on, assisting new head coach Thomas Rongen. United States Following the MLS Cup-winning 1999 season, Sarachan left to become a full-time assistant to Arena with the national team. He remained with the national team through the 2002 World Cup. Chicago Fire Sarachan received his first professional head coaching opportunity soon after the United States' impressive World Cup run when, after the 2002 season, Bob Bradley left Chicago for his hometown MetroStars. Sarachan was chosen for the Fire position, being named the second coach in Fire history on November 4, 2002. He and the club had a tremendous first season together, leading the Fire to the MLS Supporters' Shield with a 15–7–8 record, as well as a U.S. Open Cup victory, and an appearance in the MLS Cup, where they lost to the San Jose Earthquakes. For his performance as a rookie, Sarachan was named the MLS Coach of the Year. Sarachan's second year was significantly harder, however, as star defender Carlos Bocanegra left MLS for Fulham before the season began, and the club lost national teamer DaMarcus Beasley to PSV Eindhoven in midseason; numerous other injuries plagued the team, and the Fire ended the season tied for the league's worst record at 8–13–9. The Fire's appearance in MLS Cup 2003 led to an invite to the 2004 CONCACAF Champions Cup, during which Chicago registered a combined 2–2–0 record against San Juan Jabloteh of Trinidad and Tobago (quarterfinals) and Costa Rican powerhouse Deportivo Saprissa (semifinals). The club also advanced to the 2004 U.S. Open Cup Final but were unable to defend their crown, losing to the Kansas City Wizards. The Fire finished at 15–13–4 in 2005. In Sarachan's fourth season, the Chicago Fire took home their fourth Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup championship. On June 20, 2007, Sarachan was fired as head coach by Fire GM John Guppy. Sarachan finished with a 55–50–31 league record with the Fire and 75–57–33 across all competitions. Los Angeles Galaxy Sarachan was hired by the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2008 to once again assist Bruce Arena. The two of them led the Galaxy in the second half of the 2008 season when there was really no chance of the team making the playoffs. In 2009, the club brought in 16 new players, and the Galaxy cut their goals against deficit almost in half and was in first place for much of the season. They led