Dave Sarachan named coach for USMNT exhibition against Portugal in November

Longtime assistant to Bruce Arena, Dave Sarachan, will be coaching the United States Men’s National Team in their next match, a friendly against Portugal in November. The appointment is only for the Portugal match making Sarachan more of a caretaker for one game rather than an interim coach.

The decision delays the appointment of a long-term successor for US Soccer while the federation is busy licking its wounds from the recent disaster that is the failure to reach World Cup 2018 in Russia.

Sarachan will be assisted by the rest of Arena’s coaching staff - assistants Pat Noonan, Kenny Arena, and Matt Reis. All four are already under contact with the USSF through the remainder of the year. Sarachan was the obvious choice from this group as he has been a lead assistant and has previously held the role of head coach of the Chicago Fire for all or parts of five seasons, winning the MLS Coach of the Year in 2003.

The question remains though if this group provided the best candidates moving forward. US Soccer is hedging its bets and do not expect Sarachan to remain in charge after the new year.

According to si.com USSF President Sunil Gulati’s first choice for the USMNT job was U-20 head coach Tab Ramos, but Ramos was hesitant to accept the job with an interim title attached to it.

This move allows for US Soccer to take a much needed pause ahead of the potential and most likely restructuring of the entire organization.