A former U.S. National Team head coach, Gansler revived his career with the Milwaukee Rampage after being passed over by Major League Soccer in its inaugural season. He proved highly successful with Milwaukee and led the team to an A-League championship in 1997 and posted a three-year regular season record of 44-30 with an 8-4 postseason mark.

Gansler became the second full-time head coach in Wizards history, inheriting a 0-7 team from Ron Newman on April 28, 1999. The Wizards finished the season with an 8-24 record, including an 8-17 mark under Gansler.

He then masterminded a worst-to-first finish in 2000, guiding the new-look Wizards to a 16-7-9 record and an appearance in the playoffs for the first time since 1997. His second-year effort earned him the 2000 Major League Soccer's Coach of the Year award. He coached the West in the 2000 All-Star game and finished the season with the 2000 Supporters Shield for the best record in MLS. Gansler and the Wizards met the Chicago Fire in MLS Cup 2000 where the Wizards came out victorious, 1-0.

Gansler, 59, previously served as the head coach of the U.S. National Team, and is most renowned for leading the United States to the 1990 World Cup. It was the first time that the United States qualified for the event in 40 years.

Gansler, who still currently teaches in the off-season at soccer camps for prospective coaches vying for their A-license, also helps with soccer camps in Kansas City during the season. He served as the head coach at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee from 1984 to 1988. In addition, he coached the U.S. Under-20 National Team for three years (1987-89) and the Under-19 National Team for four years (1979-82).

Gansler was a premier player in America during the 1960s, as he appeared 25 times for the U.S. National Team between 1963 and 1969. He captained the 1964 and 1968 Olympic Teams as well as the 1967 Pan American Team. Gansler also participated on 1968-69 National Team that attempted to qualify for the 1970 World Cup. In January 2000, he received the Walt Chyzowych Award, recognizing Gansler's achievements and dedication to the growth of soccer in America.