Ahead of the much-anticipated US vs. England match in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, much has been written about Americans in the Premier League. But before any of the current players debuted in England’s top league, their coach, Gregg Berhalter, played for Crystal Palace and became its first player to make a World Cup squad in 2002.
In 2002, London's Crystal Palace had their first ever player compete in a World Cup after 97 years of existence.
That player: USMNT manager Gregg Berhalter. 👀 pic.twitter.com/aG8L2phYmw
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) November 25, 2022
He wasn’t in south London for a long time, just a history-making time, with just 19 appearances across two seasons. After the brief stint in the Premier League, Berhalter continued his career at German lower league side Energie Cottbus.
The New Jersey native made 44 appearances for the US, also being named to the 2006 World Cup roster. He retired in 2011 as a member of the LA Galaxy and went immediately into coaching. A successful tenure at the Columbus Crew of the MLS helped him earn the head job for the national team.
Crystal Palace has two of their own in this year’s World Cup with Joachim Anderson for Denmark and Jordan Ayew for Ghana. Gareth Southgate is also a former Eagle, giving Palace fans a point of pride in the USMNT vs. England match.
Southgate v Berhalter 🏴🇺🇸
Two former Palace players on the touchline tonight at the #WorldCup 🤝#CPFC
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) November 25, 2022
Christian Pulisic is at Chelsea, Brenden Aaronson and Tyler Adams play for Leeds United, Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson are Fulham teammates and Matt Turner is a recent Arsenal signing.
