Beginnings and Rise of Gregg Berhalter: A US Soccer Revolutionist

The average soccer fan might recognize him as the coach of the US Men’s National Team, but those familiar with Gregg Berhalter’s history know him as a former Crystal Palace defender who has become a celebrated coach. Gregg led his country to victory in both the CONCACAF Nations League and the CONCACAF Gold Cup. He is also credited with revolutionizing soccer in the USA.

This article reveals the story of a coach with Irish roots, a man who loves to spend on luxurious homes and a comfortable lifestyle for his family. Despite his love for luxury, Gregg has a fondness for old-school cars. It’s also worth noting that Gregg is not the only one in his family involved in US soccer; his older brother, Jay Berhalter, has also held prominent positions within the organization.

Beginnings and Rise of Gregg Berhalter: A US Soccer Revolutionist

Beginnings and Rise of Gregg Berhalter: A US Soccer Revolutionist

Our Gregg Berhalter Biography tells you Facts about his Childhood Story, Early Life, Parents, Family Background, Wife (Rosalind Berhalter), Son (Sebastian Berhalter), Daughters (Lily, Delilah, and Santana), Brothers (Jay and Kristin), etc.

This article also provides information on Gregg Berhalter’s Lifestyle, House, old school car, Net Worth, etc. Not forgetting, the USMNT Coach’s salary breakdown, Scorpion kick skill, worst playing career days, Travis Scott shoe, and the excellent plan he made for his son, Sebastian.

Preamble:

We begin Gregg Berhalter’s Biography by telling you the events of his boyhood years. Next, we’ll tell you about his playing days, including his worst moment on the pitch (video below).

Finally, this article tells you how the former USMNT player journeyed his way into leading his country to the FIFA World Cup.

We hopes to whet your autobiography appetite as you read Gregg Berhalter’s Bio. To begin doing that, let’s present a gallery of the Gaffer’s career trajectory.

Gregg is, no doubt, a man who has come a long way from his early playing days to when he took command of US Soccer.

The Biography of Gregg Berhalter. From his Early Years to the moment he took command of US Soccer.

The Biography of Gregg Berhalter. From his Early Years to the moment he took command of US Soccer.

Yes, the US men’s soccer has risen from a laughing stock to something special in recent times. After the USA failed to get a ticket for the 2018 World Cup, one man by the name of Gregg Berhalter – came to the country’s rescue.

With many young stars already at some of the biggest clubs in the world, the future is as bright as Greg’s playing days with LA Galaxy.

Despite the accolade this fantastic Soccer coach has received over the years, we found a knowledge gap.

Not many soccer lovers have read an in-depth version of Gregg Berhalter’s Biography, which is very interesting, so without further ado, let’s begin.

Gregg Berhalter Childhood Story:

For Biography starters, he bears the nickname – “GGG”, which stands for “Gregg Getting Goals.” The USA Soccer Coach bears the full name – Gregg Matthew Berhalter.

He was born on the 1st day of August 1973 to his Mother, Dolores Berhalter, and Father, Joseph Berhalter, at Englewood, New Jersey, U.S.

Gregg Berhalter is one among three children born to his parents’ marital union. The American soccer coach grew up alongside his brothers in Tenafly, New Jersey.

Jay and Kristin are the names of Gregg Berhalter’s brothers. According to research, the American soccer coach has no sister born to his parents – Dolores and Joseph.

Gregg Berhalter’s Early Life:

Tenafly, a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, was where he first played the beautiful game. Since his childhood, all Gregg ever wanted was to play football for a living.

Both he and his brother, Jay Berhalter, had the ball glued to their feet. From the moment he was in high school, everything about his soccer development happened very quickly.

Gregg Berhalter Family Background:

First thing first, the USA soccer coach was raised in a catholic household. Gregg Berhalter’s parents, Joseph and Dolores, operated a middle-class home in Tenafly.

They were the type who ensured their children were raised in accordance with catholic beliefs. That led Joseph and Dolores to enroll them at a catholic school for their early education.

Gregg Berhalter Family Origin:

By virtue of his birth in New Jersey, the USMNT coach has US nationality. However, a trace of his ancestry reveals that at least one or both of Gregg Berhalter’s parents have their family roots in Ireland.

By implication, it means the USMNT coach is a citizen of both the United States and Ireland. Gregg Berhalter (with an American English accent) does not have Spanish or German family origins.

This photo gallery explains Gregg Berhalter's Family Origins.

This photo gallery explains Gregg Berhalter’s Family Origins.

History has it that approximately 4.5 million Irish arrived in the United States of America between 1820 and 1930. Gregg Berhalter’s parents are descendants of these immigrants.

In fact, his great-grandparents (similar to Thomas Delaney) could be among those who immigrated to the US as a result of the Irish Potato Famine.

Gregg Berhalter Ethnicity:

The USMNT coach is an American citizen who has full or partial ancestry from Ireland.

Because of that, we refer to Gregg Berhalter Ethnicity as Irish Americans or Hiberno-Americans. Approximately 32 million Americans (9.7% of the total US population) identify with this group.

Gregg Berhalter Education:

The USA soccer coach is a product of Saint Benedict’s Preparatory School. This institution is basically a Catholic college preparatory school in Newark, New Jersey. The school, situated on a 12 acres urban campus, is run by the Benedictine.

Now, the Benedictine is a monastic religious order of the Catholic Church, which follows the Rule of Saint Benedict. As earlier recalled, Gregg Berhalter’s parents, who are devout Catholics, wanted this school for him.

The Irish American had some great soccer friends in high school. As a Saint Benedict’s Preparatory School student, Gregg played alongside former USMNT captain Claudio Reyna.

Despite being a soccer player, it was Gregg Berhalter’s parents’ wish to see him further at the university. Because of that, he was actively involved with college soccer while studying at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Gregg Berhalter Biography – Playing career:

As a teenager, he trusted so much in his soccer abilities, a feat that made him discontinue his studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Gregg Berhalter dropped out of his university education just after his junior year. Following that, he signed with Dutch club Zwolle in 1994.

Gregg later continued with two other Dutch clubs – Sparta Rotterdam and SC Cambuur Leeuwarden.

In the year 2001, a Crystal Palace side managed by Steve Bruce signed Gregg Berhalter. England wasn’t favourable for the Athlete, as he briefly played for the Eagles.

The following season, the future USMNT coach moved to Germany, joining Energie Cottbus. While there, Berhalter’s leadership attributes saw him captaining this club and leading them back to the Bundesliga.

At the closing stages of his career, he transferred to 1860 Munich, where he witnessed lesser game time. Thanks to his great leadership attribute, Gregg Berhalter was made to captain the German team whenever he got game time.

He managed there for two and a half years before moving to LA Galaxy in 2009. At this time, the US Soccer has been long married to his wife, Rosalind.

Do you know?… Gregg Berhalter played alongside David Beckham, Robbie Keane, and Landon Donovan at LA Galaxy. Before retiring from soccer on October 12, 2011, he helped the club win the first trophies of his professional playing career.

These trophies include MLS Cup, MLS Supporters’ Shield, and the Western Conference Championship trophy of the Major League Soccer.

International career:

Gregg Berhalter earned his first senior call-up for the USA on the 15th of October, 1994. He went on to make an outstanding impact at the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

Did you know?… Berhalter holds the honour of being the first Crystal Palace soccer player to play in a FIFA World Cup match. Before his retirement from his playing career, Gregg also played at the 2006 World Cup.

Gregg Berhalter Biography – Managerial Career Journey:

Fortunately, the USMNT coach began his coaching journey with the club he retired from. After a season as LA Galaxy’s assistant coach, Berhalter accepted an offer from Sweden.

For the first time, he became a head coach for the Swedish club Hammarby IF. Berhalter’s first managerial job did not go well. He was fired in 2013 for what the club owners describe as a “lack of attacking play.”

Following the Hammarby layoff, the soccer coach moved back to the US. Gregg found the job of sporting director and head coach of Columbus Crew. Under Berhalter, the Ohio-based club qualified for the playoffs in 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2018.

Such achievement, including reaching the MLS Cup final in 2015, was enough to earn him the position of head coach of the United States national team.

The coming of Gregg Berhalter as the commander of the USMNT marked a new era. He developed a philosophy of building his team around youngsters like Weston Mckennie, the Rising Tim Weah, plus Ricardo Pepi, and a host of others.

Within a year of his appointment, Gregg won the 2019/2020 CONCACAF Nations League. Next came the CONCACAF Gold Cup, which the US coach commanded his team to win in 2021.

At the time of writing Gregg Berhalter’s Biography, he has ensured a US qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

The successful coach hopes to command youngsters like Christian Pulisic, the Rising Jesus Ferreira, including Gio Reyna, etc, to glory.

Gregg hopes to make his players surpass the legacy set by Clint Dempsey and Josy Altidore during the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Gregg Berhalter’s Plan for United States Men’s Soccer (which is captained by Walker Zimmerman) is indeed working. The rest, as we say, is now history.

Rosalind Berhalter – Gregg Berhalter Wife:

The man who commands the US men’s soccer team is not single, meaning he is already taken. Rosalind Berhalter is Gregg’s Wife.

She was born with the full name Rosalind Maria Santana. As you probably know, getting married to the soccer coach saw a change in her surname.

Not many soccer fans know that a difference of 133 days separates Gregg and his wife. Research shows that Rosalind Berhalter was born on the 21st day of January 1973.

By implication, it means Gregg Berhalter’s Wife is older than him. But who cares?… age, as they say, is just a number. Rosalind Berhalter and Gregg Berhalter live very comfortably with their four children.

Now, let's introduce you to Rosalind Berhalter. She is Gregg Berhalter's Wife

Now, let’s introduce you to Rosalind Berhalter. She is Gregg Berhalter’s Wife

Gregg Berhalter’s Daughters and Sons:

With his wife Rosalind, the couple have four children. Sebastian (whom we’ll tell you more about) is the most popular among them.

Starting with Gregg Berhalter’s Daughters, they are Lily and Delilah. Another of Rosalind and Berhalter’s Daughters is Santana.

How did the US Soccer coach meet his wife?

Research shows that Rosalind began dating Gregg while both lovers were students at the University of North Carolina.

Judging by the timeline, it means Gregg Berhalter met his wife in the early 1990s. The future USMNT coach began dating his then-girlfriend (Rosalind) when he was actively involved with college soccer.

As a supportive partner, Gregg Berhalter’s wife journeyed with him throughout his career days in Europe.

Also, at the time they began dating, the USMNT Boss was still a junior at UNC. Rosalind Berhalter and her celebrity husband had their private wedding in 1999, with few close friends and family members in attendance.

Who is Rosalind Berhalter?

Not many admirers of Gregg know that his wife is also a retired soccer player. Yes, Rosalind, like her celebrity husband, was a member of the Tar Heels soccer team.

Did you know?… She played soccer alongside notable names like Tisha Ventuari, Mia Hamm, and Angela Kelly.

About Sebastian Berhalter – Gregg Berhalter Son:

The American soccer coach and his wife have four children, and he is the most famous of them. Sebastian Berhalter was born on the 10th day of May 2001 in London. His birth came at the time his Dad (Gregg) played for Crystal Palace FC.

Just like his parents, Sebastian Berhalter grew up to become a professional footballer. He plays as a central midfielder for Vancouver Whitecaps FC, which he joined on the 4th day of February 2022. Here is Gregg Berhalter’s Son in action for his soccer club.

Sebastian Berhalter in action.

Sebastian Berhalter in action.

Personal Life:

Who is Gregg Berhalter?

The family of the US Soccer coach enjoys travelling together, playing golf, cooking, and reading books in their spare time. Again, we have gathered that the Soccer coach has more people in his family who are Cristiano Ronaldo fans than Lionel Messi.

Although Sebastian follows in his father’s soccer footsteps, he has, over the years, adored the CR7 as his idol.

Again, Gregg and Rosalind often visited the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium during his European playing career.

On one such occasion, their son, Sebastian Berhalter, got the opportunity to meet and shake hands with his hero, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Having the Portuguese Legend's audience remains one of the best moments of Sebastian's life.

Having the Portuguese Legend’s audience remains one of the best moments of Sebastian’s life.

Also, on his personality, Gregg Berhalter is a man who shares a similar vision with Claudio Reyna, the former US Soccer player. This man is the proud parent of Giovanni Reyna, the Borussia Dortmund attacking midfielder.

Gregg and Claudio once had their sons (Sebastian Berhalter and Jack Reyna) as the very best of friends.

Unfortunately, Jack (pictured right) suffered an untimely death when he was only 13. Even this picture could not describe the friendship between Sebastian and Jack – back in the day.

The late Jack (right) is the firstborn child of Claudio Reyna and his wife, Danielle Egan. He and Gregg Berhalter's son (Sebastian) were best friends during their childhood days. Jack was an older brother of USMNT star, Giovanni Reyna.

The late Jack (right) is the firstborn child of Claudio Reyna and his wife, Danielle Egan. He and Gregg Berhalter’s son (Sebastian) were best friends during their childhood days. Jack was an older brother of USMNT star, Giovanni Reyna.

Lastly, on Gregg Berhalter’s personal life (from his son’s perspective), not many fans know that Sebastian was once on the roaster of Valencia CF academy.

Yes, his son once played for Valencia Academy. Sebastian Berhalter left the great academy for Columbus Crew Academy in August 2019.

The American soccer coach knew what it meant for his son to have European soccer training. Today, Sebastian Berhalter is a fast-rising US soccer midfielder who would soon be called up by his Dad to play for the United States men’s soccer.

A 2018 photo of Sebastian Berhalter during his days with Valencia CF Academy.

A 2018 photo of Sebastian Berhalter during his days with Valencia CF Academy.

Gregg Berhalter Lifestyle:

Speaking of the way he lives, the USMNT coach is a man who lives an enjoyable life. Gregg Berhalter is a man who sticks with some things that you could relate to an old-school life.

Also to note, he (just like Erik ten Hag) is a man who finds it easy to splash out cash, as far as his family’s need is concerned.

Gregg Berhalter Car:

Speaking of old-school stuff, do you know that the American soccer coach is still a fan of it?… Now, what does this photo below remind you of?… the Breakdance era??.

During COVID isolation time (July 2021), Gregg Berhalter took a photo where he held a radio and stood in front of an old-school car, which is likely to be his.

Is this Gregg Berhalter Car? Probably.

Is this Gregg Berhalter Car? Probably.

Gregg Berhalter House:

The head coach of the US soccer team and his wife once splashed big on the acquisition of their new home. Around May 2022, the couple spent a total of $2.61 million to acquire their six-bedroom contemporary-style mansion.

Gregg Berhalter’s house (at the time it was acquired) was just newly built and had a size of 6,372 square feet. The mansion’s location is in the Southport Corridor area of Lakeview.

The soccer coach's home is in the Lake View neighbourhood of Chicago.

The soccer coach’s home is in the Lake View neighbourhood of Chicago.

Gregg Berhalter Family Life:

As you might have noticed, the Englewood native has a close-knit household.

The bond that links members of Gregg Berhalter’s family is not one of blood but one that shows respect and support for one another. This section serves you with more information about his parents and siblings.

Gregg Berhalter Father:

Joseph Berhalter has Irish family origins. He is among the approximately 865,800 people of primarily Irish descent who live in New Jersey.

Joseph Berhalter’s great-grandparents were likely among the Irish Catholics who (between 1845 and 1855) fled the potato famine in Ireland to seek refuge in America.

Gregg Berhalter Mother:

So far as research can tell, Dolores is a devout catholic and the main reason for her son’s commitment to the catholic church. She and her husband (Joseph) raised Gregg and his brothers (Kristin and Jay Berhalter) in accordance with Catholic doctrines.

Such commitment was seen in the choice for their early education. As stated earlier, the Berhalter brothers attended Saint Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark, New Jersey.

Jay Berhalter – Gregg Berhalter Brother:

Our Research shows that he (like his celebrity sibling) is also vast in soccer affairs. Not many fans of the sport know that Jay Berhalter once served as the chief commercial officer of the United States Soccer Federation. For unknown reasons, Gregg’s brother tendered his resignation in 2020.

Meet Jay Berhalter, the older brother of Gregg, the USMNT coach.

Meet Jay Berhalter, the older brother of Gregg, the USMNT coach.

Despite Jay Berhalter’s decision to resign, he still has a high position of influence as far as US Soccer is concerned.

Once a time, there was a report that Gregg Brother was among the forerunners of the vacant CEO position in the US soccer federation – after Dan Flynn’s departure. Recently, Jay Berhalter announced his decision to step away from the US soccer administration.

Untold Facts:

In the final section of Gregg Berhalter’s Biography, we’ll provide more information about him. About the man whose managerial positivity has shamed critics who once said he was heading for failure as the head coach of the USMNT. So, without further ado, let’s begin.

Gregg Berhalter Shoe:

The American coach loves to show up to matches wearing rare and exclusive Nike sneakers. This is because U.S. Soccer and Nike have a historic long-term agreement.

All of Gregg Berhalter’s sneakers consist of the Swoosh or Jordan Brand. Fans have admired his style of stepping onto the pitch in these seriously nice sneakers.

Gregg Berhalter Shoe.

Gregg Berhalter Shoe.

For the Ex-Crystal Palace player, big games call for wearing big-time sneakers. During the USMNT’s game against Mexico at the CONCACAF final, his shoe – this time, not Nike – was very perfect for the moment.

Gregg Berhalter’s British Khaki Travis Scott Jordan 6s shoe rocked the occasion – as clearly observed from the champion’s podium.

Gregg Berhalter Travis Scott's shoe was just perfect for the CONCACAF final.

Gregg Berhalter Travis Scott’s shoe was just perfect for the CONCACAF final.

How rich is he?

Where Gregg Berhalter’s family comes from, the average person in the United States earns around $75,000 a year. Do you know?… Such a person would need 16 years to make the annual salary of the USA Soccer coach.

Gregg Berhalter Scorpion Kick:

In a 2016 MLS match between Columbus Crew and Sporting Kansas City, he became the unlikely star. Gregg Berhalter stole the show with his stunningly nonchalant scorpion kick, which he made with the ball at the touchline. Watch the video here.

Gregg Berhalter Salary USMNT:

As ESPN reveals, he is the U.S. Soccer’s highest-paid employee – with a salary of $1.2M. Do you know that Gregg Berhalter earns more than Luis Enrique (€1.1m)?

Again, he earns far less than Hans-Dieter Flick (€6.5m), Didier Deschamps (€3.8m), Lionel Scaloni (€2.6m), Tite (Adenor Bacchi) (€3.6m), Louis van Gaal (€2.9m) and Fernando Santos (€2.2m). Gregg Berhalter’s net worth (as of 2022) is approximately $10.5 million.

Gregg Berhalter Religion:

The American soccer coach is a devout Christian and a practising catholic.

As noted in Gregg Berhalter’s Biography, his parents (Dolores and Joseph) ensured he and his older brother (Jay) attended a catholic school as a way of preserving their faith.

EndNote:

Nickname – “GGG,” Gregg Matthew Berhalter was born on the 1st day of August 1973 to his father, Joseph Berhalter, and mother, Dolores Berhalter, in New Jersey, U.S. The US Soccer coach grew up alongside his siblings in Englewood, a city in New Jersey, United States.

Jay Berhalter (Gregg’s older brother) is more popular than Kristin, another of the coach’s siblings. He is a soccer administrator and the ex-chief commercial officer of the US Socer Federations.

Although he was born in the United States, Gregg Berhalter’s family has their origins in Ireland. From an ethnicity standpoint, the US coach is an Irish American.

Put simply, Gregg Berhalter has origins in Ireland. The US coach has no German ancestry, and neither he is he Spanish or German.

Joseph and Dolores Berhalter raised Berhalter and his siblings in a middle-class home. As a young boy, Gregg attended the famous Saint Benedict’s Preparatory School, a catholic institution.

While at school, he met his best friend, Claudio Reyna (former USA captain), and they played football together. Gregg Berhalter attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The future USA soccer coach met his then-girlfriend (Rosalind) as a junior at the tertiary institution. Today, she (a former US soccer player) has become Gregg Berhalter’s Wife. As you have noticed, soccer runs in the family. Both lovers are proud parents of four children.

Popular among Gregg Berhalter’s children is his son, Sebastian, who followed in his parent’s footsteps. He was born on the 10th day of May 2001 in London.

Sebastian Berhalter’s birth came at the time his Dad played football for the English club Crystal Palace.

During his playing career days, Gregg was seen as an intelligent and competitive anchor in central defence. He spent 18 seasons in the Netherlands, England, Germany, and the US before hanging up his boots.

Before getting his dream job, he spent seven years as a coach in Sweden and the MLS. The USA World Cup coach Gregg Berhalter achieved a milestone by qualifying his country for the greatest soccer tournament.

Appreciation Note:

Esteemed visitors, we says, “Thank you” for reading Gregg Berhalter’s Biography. Our team of writers always strives for fairness and accuracy in our quest to deliver you stories about Soccer Managers.

Kindly reach us (via comment if) anything that needs correction in this memoir. The Life story of the former Crystal Palace soccer star is a product of  our category of Football Extras.

Aside from Gregg Berhalter’s Bio, we have other interesting soccer stories about American soccer stars.

The Life History of Brenden Aaronson, Kellyn Acosta, and Ricardo Pepi would interest you. Finally, kindly use the comment section to tell us what you think about Gregg and his amazing story.

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