Last Wednesday, Gregg Berhalter was one of the USA’s best players in a 1-0 loss to Italy. He shut down world-class striker Christian Vieri. On Saturday, Berhalter was an 89th-minute substitute for Crystal Palace in its 1-1 tie with Wimbledon in the English First Division. Berhalter, 28, signed a 3-year contract for Palace in the offseason after helping it avoid relegation into the third tier of British soccer. He has been unsatisfied with his lack of playing time since Trevor Francis replaced Steve Bruce as coach. Injuries to two other central defenders, Kit Symons and Tony Popovic, did not result in more action for Berhalter because Francis has preferred to use on-loan Shaun Murphy. “[Gregg] thought that the injuries would mean a way back into the side but I elected to bring in Shaun [Murphy] because I needed a big, strong center back,” Francis told the British press. “He came to see me but I couldn’t see a way for him to be in the first team so we agreed to put him on the transfer list.” Meanwhile, Palace is interested in re-signing U.S. attacker Jovan Kirosvki, who like Berhalter was originally acquired by Bruce, now coach of Birmingham. The club has announced that it offered Kirovski, who has scored five goals in 32 league and cup games this season, a contract renewal and is awaiting his response. Kirovski arrived this season from Portugal’s Sporting Lisbon, where he hardly played. Kirovski, 25, didn’t suit up for Saturday’s game against Wimbledon because of a calf injury suffered while with the USA in Italy, according to Francis. Kirovski played 11 minutes against Italy.