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USMNT hires Gregg Berhalter to end lengthy coaching search

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The United States men's national team has finally appointed a new full-time head coach.

Former Columbus Crew manager Gregg Berhalter is the team's new bench boss, the U.S. Soccer Federation confirmed Sunday. He takes on the role more than one year after Bruce Arena left the post in October 2017 following the country's failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

Berhalter is replacing Dave Sarachan - who's been serving as interim coach since Arena's departure - immediately on a contract running until after the 2022 World Cup, sources told Jeff Carlisle of ESPN.

"We are excited to announce Gregg as the next head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team," U.S. Soccer Federation president Carlos Cordeiro said. "As an experienced former national team player and highly regarded professional coach, we are confident he is the best person to guide our program forward. We are looking forward to formally introducing him on Tuesday in New York."

Berhalter, a former U.S. defender who won 44 caps across a 12-year international career, led the Crew for five seasons, reaching the playoffs in all but one and losing the 2015 MLS Cup final to the Portland Timbers.

"This is a tremendous honor," the 45-year-old coach told Carlisle. "Having played for the national team, I know what it means to represent our country.

"I believe in our players and our program, and together we will work to build something special and develop a team that will make our supporters proud."

Berhalter was U.S. general manager Earnie Stewart's handpicked choice, according to Andrew Das of the New York Times.

The only other candidate who was still being considered was former FC Dallas chief Oscar Pareja, who instead took over at Mexico's Tijuana, Carlisle added.

Berhalter will lead a United States team in transition, highlighted by the fact that Sarachan handed 22 players their senior international debuts during his 12 games in charge. Berhalter's first matches at the helm will be a pair of friendlies in the new year.

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