The role of the head coach of the U.S. men’s national team is an enormous post, broader in scope and more stressful than perhaps even the most ardent American fan suspects. It will take time for us to judge Gregg Berhalter on his performance in many of the facets of the job—the tactics, the scouting, the diplomacy with the clubs from which he will be borrowing players, navigating the logistical vagaries of CONCACAF, man management and, ultimately, qualifying for and performing well in the World Cup. But there is one area where Berhalter has already shown himself to be far superior to his immediate predecessors: a willingness to communicate as an eye-to-eye equal with reporters and players alike.



Not since Bob Bradley walked off the stage following his team’s Gold Cup final collapse against Mexico in 2011 has the U.S. men’s national team had a head coach willing to go deep on subjects like roster and tactical decisions, and his vision for the...