Soccer America magazine's Web site is reporting that John Ellinger is "close" to being hired as head coach of Salt Lake City's expansion Major League Soccer franchise.
Ellinger, 54, is currently the U.S. national team coach for the men's under-17 team. Ellinger's stint with the national team began in 1992 as a staff coach.
The bulk of Ellinger's experience came in 1996, when he was an assistant coach for the Columbus Crew during the league's inaugural season.