Berhalter to take charge of USMNT
Gregg Berhalter was hired Sunday to coach the U.S. men’s national team, making him the first person to run the Americans after playing for them at the World Cup.
Berhalter, who spent the past five seasons as coach of Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew, represents a generational change for an American team staggered by its failure to reach this year’s World Cup after seven straight appearances at soccer’s showcase.
A native of Englewood, Berhalter grew up in Tenafly and played alongside future U.S. captain Claudio Reyna at Saint Benedict’s Prep in Newark.
Berhalter’s Columbus teams succeeded despite one of the league’s lowest payrolls.
The 45-year-old was long viewed as the front-runner for a job that stayed open for nearly 14 months. He is the second youngest coach for the Americans in four decades; Steve Sampson was 38 when he took over in 1995.
Berhalter is a godson of baseball Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski. His 47-year-old brother, Jay, is the U.S. Soccer Federation’s chief commercial and strategy officer.
A defender who made 44 appearances for the U.S. from 1994-06, Berhalter started on the left side of a three-man back line in the 2002 knockout stage matches against Mexico and Germany.
Adams leaving Red Bulls for Germany
United States midfielder Tyler Adams is joining Bundesliga team Leipzig from New York Red Bulls.
Leipzig, which is also backed by the energy-drinks manufacturer, says the 19-year-old Adams will join Jan. 1 on a deal to 2023.
Adams, who has nine appearances for the U.S., came through New York’s academy before breaking into the senior squad in 2016. He played 52 MLS games, contributing two goals and six assists.
Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea all win derbies
Divock Origi scored a bizarre winner in the sixth minute of stoppage time as Liverpool beat Everton 1-0 in dramatic fashion to maintain its 19-year unbeaten record over its Merseyside rival at Anfield.
Virgil van Dijk mishit a speculative volley high into the air from outside the area, with the ball landing on the crossbar off the fingertips of Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. It bounced a second time onto the bar and dropped down to the waiting Origi, who headed home from a meter out.
Arsenal scored three goals in the second half to come from behind to beat Tottenham 4-2 in a dramatic north London derby that saw clashes between players, fans lighting flares and throwing projectiles onto the field, two penalties and a red card.