 league matches.
After a successful 15-year career in Europe, Berhalter returned to the United States in April 2009, signing his first professional club contract in his home country with Major League Soccer. He was announced as a Los Angeles Galaxy player on April 3, 2009. In his debut season with the Galaxy, the team's goals conceded were significantly reduced from 61 to 30, with Berhalter playing a crucial leadership role in defense and mentoring Omar Gonzalez to Rookie of the Year honors. On November 14, 2009, he scored in the 103rd minute of the scoreless Western Conference final, securing a 2-0 victory for the Galaxy over the Houston Dynamo and advancing them to the 2009 MLS Cup. This marked his first goal in 28 appearances for the club.
In his second season, the Galaxy won the Supporters' Shield and further improved their defensive record, conceding only 26 goals, which was a Galaxy record at the time. On October 12, 2011, Berhalter announced his retirement from professional soccer at the end of the 2011 MLS season. In his final season, the LA Galaxy achieved a notable double, winning both the Supporters' Shield and the MLS Cup.
2.2. International Career
Berhalter earned his first cap for the U.S. national team on October 15, 1994, in a match against Saudi Arabia. He went on to represent the U.S. in several major tournaments, including the 1995 Copa América and the 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup.
He played a significant role for the U.S. at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, stepping in for the injured Jeff Agoos and starting the final two group stage matches against Mexico and Germany. In doing so, he became the first Crystal Palace player to participate in a World Cup match. On May 25, 2006, Berhalter was included in the U.S. national team's roster for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, replacing the injured Cory Gibbs. Although he expressed confidence in the team's abilities, he remained an unused substitute in all three group games. The U.S. team was eliminated after finishing at the bottom of Group E with one draw and two defeats. Berhalter retired from international soccer after the 2006 FIFA World Cup, having earned 44 caps for the national team.
3. Coaching Career
Berhalter transitioned from a distinguished playing career into coaching, building a reputation for developing young talent and fostering a cohesive team environment. He has managed clubs in Sweden and Major League Soccer, as well as the United States national team across two tenures.
3.1. Early Coaching Career
Following his retirement as a player, Berhalter began his coaching journey as an assistant coach for his former club, the LA Galaxy, in 2011. This role provided him with his first experience on the sidelines, preparing him for future head coaching responsibilities.
3.2. Club Coaching Career
On December 12, 2011, Berhalter was appointed head coach of Swedish club Hammarby, making him the first American-born manager to lead a professional team in Europe. In his first year, Hammarby saw a significant improvement, moving up seven positions in the league standings and narrowly missing out on promotion. However, he was dismissed on July 24, 2013, with the club citing a "lack of attacking play," despite Hammarby being in fifth place at the time of his sacking.
Berhalter returned to the United States on November 6, 2013, to become the sporting director and head coach of Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer. Under his leadership, Columbus Crew qualified for the MLS playoffs in four out of five seasons (2014, 2015, 2017, and 2018). In 2015, they reached the MLS Cup 2015, ultimately losing 2-1 at home to the Portland Timbers. He also guided the team to the MLS Fair Play Award in 2016.
3.3. United States National Team Coaching Career
Berhalter's most prominent coaching role was with the U.S. Men's National Team, where he served two distinct tenures and made significant strides in team development and performance.
3.3.1. First Tenure (2018-2022)
Gregg Berhalter was appointed as the head coach of the United States national team (USMNT) on December 2, 2018. He secured his first victory as coach in a friendly match against Panama on January 27, 2019, and went on to win the first four games of his coaching career. In his first major tournament, the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup, he led the United States to the final.
Under his guidance, the United States achieved two continental championships in 2021. First, they won the inaugural 2019-20 CONCACAF Nations League title, defeating Mexico in June. Subsequently, they secured the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup title by again beating Mexico 1-0 on August 1, 2021. On November 12, 2021, Berhalter led the U.S. to a crucial 2-0 victory over rival Mexico in a World Cup Qualifying match. The team successfully qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and reached the Round of 16. This achievement made Berhalter the first American in history to participate in the FIFA World Cup as both a head coach and a player. His contract with the national team expired on December 31, 2022.
3.3.2. Second Tenure (2023-2024)
Following the expiration of Berhalter's contract at the end of 2022, U.S. Soccer employed interim head coaches Anthony Hudson and B.J. Callaghan while conducting a search for a permanent replacement. On June 16, 2023, U.S. Soccer announced that Berhalter would return as the head coach of the United States through the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Sporting director Matt Crocker cited Berhalter's "vision, as well as the experience and growth mindset on and off the field to move [the] team forward" as key reasons for his reappointment, especially as the U.S. prepared to co-host the 2026 World Cup with Mexico and Canada.
Under his renewed leadership, the U.S. national team continued its success in regional competitions, winning the 2023-24 CONCACAF Nations League, marking the third consecutive CONCACAF Nations League title for the United States. However, his second tenure concluded on July 10, 2024, when he was relieved of his duties as the US men's national team head coach following the team's early exit in the group stage of the 2024 Copa América, a tournament hosted in the United States. During his combined tenures, Berhalter led the team to an overall record of 44 wins, 17 draws, and 13 losses.
3.3.3. Coaching Philosophy and Strategy
As coach of the USMNT, Berhalter focused on building a roster composed of young, emerging players, including talents like Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams, Yunus Musah, Folarin Balogun, Sergiño Dest, Antonee Robinson, and Weston McKennie. This approach was widely seen by sportswriters as part of an overarching strategy to develop a deep pool of young soccer talent in the United States in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Berhalter is also credited with fostering a stronger team culture within the USMNT, emphasizing cohesion and unity among the players.
Tactically, Berhalter preferred a possession-based playing style, typically employing a 4-3-3 formation. Throughout his tenure, this tactical approach gradually evolved into a more aggressive and forward-moving style of play, designed to maximize offensive opportunities and maintain control of the game.
3.3.4. Controversy and Investigation
In March 2023, an investigation by the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) addressed an incident involving the Reyna family, which occurred during and after the 2022 FIFA World Cup. It was found that Claudio Reyna and his wife, Danielle Reyna, had attempted to retaliate against Berhalter due to their son, Giovanni Reyna, receiving limited playing time during the tournament. The Reynas were also reportedly frustrated by comments made by Berhalter after the World Cup regarding the perceived poor behavior of an anonymous player, who was later revealed to be Giovanni.
Danielle Reyna contacted USSF sporting director Earnie Stewart and USMNT general manager Brian McBride about a domestic incident that occurred between Berhalter and his future wife in 1992. The USSF probe into this claim concluded that it was an isolated incident that had been resolved, and the investigation found no reason to prevent Berhalter from being re-employed as coach. The findings cleared Berhalter to return to his position, emphasizing that the 1992 incident was not a barrier to his continued leadership.
3.4. Chicago Fire FC Coaching Career
On October 8, 2024, it was announced that Berhalter would be returning to Major League Soccer as the head coach and director of football for Chicago Fire FC, effective from the 2025 season. This role signifies a new chapter in his club coaching career, giving him significant responsibilities in both management and team development for the MLS club.
4. Personal Life
Gregg Berhalter resides in the Lake View neighborhood of Chicago with his wife, Rosalind. Together, they have four children. One of his sons, Sebastian Berhalter, is also a professional soccer player who currently plays for the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Gregg's brother, Jay Berhalter, previously served as the chief commercial officer for the United States Soccer Federation until his resignation in 2020.
5. Honors
Berhalter has received several honors throughout his career as both a player and a coach.
5.1. Player
Los Angeles Galaxy
- MLS Supporters' Shield: 2010, 2011
- MLS Cup: 2009, 2011
- Western Conference: 2009, 2011
5.2. Coach
United States
- CONCACAF Nations League: 2019-20, 2023-24
- CONCACAF Gold Cup: 2021
6. Coaching Statistics
| Team | Nat | From | To | Record | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Games managed | Games won | Games drawn | Games lost | Goals for | Goals against | Goal difference | Winning percentage | ||||
| Hammarby | Sweden | December 12, 2011 | July 24, 2013 | 46 | 18 | 17 | 11 | 53 | 44 | +9 | 39.13% |
| Columbus Crew | United States | November 6, 2013 | December 2, 2018 | 193 | 74 | 49 | 70 | 287 | 282 | +5 | 38.34% |
| United States | United States | December 2, 2018 | December 31, 2022 | 60 | 37 | 12 | 11 | 118 | 40 | +78 | 61.67% |
| United States | United States | August 1, 2023 | July 10, 2024 | 14 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 26 | 16 | +10 | 50.00% |
| Chicago Fire | United States | October 24, 2024 | present | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 0.00% |
| Total | 314 | 136 | 79 | 99 | 486 | 386 | +100 | 43.31% | |||