Chicago Fire's Gregg Berhalter on contact with Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos: We are now aligned with the South African national team coach

Gregg Berhalter has made contact with Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos regarding the progress and development Mbekezeli Mbokazi and by extension Puso Dithejane at Chicago Fire.

Unlike Mbokazi, Dithejane is yet to establish himself as a Bafana starter for him to worry greatly about missing out on a World Cup place by moving to the MLS as Mbokazi is a regular under Broos.

Bafana coach, Broos, has been critical of the MLS labelling it as a retirement kind of league in World football.

Broos likes the European leagues, particularly for his Bafana players.

Olwethu Makhanya and Bongokuhle Hlongwane play in the MLS and have been impressive but Broos has turned a blind eye on the duo.

This is something which is feared could happen to Mbokazi but Berhalter disclosed he spoke to Broos on the expectations of the players.

"I’ve had several conversations with Hugo,” Berhalter said. "I think, being in the position myself, I completely understand his perspective and point of view; basically, he wants his players playing at the highest possible level," he added.

"I think the league, for them to move from the South African league to Major League Soccer, is a step up in quality, and it’s going to help them develop. And our goal is to help both of these players adapt, to get used to a higher level, to add to their skill set and then eventually move them on.

"We have a great connection with the South African national team coaching staff, whether that’s technical staff or the performance staff, we’re in continual contact. And we see this as a project that we work on together.”