Landon Donovan praises USMNT leading candidate Gregg Berhalter

Landon Donovan - Gregg Berhalter - Embrace

With numerous reports suggesting Columbus Crew SC head coach Gregg Berhalter will be the next boss of the US national team, US and MLS legend Landon Donovan joined the ranks of those praising the anticipated hire.


"What he’s done with much less budget than the other teams historically in the playoffs is remarkable, so you have to give him a ton of credit for that," Donovan told Goal.com's Ives Galarcep on Wednesday. "I didn’t need to be reminded that he’s a good coach, but maybe some people did. He's certainly shown that through the playoffs and I think he would be an excellent choice if he were hired."


Donovan said were in charge of the search, he would've considered primarily MLS candidates, but he didn't tip his hand whether Berhalter would've been his top choice.


"I would have a list of probably three or four people," Donovan told Goal. "Berhalter would be on my list. (Toronto FC coach Greg) Vanney would be on my list, (Sporting Kansas City coach) Peter Vermes and (FC Dallas coach) Oscar Pareja."


Check out the full story for more of Donovan's insights on Berhalter — his international teammate at World Cup in 2002 and 2006 — and his pathway into coach, as well as why Donovan thinks it's time a younger MLS coach get a shot at the USMNT job.