U.S. Soccer has extended the contract of men's national team interim coach Dave Sarachan though the end of the year.
Sarachan's deal had been set to expire this month, and the move gives the USSF more time to find a permanent replacement. The federation confirmed that a new coach could still be hired before the end of the year.
Sarachan was Bruce Arena's top assistant and took over when Arena resigned last October after the loss at Trinidad and Tobago caused the Americans to miss their first World Cup since 1986.
The U.S. has waited to appoint a permanent replacement until after the USSF presidential election -- Carlos Cordeiro replaced Sunil Gulati as USSF president in February -- and the appointment of a men's team general manager.
The USSF hired Earnie Stewart to start as GM on Aug. 1, and the former midfielder will recommend a new coach to the USSF board. A timetable for the search has yet to be given.
Sarachan, 64, has led the national team to wins over Paraguay and Bolivia, draws with Portugal, Bosnia-Herzogovina and France, and a loss to Ireland.
Sarachan has given debuts to 18 players in six matches, including 10 age-eligible for the 2020 Olympics. On Wednesday, 18-year-old forward Timothy Weah backed Sarachan to stay on.
"He's a coach that does everything right, he treats us like we're his sons," Weah told Sports Illustrated. "I appreciate him, and if anything, he's the right coach for the job."
The USSF also said it had extended the contracts of assistant coaches Richie Williams and Matt Reis.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
