Sebastian Berhalter is a combative defensive midfielder who gives the USMNT a tireless ball-winner in the middle of the park. The son of former United States head coach Gregg Berhalter, Sebastian has built his own reputation at the Vancouver Whitecaps, and he offers head coach Mauricio Pochettino control and bite from the bench or the start at a home World Cup.
From Columbus to Vancouver
Berhalter came through the Columbus Crew academy before a spell at Austin FC, but it was a move to the Vancouver Whitecaps that made him a regular starter. There he has become one of MLS’s most active midfielders, logging heavy minutes at the base of the midfield. The table below covers his main club spells in our database.
| Club | Apps | Tackles won | Interceptions | Clearances | Aerial duels won |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus Crew | 9 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| Austin FC | 33 | 17 | 13 | 7 | 5 |
| Vancouver Whitecaps | 146 | 140 | 121 | 144 | 81 |
What the numbers say
Berhalter’s Vancouver record is the profile of a genuine ball-winner. Across 146 appearances he won 140 tackles and made 121 interceptions while winning 464 duels and 81 in the air, the workload of a midfielder who covers every blade of grass. The trade-off is a high foul count and 30 yellow cards, the rough edges of an aggressive holder, but his energy and reading of the game are exactly what a squad wants in reserve.
Sebastian Berhalter and the USMNT
For the United States, Berhalter is midfield insurance, a player who can come on to protect a lead or spell Tyler Adams at the base of midfield. His ability to break up play and keep possession ticking makes him a useful option in tournament football, where fresh legs in the engine room matter. See where he fits in our USMNT roster guide.
USA 4-1 Paraguay and what is next
Berhalter played his part in the opener, coming on at half-time and keeping the ball ticking over as the United States saw out a 4-1 win over Paraguay at SoFi Stadium, winning three duels and making an interception in his 45 minutes. Read the full USA vs Paraguay player ratings. Next up is Australia in Seattle on June 19. Planning to go? See our World Cup 2026 tickets guide. For the bigger picture, see our World Cup 2026 hub and the latest World Cup 2026 winner odds, with more at U.S. Soccer. Must be 21+ and present in a state where betting is legal. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Sebastian Berhalter is an American defensive midfielder for the Vancouver Whitecaps and a squad option for the USMNT. He is the son of former United States head coach Gregg Berhalter.
Berhalter came through Columbus Crew, spent time at Austin FC, and established himself as a regular at the Vancouver Whitecaps in MLS.
He is a defensive midfielder, a combative ball-winner who breaks up play, wins duels and keeps possession moving from deep.
Berhalter came on at half-time in the 4-1 win over Paraguay and kept the ball ticking over, winning three duels and making an interception in his 45 minutes.