John Hackworth Biography

He is an American former football player and current head coach of the Philadelphia Union in MLS.

Hackworth was born in February 5, 1970 in Dunedin, Florida. He started as a coach and Youth Development Coordinator for the team in 2010. He was the assistant coach with the United States national team and the head coach of the United States U-17 men’s national football team. He also worked as the technical director of the U.S> Soccer Federation’s Bradenton Academy.

His playing career:

John Hackworth graduated from Dunedin high school, beginning his soccer career at Brevard College in 1989 and 1990. Then he transferred to Wake Forest University in 1991 finishing his collegiate career in 1992. Hackworth played many years in the United States Development Soccer League. He also played for two years with the Carolina Crunch in this league.

Hackworth signed with Dynamo for the rest of the season of the league A, in 1997 when he shut down Stern John during the game collected between his amateur team against Carolina Dynamo.

But he spent most of his season as a reserve, and played one match as the Dynamo ended runner-up in the league.

His coaching career:

John Hackworth retired from playing in 1997, but he already had spent many years in coaching. Where he first worked as an assistant with Wake Forest University for the women’s soccer team in 1993. Then in the next year 1994 he became an assistant coach for the men’s team. 

Hackworth signed with University of South Florida to become the head coach in 1998, leading his team during his four years tenure to two NCCA tournament appearances and compiled a 47-32-2 record. 

Then he became assistant coach to John Ellinger to the United States U-17 men’s national soccer team in 2002. Then he became the head coach of the team after Ellinger moving to coach Real Salt Lake in 2004. Hackworth coached the team at the FIFA U-17 World cup in 2005 and 2007.

Then in November 9, 2009 he signed with the expansion MLS Philadelphia Union as coach and Youth development coordinator.

And in June 13, 2012 the Philadelphia Union announced Hackworth the interim coach and then he becomes the head coach on August 30.

Caleb Porter Biography

He is an American former football player and current head coach of the Portland Timbers of MLS. 

Caleb was born in February 18, 1975 in Tacoma, Washington. He was the head coach of the United States U-23 team previously and then the head coach of University men’s team from 2006 to 2012.

Caleb played as midfielder where he started playing in college soccer for Indiana University before his entering to his short professional career in MLS and the united soccer league was ended by persistent injury of his knee.

His playing career:

Porter played on the men’s soccer team while his attendance to Indiana University from 1994 to 1997. He got the Bachelor’s degree in sports management in 1997. In February 1998, Porter was selected by the San Jose Clash with the 3^rd round in the 1998 MLS College Draft. He entered the Clash in 1999 and his tenure was too short making just 4 appearances and in the first one he was ejected in the minute 32^nd of the match. This led the Clash to send him on loan to the Sacramento Geckos of the A-league to waive him in June.  Porter returned to the MLS signing with the Tampa Bay Mutiny in July. He retired on June 30, 2000 after suffering from several knee injuries and having arthroscopic surgery on both knees. 

Porter was a member of the US soccer team where they got the bronze medal at the 1997 World University Games.

Coaching career:

In 2000, Porter started his coaching career as an assistant coach to Indiana University, but after leaving Ken Lolla the University of Akron in December 2005, Porter was assigned to be the head coach to the Zips. He led them to two consecutive Mid-American Conference titles; in addition he got the name of the MAC coach of the year in 2007. So he signed a new contract extension in June 2008 for two years.

After finishing near perfect season with Akron in 2009, it was rumored that Porter to have talks with MLS club D.C. United to be their head coach. Akron keeps him for the next five years with a new contract.

The Akron under the leading of Porter they got the NCAA Men’s Division I Soccer Championship by defeating the Louisville Cardinals 1-0.

He received the advantage of coaching the US U-23 Men’s National team on October 20, 2011 in addition to his post as the head coach of the Akron. 

The Americans were eliminated from the 2012 Olympic Games in London when they lost 2-0 against Canada, and a draw 3-3 with Salvador.

Porter signed with Portland Timbers in MLS on August 29, 2012 after the conclusion of the 2012 NCAA season.

He led them wonderfully making a rookie season for the Timbers with 14-5-15 season record (57 points) finishing the first in the Western Conference. So he got the name of the MLS coach of the year after this great season.

Carl Robinson Biography

He is a Welsh former football player and current head coach of Vancouver Whitecaps FC in MLS. Robinson was born in October 13, 1976.

Playing career:

Wolverhampton Wanderers:

He started his career as trainee and made his debut with Wolverhampton Wanderers during the 1996-1997 seasons.

Shrewsbury Town:

Robinson was loan to Shrewsbury Town; he made his football league debut versus Hull City 1-1 on 1996. Robinson made four appearances for the Shrews in the league and one in the Football League Trophy final at Wembley Stadium but they defeated by Rotherham United 2-1.

Portsmouth:

On July 2002, He moved to Portsmouth after appearing over 180 appearances for Wolves over six years.

Robinson played with them around 20 games in their promotion year to be loaned to firstly Sheffield Wednesday scoring once against future club Norwich, and then to Walsall scoring also once against Bradford , then to Rotherham, Sheffield United and Sunderland.

Sunderland:

Robinson signed a permanent three year contract in June 2004 with Sunderland after impressing at it. Robinson with them got promotion during a season where he played 42 of 46 games and he went to collect another championship winner’s medal.

Norwich City:

After being loaned to Norwich City, Robinson signed a contract with Norwich for 2 and half year for undisclosed fee in January 2006. He scored his first goal On August 26, 2006 against Barnsley where his team won 5-1. He made 50 appearances over 15 months with Norwich.

Toronto FC:

He joined Toronto coming from Norwich after a year in Carrow Road on January 31, 2007. He scored his first goal with Toronto against FC Dallas ending the game 4-0 on June 17, 2007. He was voted MVP in his first and second season with the team.

Robinson also completed his UEFA licenses in order to prepare himself to coach.

He announced that will spend the remaining of his career in the MLS and so he moved to play to New York Red Bulls.

 

New York Red Bulls:

On March 2010 he was traded from Toronto to New York Red Bulls in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft.  His first wining game with his team was on March 20, 2010 against Santos FC 3-1. And his first goal was against his former team Toronto in which the game ended 4-1.

International Career:

He made his first debut as a Wales international player against Belarus in 1999, in which he won the man of the game award. Robinson 50^th cap came in the 2-0 World Cup qualifier win over Liechtenstein.

Robinson announced his retirement from international playing career on April 1, 2009 at the age of 32 with 52 caps where Wales suffered from two consecutive defeats making it impossible for them to qualify for the World Cup 2010.

Managerial career:

Vancouver Whitecaps FC:

Robinson retired as a player and joined the Vancouver Whitecaps as an assistant coach in 2012. Then he was assigned the head coach of the team in December 2013.

Jeff Cassar Biography

He is an American former football goalkeeper and current head coach of Real Salt Lake of MLS, was born in February 2, 1974.

Playing career:

Cassar was roommates with Steve Ralston at Florida International University where he played college soccer.

Cassar selected after graduating eighth overall in the 1996 MLS College Draft by Dallas Burn. Cassar spent all of the 1997 season injured to appear just in two games, and he was selected tenth overall in the 1997Mls Expansion draft by the Miami Fusion.  

Cassar appeared in 21 games with Fusion, but he lost his job to Nick Rimando. He moved to England and played with Bolton Wanderers as the backup until June 2002.

Cassar returned to the United States signing with Atlanta Silverbacks of the A-League, to appear only in six games. Then he moved to Dallas for the third time following Matt Jordan’s departure to Europe as backup for D.J. Countess. He appeared in seven games and helped the team. In the next season a new coach Colin Clarke was brought and he traded Countess and replaced him with Scott Garlick. In the middle of season an injury forced Garlick to give his place to Cassar and the recent made 19 appearances.

At the end of 2006 season Cassar retired and was appointed by new head coach Steve Morrow as team’s goalkeeper coach.

International playing career:

He played for the US Men’s National Team in September 2013 during the qualification of the World Cup against Mexico. 

Coaching career:

Cassar signed with Real Salt Lake to be their goalkeeper coach in May 2007, and he spent the end of the season as assistant coach to Puerto Rico Islanders of the USL First Division.

Cassar signed on December 18, 2013 with Real Salt Lake to be their head coach replacing Jason Kreis who moved to sign with New York City FC as head coach.

Gregg Berhalter Biography

 

He is former football player and current head coach of Columbus Crew in MLS , was born in August 1, 1973.

His Playing career:

Early life of playing:

Berhalter was born in Englewood, New Jersey. He played soccer at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He played also for the Raleigh Flyers of the USISL in 1993.

His professional playing career:

The Dutch club Zwolle was the first station for Berhalter in his professional career  where he played there in 1994. He moved then to play in the Netherlands with Sparta Rotterdam and SC Cambuur Leeuwarden. Berhalter also played in England with Crystal Palace briefly alongside with Jovan Kirovski scoring once against Bradford City.

Berhalter moved also to the Bundesliga where he played with Energie Cottbus making 111 appearances with the team , and leading them to promotion back to the Bundesliga. He signed then with TSV 1860 Munchen of the 2 Bundesliga , and was the captain of the team , where he played there approximately for two and half year  and appeared in 73 games for Die Lowen.

In April 2009 , the United States was the new area for Berhalter after spending more than 15 years as professional in Europe to sign with Los Angeles Galaxy in MLS on April 3,2009. He leading his team by scoring a goal in the final against Houston Dynamo in 2009 MLS Cup to win his team 2-0.

His second season with Galaxy they achieved the MLS Supporters Shield and reduced their goals to 26 of the season.

Berhalter announced his retirement at the end of the 2011 MLS season.

His International career:

He got his first cap with US national team on October 15, 1994 in their game against Saudi Arabia . he played important role at the 2002 World Cup .

Coaching career:

Hammarby IF:

On December 12, 2011 Berhalter signed with Hammarby If to be his head coach after his role as assistant coach in Los Angeles Galaxy . he is the first American manager who coached professional football European team , but he fired on July 24, 2013.

Columbus Crew:

He became the head coach and the sporting director of Columbus Crew on November 16, 2013.

Honors:

Los Angeles Galaxy
MLS Cup	2011
Major League Soccer Supporter's Shield	2010-2011
Major League Soccer Western Conference Championship	2009-2011