Player Profiles: (12) Gregg Berhalter

Born: 1st August 1973

Hometown: Tenalfy, New Jersey

Height: 6′1″

Weight: 175 lbs

Caps: 44

World Cups: 1 (2002)

Clubs: 1860 Munich (2006-present), Energie Cottbus (2002-2006), Crystal Palace (2001-2002), Cambuur Leeuwarden(1998-2001), Sparta Rotterdam (1996-1998), F.C. Zwolle (1994-1996)

College: University of North Carolina

Positions: CB, can play LB at a push.

Arena says: “He’s an experienced defender. He’s been here before and he’s well respected by his teammates. We bring in a guy with a lot of experience who can help us right away. He’s not going to have to feel his way with the team or the players and that’s a real plus.”

Assessment: Berhalter has been an aggressive, determined physical defender for the US, good in the air and strong in the tackle, though at 32 years old age may be catching up with him. He’s not the quickest, and after his terrible defensive performance in the 4-1 defeat to Germany many felt his time was up, including Bruce Arena who left Berhalter off the initial 23 man roster. Berhalter was called in after an injury to Cory Gibbs, but too late to take part in the Send-Off Series. Given Arena’s recent praise for Jimmy Conrad, it’s likely Berhalter is behind Onyewu, Pope, Conrad and possibbly Bocanegra in the central defensive pecking order.