United States coach Gregg Berhalter is king of the trainers.
Berhalter, the 49-year-old former American international from New Jersey, has such an extensive collection of training shoes that debates about his choice of footwear rage for days every time his team take to the field.
He made a huge impact when the USA drew 1-1 with Wales in their opening group game on Monday night by opting for a pair of Nike A Maniere x Air Jordan 4 that are yet to be released.
Berhalter’s team will now be looking to put the boot into England’s World Cup dream when they meet the USA on Friday. Berhalter explains: “Sneakers have been a hobby of mine ever since I was a little boy.
“I was probably 10 years old. My brother and I would go into this sneaker store in Bergenfield, New Jersey and we would just look at all the different shoes. They weren’t boxed so you could touch and smell them all.
“I remember getting a pair of Converse Weapons like (basketball legends) Magic Johnson and Larry Bird used to wear and that was it. I was hooked.
“I’ve been fortunate to be a Nike athlete for the last 25 years so I’ve been able to get some of the stuff they bring out pretty early. I think it's part of an expression of who I am.
“I catch the players having a look at what sneakers I am wearing and I like it because they give me some feedback. Sometimes they mess around and tease me, but it’s all good fun.
“I think that we're lucky in the United States that the sneaker craze has exploded because you can go anywhere now and hit up a good store.”
Berhalter won 44 caps for the United States during a playing career that saw him spend a year with Crystal Palace. He also played for clubs in the MLS, Germany and Holland.
