Berhalter's First Goal

His Curling Effort in the First Half Set the Tone in U.S. Win

Sebastian Berhalter's first international goal carried emotional weight far beyond the scoreline, marking a triumphant moment for the Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder who has steadily worked his way into World Cup contention despite the shadow of family controversy.

The 24-year-old opened the scoring in Tuesday's 5-1 rout of Uruguay with a beautifully executed set piece in the 17th minute. After lining up for a free kick roughly 20 yards from goal, Berhalter played the ball short to Sergiño Dest, who immediately returned it. Berhalter then curled a perfectly struck right-footed effort into the upper corner past Uruguay goalkeeper Cristopher Fiermarin.

"I just had to strike through the ball, and I'm so happy it went in," Berhalter told the U.S. Soccer Podcast. "I can't even put into words, honestly, the feeling of scoring for your country."

Three minutes later, he transitioned from goalscorer to provider, delivering an excellent corner kick that Alex Freeman headed home for the second goal. The performance showcased why Berhalter has become invaluable to Mauricio Pochettino's plans—his set-piece delivery offers a crucial weapon the USMNT has lacked in recent years.

The goal added another highlight to Berhalter's breakout 2025 season, during which he led all Whitecaps players in minutes while setting career highs with 25 starts, four goals, and 11 assists. The moment was particularly sweet given the added context: Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa had previously criticized MLS for making players "lazy," yet his team conceded five goals to an American squad featuring numerous MLS players. Berhalter's goal and subsequent assist proved that MLS talent, including his own contributions, could compete at the highest international level—silencing critics while celebrating a dream come true.