GREGG’S SHOE-NITED STATES

FROM SIMON MULLOCK in Doha UNITED STATES coach Gregg Berhalter is king of the trainers.

Berhalter, the former American international from New Jersey, has such a huge collection of training shoes that debates on his choice of footwear rage for days each time his team take to the field.

He made a huge impact when the USA drew 1-1 with Wales on Monday night by opting for a pair of Nike A Maniere x Air Jordan 4 that are yet to be released.

His team will now look to put the boot into England’s World Cup dream when they meet the USA tonight. Berhalter, 49, explained: “Sneakers have been a hobby ever since I was a little boy. “I was probably 10. My brother and I would go into this sneaker store in Bergenfield, New Jersey and we would just look at all the different shoes. They weren’t boxed so you could touch and smell them. “I remember getting a pair of Converse Weapons like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird used to wear – and that was it. I was hooked. “I’ve been fortunate to be a Nike athlete for 25 years, so I’ve been able to get some of the stuff they bring out pretty early. “I think it’s part of an expression of who I am. I catch the players having a look at what sneakers I am wearing and I like it because they give me some feedback. Sometimes they mess around and tease me, but it’s all good fun.

“I think that we’re lucky in the States that the sneaker craze has exploded because you can go anywhere and hit up a good store.”

Berhalter won 44 caps for the USA during a playing career that saw him spend a year with Crystal Palace. He also played for clubs in the MLS, Germany and Holland.