My guess is that US Federation is that they want somebody from the "Jock club" (i.e. a manager that had had come through the US system.) "Building from within" is something that works at other sports. But doesn't really work at when your asking a club coach from a country with such a nascent pro culture to begin with. And again, one that hasn't had a consistent level of success at the international level. Berhalter things "ahh, I've ran this system in the MLS, it will be just a matter of time..." Doesn't really happen. They may taken Klinsmann's shit, and he wasn't even the greatest tactically... but he knew the kinds of limitations his players had against top flight competition. He knew what he had. USSF has to find a guy who can take act as a third party from the system itself, kind of like Klinsmann did. Or at least find a guy who will stick with a brand with a football the US team can manager.