In 2018, I advocated hiring Dave Sarachan as USMNT manager over Gregg Berhlater

Looking back I’m not sure if it was a terrible idea or an inspired one…

The below piece was originally penned for The Yanks are Coming in Summer 2018. As we sit in October 2023 I do not know if it has aged well or incredibly poorly. I suppose it depends on your perspective.

Much has been made of what is actually an ideal candidate for the vacant United States Men’s National Team (USMNT). Is it a foreign coach with good record at the club level in Europe, is it an American coach that understands the US player, is it a hot young domestic product or tried and tested European manager who has experiences with other national teams? 

The reality of this situation is that many people who advocate hiring a foreign manager or one with no experience around Major League Soccer are pushing personal biases and stylistic preferences over practicality while being unrealistic about the current state of the US men’s game. 

I’d like nothing more than to see the United States men managed by a top European or South American Manager that imparts a style of good possession-based, passing football. But I also know this player pool and the inner workings and current state of US Soccer better than many who openly push this hopefulness. It’s nice to dream, but before floating away in a trance, it’s important to make decision based on being grounded and realistic.