Back to the Soccer Newsfeed

Berhalter proves USMNT credentials as Crew halt Rooney & D.C.

If Gregg Berhalter's days as Columbus Crew head coach really are numbered - he is expected to be hired as the next U.S. national team coach - then his coaching performance on Thursday can be offered up as evidence of the kind of effective tactician he could be for the USMNT.

Facing a red-hot D.C. United on the road, Berhalter needed to find a way to neutralize the dynamic duo of Wayne Rooney and Luciano Acosta, who had partnered up to carve up opposing defenses during a 10-match unbeaten streak that ended on Thursday.

Berhalter did just that, setting his team up in a system that limited D.