Dave Sarachan walks every yard of the northern half of the field at World Wide Technology Soccer Park in Saint Louis, stamping down in areas he worries could be problematic. His North Carolina FC team was still two hours from kickoff against Saint Louis FC, but a stormy Friday scuppered plans for a training session before this midsummer Saturday tilt. Sarachan’s field inspection is a chance to get in some last-minute prep, however small it might seem. It’s a walk which seems to border on ritual as he first visits a new pitch.



It’s clear that the North Carolina sunshine has been kind to Sarachan. He carries out his inspection in a short-sleeved white button-up shirt, black pants and fashionable all-black Adidas kicks. A healthy tan contrasts nicely with all of it. He’s the very image of a confident coach preparing for a match, leaving no detail to chance.



Seven months ago, Sarachan was surveying the iconic confines of Wembley Stadium, with a...