Gregg wants Eagles future (From Your Local Guardian)

Gregg wants Eagles future

12:22pm Friday 28th June 2002 in

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Crystal Palace's transfer-listed defender Gregg Berhalter, was denied his moment of World Cup glory by a German hand last week, but hopes his performances in Japan and Korea may have won him another chance at Selhurst Park.

Speaking exclusively to the Guardian from his New Jersey home on Monday, Berhalter, 28, was philosophical about the crucial moment in USA-Germany quarter-final when referee Hugh Dallas failed to penalise a German hand-ball on the line.

Losing 1-0, Berhalter got on the end of a cross with minutes to go and toe-poked it past Oliver Kahn, only for Torsten Frings to stop the ball with his hand.

Berhalter said: "It was clearly a hand ball, but it's up to the referee to see it and give a penalty. I'm really disappointed because it would have been a huge goal for the whole team, but he didn't see it and that's football."

Berhalter joined Palace from American club Engelwood in February 2001, but he made just 15 appearances last season and has been on the transfer list since March at his own request.

He said: "I wish I could have played more games to prove myself at Palace and it's frustrating not playing regularly, but it's the manager's decision and I have got to respect that. I could do everything in my power to win a place in the side, but if he does like the way I play, I won't get picked."

But after an extended holiday, he will return to Palace in late July, unless another club comes in for him.

He said: "The manager has given me an extra three weeks, because we haven't really had a break since last season. But unless something happens, I am coming back to Palace and hope my form will change the manager's mind, because I love London, I love England and I like the club a lot."

He revealed that he and the club have received offers, but said they were not suitable for him or Palace.

"I have had received offers that I have declined already for various reasons. It is going to take a very good offer for me to accept, because I really like Crystal Palace as a club, so it has to be an improvement."

Until something happens, the Palace defender, like the rest of the US squad, will revel in their achievement of reaching the last eight for the first time in 72 years.

He said: "I missed the group games which was disappointing, but I played the two most important games, and we played a really good tournament, so I am really pleased.

"It's been crazy over here since we got back and everyone is really enthusiastic about what we achieved. The squad has been booked on to all the late night talk shows and there's a real buzz about men's soccer now.

"The effects of our performance won't be seen for a while, but hopefully we will have inspired the younger generation to start playing soccer."