Here’s where some of the top MLS head coaches started their playing careers.
Gregg Berhalter
Berhalter played youth soccer for various clubs in the New Jersey and New York areas, including Teaneck SC and Clarkstown SC. He later attended the University of North Carolina, where he played for the Tar Heels and won the NCAA championship in 1991.
Berhalter went on to have a successful career in Europe before returning to the US and eventually becoming head coach of the Columbus Crew, LA Galaxy, and US men’s national team.
Caleb Porter
Porter grew up in Michigan and played youth soccer for the Michigan Wolves and Vardar SC. He went on to play college soccer at Indiana University, where he won an NCAA championship in 1999.
Porter then played professionally for the San Jose Earthquakes and Tampa Bay Mutiny before transitioning to coaching. He has coached in MLS for the Portland Timbers and Columbus Crew.
Jason Kreis
Kreis grew up in Nebraska and played youth soccer for Omaha FC. He went on to play college soccer at Duke University and played professionally in MLS for the Dallas Burn and Real Salt Lake. Kreis has coached in MLS for Real Salt Lake, New York City FC, and Inter Miami.
Bob Bradley
Bradley played college soccer at Swarthmore College and later coached at various colleges and in the US lower leagues before making the jump to MLS. He has coached in MLS for the Chicago Fire, MetroStars/Red Bulls, Chivas USA, and Los Angeles FC.
Robin Fraser
Born in Jamaica, Robin Fraser grew up in New York and played for the Brooklyn Italians youth club. He later attended the University of Florida, where he played college soccer for four years. Fraser played for various MLS teams throughout his career and is currently the head coach of the Colorado Rapids.
Chris Armas
Born in the Bronx, Chris Armas played for various youth clubs in New York City before attending Adelphi University. After college, Armas played for various professional teams in the US and Europe before joining the Chicago Fire in 1998. He is currently the head coach of Toronto FC.
Jim Curtin
Born in Pennsylvania, Jim Curtin played for the youth academy of the Philadelphia Union before attending Villanova University. He played professionally for the Chicago Fire and the Chivas USA before joining the Union as a coach in 2010. Curtin is currently the head coach of the Philadelphia Union.
Greg Vanney
Born in California, Greg Vanney played for the youth academy of the Los Angeles Galaxy before attending UCLA. He played professionally for various MLS teams before retiring in 2008. Vanney then joined the coaching staff of Chivas USA and later became the head coach of Toronto FC. He is currently the head coach of the LA Galaxy.
Oscar Pareja
Born in Colombia, Oscar Pareja moved to the United States at a young age and played for the youth academy of the Dallas Texans. He later played college soccer at Clemson University and played professionally for various MLS teams. Pareja is currently the head coach of Orlando City SC.
Wilmer Cabrera
Wilmer Cabrera was born in Cartagena, Colombia, but moved to the United States at a young age and grew up in Long Beach, California. He played for the local club Long Beach United and later played college soccer at California State University, Los Angeles.
After college, Cabrera played professionally in the US, Mexico, and Colombia. He also had a brief stint with the US national team in 1992. After retiring, Cabrera transitioned into coaching, and he has since coached various MLS teams, including the Houston Dynamo, Montreal Impact, and Colorado Rapids.
Greg Vanney
Greg Vanney grew up in Tempe, Arizona, and played for the Sereno Soccer Club. He later played college soccer at UCLA, where he won the Hermann Trophy as the best college soccer player in the country in 1995.
Vanney had a successful playing career, including stints in France and MLS, where he played for the LA Galaxy, FC Dallas, and Colorado Rapids. After retiring, Vanney became a coach and has since coached several MLS teams, including Toronto FC, where he won the MLS Cup in 2017.
Steve Cherundolo
Steve Cherundolo was born and raised in San Diego, California, and played for the San Diego Nomads. He later played college soccer at the University of Portland, where he was a three-time All-American.
Cherundolo played his entire professional career with German club Hannover 96, where he became a club legend and fan favorite. After retiring, he began his coaching career and is currently an assistant coach for the US men’s national team.
Tab Ramos
Tab Ramos was born in Montevideo, Uruguay, but moved to the US at a young age and grew up in New Jersey. He played for the Harrison Soccer Club and later played college soccer at North Carolina State University.
Ramos had a successful playing career, including a long stint with Spanish club Real Betis and MLS teams such as the New York/New Jersey MetroStars and the Houston Dynamo. After retiring, Ramos became a coach and has since coached various youth national teams for the US Soccer Federation. He is currently the head coach of the Houston Dynamo.
Frank Yallop
Frank Yallop was born and raised in England but moved to Canada at a young age and grew up in Vancouver. He played for the North Shore Soccer Club and later played college soccer at Simon Fraser University.
Yallop played professionally in Canada and the US, including stints with the Tampa Bay Mutiny and San Jose Earthquakes in MLS. After retiring, Yallop became a coach and has since coached various MLS teams, including the San Jose Earthquakes, Chicago Fire, and Phoenix Rising FC. He is currently the head coach of USL Championship side Las Vegas Lights FC.
