After spending 15 seasons playing in Europe, World Cup veteran Gregg Berhalter is set to return to the USA and play for MLS very soon after his contract with German second division club 1860 Munich was recently terminated in advance of its June 30 expiration date, according to the AP.
“The time has come to say goodbye and go back home,” said the 35-year-old defender, who began is professional career in 1994 playing for a trio of Dutch teams before moving to English club Crystal Palace in 2000 and then settling in Germany with Energie Cottbus in 2002 before spending the last three seasons with 1860.
A member of the U.S. squad that basically played in his (new) backyard for the 2006 World Cup, the New Jersey native will reportedly have the option to select which MLS team he’d like to play for. His hometown NY Red Bulls seem an obvious candidate, but there’s also talk that he could be reunited with former U.S. coach Bruce Arena, who is looking for quality defenders in L.A.