After a Strong World Cup and Move to England, the Midfielder Continues His Form into the Cycle
Sebastian Berhalter has gone from an afterthought to one of America's most influential players this international window.
The 25-year-old midfielder scored and assisted in the 4-1 win over Peru, then did it again in Tuesday’s 4-2 win over Chile, becoming only the second player in USMNT history to score and assist in consecutive matches. Landon Donovan is the other. Berhalter has had a hand in half of the eight goals the U.S. has scored in this camp.
Against Chile, he put the Americans ahead in the 37th minute, finishing at the near post after Sergiño Dest’s cross and a clever stepover from Julian Hall. He later whipped in the corner that Chris Richards headed home for the winner, the third of Richards’ four international goals Berhalter has set up.
It is a long way from where he stood at the start of 2025, when he had no senior caps. He debuted that June against Switzerland, went on to play in the Gold Cup, and has since collected 20 caps and four goals. At the World Cup, he came off the bench in the round-of-16 loss to Belgium, unleashing a shot that just missed and waving up the crowd in Seattle, and he finished the tournament with two goal contributions—both against Turkiye.
After the World Cup, he left the Vancouver Whitecaps for Middlesbrough, where he has two goals and two assists as the club sits third in the Championship. Mauricio Pochettino has noticed. “To have a player like him is priceless,” the coach said, praising his versatility and example for newcomers. Berhalter deflected the credit. “I think it’s more the team,” he said. “For me, it’s about helping the younger guys, and then also just being myself.”
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