Dave Sarchan spent nearly all of 2018 as caretaker coach of the United States. AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File

Dave Sarachan, who led the United States on a caretaker basis for nearly all of 2018, has signed with USL side North Carolina FC to become the team's next manager, the club announced on Monday.

Sarachan, 64, takes over from Colin Clarke, who was relieved of his duties after NCFC failed to reach the playoffs last season.

"We are thrilled to welcome Dave Sarachan as the new North Carolina FC head coach," said North Carolina FC president and GM Curt Johnson.

"Dave has been a highly respected leader for both club and country at every stop during his career and knows what it takes to grow a club, develop world-class young talent, and win. This is a huge moment for everyone that loves North Carolina Football Club and for soccer in the state of North Carolina."

Sarachan's new position marks the first time he has been a manager on a full-time basis since a five-season spell with the Chicago Fire that ended in 2007. During that time he won a Supporters' Shield as well as two U.S. Open Cup crowns.

"I am very excited to be joining NCFC as its head coach," said Sarachan. "To have an opportunity to be aligned with quality people, excellent facilities, a soccer-rich community and a shared philosophy in terms of vision and ambition is every head coach's wish. I look forward to working with [executive vice president] Steve [Sciandra] and Curt and all of the NCFC family in building a team that we all will be proud of and that will contend for trophies."

Following that spell, Sarachan served as an assistant under Bruce Arena for parts of nine seasons with the LA Galaxy and then with the U.S. during the team's ill-fated qualifying effort for the 2018 World Cup.

Sarachan has also coached at the collegiate level. He was an assistant coach at the University of Rochester, Cornell University and then at the University of Virginia where he and Arena first crossed paths. He then led the Cornell University men's program from 1988-97.

As a player, Sarachan's career was spent almost entirely indoors. He had spells with the Pittsburgh Spirit, the Buffalo Stallions, the Baltimore Blast, and Kansas City Comets over the course of five seasons. He also played for the Rochester Lancers of the North American Soccer League from 1976-77.