Gregg Berhalter is an American soccer coach and former player. He is the current head coach of the United States men's national soccer team. Berhalter is the first person in US history to participate in the FIFA World Cup as both a player and a coach. He is known for focusing on younger players for the national team.
August 1, 1973: Birth of Gregg Berhalter
Gregg Matthew Berhalter was born on August 1, 1973, in Englewood, New Jersey.
1992: Altercation with Future Wife
In 1992, Gregg Berhalter was involved in a physical altercation with his then-girlfriend, Rosalind Santana, who he later married. This incident resurfaced in 2023 when it was brought to the attention of USSF officials by Claudio and Danielle Reyna in an attempt to harm Berhalter's career.
1993: Berhalter Plays for Raleigh Flyers
During the 1993 collegiate off-season, Gregg Berhalter played for the Raleigh Flyers of the USISL.
October 15, 1994: Berhalter Makes USMNT Debut
Gregg Berhalter earned his first cap for the U.S. national team on October 15, 1994, in a game against Saudi Arabia.
1994: Berhalter Signs with Dutch Club Zwolle
Gregg Berhalter signed with Dutch club Zwolle in 1994, marking the beginning of his professional soccer career in Europe.
1995: Berhalter Plays in Copa América
Gregg Berhalter played for the United States in the 1995 Copa América.
1999: Berhalter Plays in FIFA Confederations Cup
Gregg Berhalter played for the United States in the 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup.
2002: Berhalter Ranked Among Top 50 Players in ACC History
In 2002, Gregg Berhalter was recognized for his collegiate soccer career and was ranked as one of the top 50 players in the history of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
2002: Berhalter Joins Energie Cottbus
Gregg Berhalter joined Energie Cottbus of the German Bundesliga in 2002.
May 25, 2006: Berhalter Added to 2006 World Cup Roster
On May 25, 2006, Gregg Berhalter was added to the United States men's national team's roster for the 2006 World Cup as a replacement for the injured Cory Gibbs.
2006: Berhalter Signs with 1860 Munich
Gregg Berhalter signed with 1860 Munich of the 2. Bundesliga in 2006 and was named captain of the team.
April 3, 2009: Berhalter Joins LA Galaxy
On April 3, 2009, Gregg Berhalter was officially announced as a Los Angeles Galaxy player.
April 2009: Berhalter Returns to the United States to Play in MLS
After a 15-year career playing in Europe, Gregg Berhalter returned to the United States in April 2009 to continue his professional soccer career in Major League Soccer.
October 12, 2011: Berhalter Announces Retirement
Gregg Berhalter announced his decision to retire from professional soccer on October 12, 2011.
December 12, 2011: Berhalter Becomes Head Coach of Hammarby IF
Gregg Berhalter was named head coach for Swedish club Hammarby on December 12, 2011, becoming the first American-born manager to lead a professional European soccer team.
July 24, 2013: Berhalter Fired from Hammarby IF
Gregg Berhalter was fired from his role as head coach of Hammarby IF on July 24, 2013.
November 6, 2013: Berhalter Joins Columbus Crew as Sporting Director and Head Coach
Gregg Berhalter took on the dual role of sporting director and head coach for Columbus Crew on November 6, 2013.
2014: Columbus Crew Makes MLS Playoffs
Under the leadership of Gregg Berhalter, the Columbus Crew qualified for the MLS playoffs in 2014.
2015: Columbus Crew Makes MLS Playoffs and Reaches MLS Cup
The Columbus Crew, led by Gregg Berhalter, made the MLS playoffs again in 2015. The team reached the MLS Cup but ultimately lost to the Portland Timbers.
2017: Columbus Crew Makes MLS Playoffs
The Columbus Crew, with Gregg Berhalter as head coach, had another successful season in 2017, qualifying for the MLS playoffs.
December 2, 2018: Berhalter Named USMNT Head Coach
Gregg Berhalter was appointed as the head coach of the United States men's national soccer team on December 2, 2018.
2018: Berhalter's First Tenure as USMNT Head Coach Begins
Gregg Berhalter began his first term as head coach of the United States men's national soccer team in 2018.
2018: Columbus Crew Makes MLS Playoffs
In Gregg Berhalter's final year as head coach, the Columbus Crew made it to the MLS playoffs.
January 27, 2019: Berhalter Wins First Game as USMNT Head Coach
On January 27, 2019, Gregg Berhalter achieved his first victory as the head coach of the United States men's national soccer team in a friendly match against Panama.
June 2021: USMNT Wins Inaugural Nations League Title
The United States men's national soccer team, coached by Gregg Berhalter, emerged victorious in the inaugural Nations League, defeating Mexico in the final in June 2021.
August 1, 2021: USMNT Wins CONCACAF Gold Cup
The United States men's national soccer team, under the guidance of Gregg Berhalter, defeated Mexico 1-0 on August 1, 2021 to win the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
December 31, 2022: Berhalter's Contract Expires
Gregg Berhalter's contract as the head coach of the USMNT expired on December 31, 2022.
2022: Berhalter's First Tenure as USMNT Head Coach Ends
Gregg Berhalter's first term as head coach of the United States men's national soccer team concluded in 2022.
2022: USMNT Qualifies for and Reaches Round of 16 in World Cup
The United States men's national team, led by Gregg Berhalter, successfully qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. In a historic accomplishment, Berhalter became the first American to participate in the tournament as both a head coach and player. The team reached the round of 16 in the tournament.
2022: 2022 World Cup and Player Dispute
In 2022, Gregg Berhalter managed the USMNT at the World Cup, where he made decisions regarding player playing time that sparked controversy. His comments about an anonymous player's poor behavior, later revealed to be Giovanni Reyna, further fueled the situation, ultimately leading to an investigation by the USSF.
March 2023: USSF Investigation and Reyna Controversy
In March 2023, the USSF concluded an investigation into allegations that Claudio and Danielle Reyna, parents of USMNT player Giovanni Reyna, attempted to leverage a past incident involving Berhalter against him. The Reynas were reportedly unhappy with their son's limited playing time at the 2022 World Cup and comments about an anonymous player's behavior, later revealed to be Giovanni. Danielle Reyna contacted USSF officials about a 1992 altercation between Berhalter and his now-wife. The investigation deemed the incident isolated and found no reason to disqualify Berhalter from coaching.
May 2023: Interim Head Coach Anthony Hudson Departs
Anthony Hudson, who had been serving as the interim head coach of the USMNT, left the position in May 2023 to become the head coach of Al-Markhiya SC in Qatar.
June 16, 2023: Berhalter Rehired as USMNT Head Coach
On June 16, 2023, U.S. Soccer announced that Gregg Berhalter would return to his role as head coach of the United States men's national soccer team.
2026: Berhalter to Coach USMNT Through 2026 World Cup
U.S. Soccer announced that Gregg Berhalter would return as the head coach of the USMNT through the 2026 FIFA World Cup.