Sebastian Berhalter’s Biggest Learning Experience of the Gold Cup

Unfiltered Soccer here in Austin, Texas for the 2025 MLS All-Star Media Day.

We have a real good one here, one of the breakout stars of this MLS season, making his first all-star appearance on the back of his first gold cup for the U.S.

men's national team.

He was also named to the Conquer CAF Champions Cup Best 11, and he's been a key figure to Vancouver's rise in the West.

Sebastian Barhalter.

All right, Sebastian, we were just saying, I remember you before you remember being around us.

Crazy.

Little, little guy running around.

Pretty incredible to see what you've done.

And in particular, this summer, it's been really fun to watch.

So I'm curious now, you've made a name for yourself at the club level, but now this summer you made a name for yourself at the international level.

So what did you learn this summer?

You have the...

probably the privilege and also the disadvantage of growing up with a dad who played and been around as a coach.

What did you learn from the summer?

What was that experience like?

Was it what you expected?

Yeah, I think I came in with open expectations.

There's not really someone I was like, it's going to be like this or it's going to be like that.

Being around it for so long,

I spent so many hours just thinking about being in those players' shoes, watching them so much, especially over the last six years.

It's like probably the biggest I've watched every single game the last six years.

You know what I mean?

So

it was amazing.

And I didn't realize how much it would mean to me, too.

I think there were some moments when I was just like, you know, I was really a kid wearing the same jersey, you know, and again, like kicking the ball around in the family rooms and like sitting there with a jersey on.

I don't want to take it off.

It was a really cool feeling.

That's awesome.

That's awesome.

When I think about Michael Bradley, who we played with, and how difficult it was for him to be a young player playing for his dad, his dad obviously was such a huge name and such a successful manager.

And the way that Mikey navigated that, right?

He was tough as nails.

He also loved the fact that he got to play for his dad, even though you didn't get to play for your dad on the national team level.

But I often wonder what that's like for you.

You probably lean on him.

I know you guys have a great relationship.

How much of it is I'm trying to distance myself from being the coach's kid, but also leaning into that?

It's probably a weird juxtaposition for you.

Yeah, I think first, like, you know, for me, he's like a best friend.

You know, I think, you know, it's not a super serious relationship.

You know, I think we, you know, shoot the shit all.

I don't know if I can can curse on you.

Yeah, you can.

Unfiltered.

Yeah.

You know, like, it's just, like, he's my friend, you know, and then obviously he's my dad, you know, and he, you always, I'm so lucky that, you know, the advice you can give me, you know, being in, he's done everything, you know, pretty much as a player and as a coach.

And yeah, for me, it's only an advantage, in my opinion.

I think, you know, obviously.

You know, the pressure is whatever.

You know, for me, I'm just playing soccer.

You know, I don't, I don't feel that.

And, you know, people want to say I feel it, but I don't.

You know, it's for me, I'm just a kid playing soccer.

And, you know, having he's my dad and my mom's my mom and my sisters are my sisters, you know, and I think that's just like everyone else.

And that's kind of how, you know, I keep it.

I get it.

I mean, your dad was a brilliant teammate.

I mean, he kicked the lumps out of people in training.

He was tough as nails.

Him and Bruce and them going back and forth with each other.

I mean, some fond memories.

Yeah.

I've never told you this story.

And I don't know.

I don't even know if I share this with you, but when I used to go into my first camps

and your dad was there, I swear to God, Sebastian, the first time as a striker, I would check in for the ball.

I don't know if it was me or if just everyone in general, probably everyone in general, but he would come through the back of me and just smash me.

Every time.

I mean, I'm not kidding.

And if he was seven yards away, he'd still go and just finish the play, right?

And I was like, I hate this player, you know, like I couldn't stand it.

And I couldn't help but watch through that lens this summer and watching, and you're not the same type of player, right?

And you need different positions, whatever.

But there were so many combative moments, right, in different games where you were the first guy in there.

And to the point where we're like, settle down, like, don't get sent off, don't do something stupid.

But you were in there supporting your teammates, and you were nasty, and you were challenging, and you could tell it meant more to you.

Is that directly correlated?

To your dad, is that just innate in you?

Is that things you watched or talked about?

Where does that come from?

Because I loved seeing it, and we wanted to see it.

We want to see that, you know, Malik Tillman, guy gets in his face, and you're there, right?

And so, what is, where's that from?

Yeah, I think definitely, you know, from my family you know from my parents my dad and then when you're playing for your country like like i don't know it was like every track back it's like it wasn't even like it was a question that i had to get back you know or like defending a guy like it wasn't even like a thought you know it was just like i was i was there you know all of a sudden like i don't even know what i'm doing i'm there you know and that's what i feel like it means to represent your country you know it's like you know when you when you go to war you don't even think you know you're doing whatever you can to protect your country and and that's kind of how it felt for me like i was just if something happened i was going to be there and try to protect my guys.

And, you know, someone's messing with me.

You know, I wasn't going to let that happen.

You know, so that's a little bit of both, probably.

If that's at 100% for the national team, do you feel that same way with your club team?

Do you, because

obviously it means more in some way, it doesn't mean you play less hard or you don't try as hard, but it does mean more for your national team.

So what percentage of that, I guess, is just attributed to putting on the national team jersey or that's that's you?

You know, I think it is me.

You know, I think that's kind of the person and player like that I like to be and I like to be nasty.

And if I have to be nasty, and I put in the duels, I love doing that.

But again, there is that factor of playing for your national team that you can't really, I mean, I'm sure you guys know that feeling is,

yeah, you can't describe it.

And as much as you want to try to replicate it when you come back,

it's hard.

Going there only, you know, for me is going to raise my level of the club team, you know, because then in my head, I'm like, you know, this is the standard every time I step on the field now.

um so i think that was a big thing to take away from that's great well yeah i mean i think about and it's a singular moment but they they stand out i think about tillman's penalty miss and you were immediately in there and and and you had your your you know your brothers back your teammates back and and i think the the what i give you the most credit for is as a as a good footballing ball dominant midfielder you also are happy to do the other side of the game.

You also know that the dirty work has to be done.

And when I watched this Gold Cup team, when we watched the Gold Cup team, you you could see that brotherhood growing throughout the tournament.

The results were good.

And that was a, you checked that box.

But one of the things we were looking for is like, where is that nastiness, togetherness, toughness?

And it was there.

Could you feel that amongst the group?

But like before games and training, could you feel that kind of growing, that togetherness?

Yeah, definitely.

You know, being a new guy, I didn't really know how it was all going to shake out.

And, you know, going in, I was like, you know, is everyone kind of be standoffish?

Is there going to be certain groups?

But to be honest, by the end of it, it was like everyone was a big family, you know, and everyone wanted to fight for each other.

And that's something that Mauricio installs in us, honestly.

Like he's, you know, showing us the clips of guys getting stuck in, you know, showing us clips of, you know, guys having each other's backs.

Like that's something that he really emphasizes.

And, you know, from his culture, you know, that's that's like almost, it's expected, you know what I mean?

So that's something that

he's installing in us.

And I think, I think you could see it, you know, I think by the end of the tournament, you know, guys had each other's back.

And it's fun when you play at that.

You know, it's fun when you know this guy has your back, this guy's your back.

And the best.

Yeah.

Yeah, and you're just going out there and doing the best you can.

I would always say walking out of the tunnel, and I'm not saying it because he's here, but if I looked back and he was there, I was like, okay, one, we have the best goalkeeper we can have, but two, like he has my back.

I knew that.

And that's an amazing feeling.

Can we dig in a little bit to your set pieces, right?

Because that's become, it's such a valuable piece of the game.

And if you can.

I always say like as a coach, you want guys who have star qualities, right?

Because there's a lot of guys who can do all the same things, but you need a star quality.

You need something special.

And

you became that guy in the Gold Cup.

Something you've always worked on, something you focused on, I would guess.

Yeah, I think growing up, like, you know, my dad, I kind of like, I didn't like, I kind of like half thought it was important, you know, and then my dad's like, you know, this is, you know, this is something you can be good at.

Like, you know, try taking this, you know, obviously I take everything seriously, but he's like, you should really try to work at this.

And then, you know, I think in Vancouver, it was a big emphasis.

You know, they brought in, you know, a guy from Trackman and, you you know, obviously he was using different technology.

And, you know, that was something that they brought to me saying, you know, you should be the best set piece taking the MLS.

Yeah, and that was from the beginning of this year.

And, you know, that's something that I take pride in them.

You know, for me, it's fun.

Like, anytime I get, especially like an in-swing, a free kick, like, that's fun for me.

You know, looking at their line, seeing where I can put the ball.

And that's something that I take pride in.

And it's, you know, the practice.

And, you know, hopefully that it turns out well in the games.

I want to dig into that just real quick because I had written down I was watch so when I was over those set pieces

I was looking for a spot yeah right I wasn't looking for a player I was looking for a spot to hit the ball and unless it was like if Gooch was on the field right or somebody massive or in this case with Chris Richards right so or Zomar Gonzalez in LA and we was gonna hit like a little driven ball to the back post that he was going to head back across.

So are you hitting a spot?

Are you looking for Chris in particular?

What's your mindset there?

So it depends.

So for an in-swinging free kick,

if it's a high line, I'll look at the goalie.

So I know if I start at the goalie, I know the ball is going to come back.

And you mean an out-swinging?

Sorry, on out-swinging.

Sorry.

I start at the goalie, and then it will come back.

It depends on how high their line is.

Depends how hard I hit it.

You know, if their line is a little bit lower, then I'll hit it harder.

They're a little bit higher, I'll hit it, you know, just a little softer.

But always my aim is at the goalie because then I know, you know, kind of just draw it back in.

That's interesting.

Yeah.

And then for the, you know, the the in swing the wide free kicks it's almost like I go over their shoulder so honestly I prefer the the outswinging one but the in swinging one it's it's looking at their shoulders and kind of just dropping in behind

yeah and again like it gets me excited talking about it like I just love it

the Berholter to Richards almost became like a like a hashtag But I'm curious because you said going into camp with a new guy.

How the hell does a new guy get to stand over the ball and take free kicks?

Because there's a hierarchy to this, right?

So is there,

was it an arrogance from you to say, like, I'm good, let me do this?

Or is it the coaching staff saying like, Sebastian, you and a couple others take these set pieces and it's so good in training that you end up getting the rub of the green?

Yeah, honestly, I think that's exactly what it was.

I think it was, you know, certain guys getting picked to, you know, just take them and practice them.

And then from there, you know, they made their decision.

Yeah, they put trust in me, honestly, because my first time, you know, being with the natural team and being on set pieces, you know, I take pride in that.

And, you you know, I didn't want to let them down.

And I wanted to prove that, you know, I could, you know, this could be an asset for the team.

And, yeah, I think that's what it was.

And from there, I think from the first couple of games and from trainings, they were like, you know, you need to be taking these.

And I was doing it.

Walk us through the penalty.

Yeah.

The penalty miss.

And then, you know, it became a big thing with your parents on the screen and your sisters and all that.

And just from your standpoint.

Are you, you're aware they're at the game, obviously.

You're not thinking about them and the penalty, right?

So walk us through the penalty,

what your emotions were after,

and then how you grow from that and what that whole experience was like, Referralist, from your standpoint.

That could have been

one of the biggest learning experiences of the whole tournament.

You know, the classic, I'm going to go down the middle.

And then as soon as you get up there, you're kind of like, I should go across my body.

It was a little earlier than that.

You're going to go down the middle.

Yeah, I mean, I trained going down the middle.

Oh, wow.

Yeah, countless times.

And then, you know, I, obviously, Tyler Adams takes a different PK, but the way he waited so long on Tyler, I was like, if I hit a perfect penalty down the middle and he stays, he's going to save it 100 times out of 100.

So then I'm seeing that.

I'm like, all right, maybe, you know, maybe I do go across my body and that indecision, you know, that's, that's, that's the biggest learning moment.

You know, that's where it's like, okay, practice one thing the whole week, just stick with that.

You know, there's no reason to switch it up.

And, you know, I'm thankful that we have Matt Fries and that, you know, that it's actually we won.

And, you know, it doesn't have to be, you know, the worst thing in the world.

But yeah, again, I think that's something.

I just looked at my dad after the game.

He just started laughing, like, dude, what?

What are you doing with this?

it was such a symbolic moment again because i know your family and i and the the camera panned to them and i just i just remember thinking like that's that's life that's that's the real part of it you know and when you get to see watch you play and you know the family that's there's the highs and lows and the funny part about your indecision really funny so we both played for david moise at everton

and david moise was such a stickler for like

everything

we would go into mostly cup competitions.

So if there was a, if we were going to go into a FA Cup game on the weekend and it could go to penalties, we would practice penalties all week.

And he literally would stand there and say, Bainzy, which side are you going to go to?

And we're going to play at Wembley.

And he said, I'm going left.

And he would make you tell him so that when we got to Wembley,

how dare you go right?

If you went right, he'd kill you.

But he was such a stickler for that because of those moments.

He believed in getting there.

And listen, you're a player.

You make your own decisions.

But I vividly remember that because those moments are so crucial.

Oh, it makes sense.

And so your family, like, I'm trying to imagine what it would be like to watch your kid

take a penalty, just in general.

I would have lost it.

I mean, I'm losing it just watching it.

You're watching it

missing.

And your poor sisters and your mom.

And so how do they process that?

I'm curious because, you know, maybe one of us will be there one day.

His daughter plays at Tennessee.

And, like, who knows, right?

Yeah, I mean, I think they could probably give more insight.

I think they're freaking out.

My sister looked like she was about to cry.

You know, after I sent a picture in the family group, she was like, dude, how you guys stressing, huh?

Jeez.

I was like, I'm sorry, guys, honestly.

But yeah, no, again, like, you know, it is, it is kind of funny, but at the same time, it's like, you know, I have to learn from that.

And that was a big moment.

And, you know, obviously it didn't come out the way, you know, I wanted it to come out.

But, you know, that's something that I'm going to have more penalties in my career.

You know, I know that.

And next time, you know, I got to be ready.

Yeah.

So, so let's talk about Vancouver.

I had to,

I would say good fortune because you're a talented player, but I was in Houston on Wednesday, and you guys tore us apart.

I mean, you guys are cooking in every way.

You're playing so well, and he's going to bring it up.

Didn't you predict that?

I did not predict it.

I didn't pick you guys to do very well, which is fine.

A lot of people did.

I might be wrong, but

so what's the, given that the expectation was so low from the outside, what's it been like up in Vancouver?

Brilliant football city, brilliant city as a whole.

What's that?

I mean, you guys have taken a league by storm.

What's that been like this year for you?

It's been great.

Honestly, the biggest thing is you've just seen the city like kind of revolve.

The team becomes something in the city, you know, when you're winning games, when you're doing well, especially after Miami, like it was incredible how many more people, you know, started saying something in the street or this great job.

And, you know, we don't have that a lot in Vancouver, you know, and my first three years, like there wasn't a lot of that.

You know, just to see the city really care about the team was pretty special.

And that's, you know, someone being in the team for three years and then seeing that happen is like, that's what you play for you know like that's what you know you have more kids saying stuff you know more little guys wanting to be like you you know and that's you know that's all you can ask for just trying to inspire you know the next generation sure yeah so I'm

I'm in the process of writing a book which is a terrible process don't ever do it but anyway the people the publishing people are in Vancouver so I went up there to do I did a photo shoot and some stuff up there and it was really fascinating to hear them, they were not soccer people, talk about the white caps and how excited.

And it was the same week that Inner Miami was coming up for Champions Cup too and it was really interesting to see how you guys have taken the city and made it made it a Vancouver White Cap City and it was a little bit early on when Jay was there, DeMerit was there and whatever, but it kind of waned and it's been fun to watch and and that's a big part of of what you guys have done and my guess is now you guys expect that you should be and finish near the top and then and I'm guessing you feel like you can win it.

Yeah, no, that's since day one that was the expectation, you know, even having a new coach, just a group we have, we've been together for, you know, three to four years, and it was, you know, it was trophies.

That's what you've been saying since the beginning.

And, you know, Yasper came in and gave us a different element dynamic.

You know, it kind of gave us that little, that little extra, you know, and kind of got us all in one direction.

And, you know, credit to him.

He's been amazing.

You know, the way he interacts with players and even just the tactic part of it, like, he's, he's great.

Yeah, we want to, we want to, you know, we haven't done anything yet.

You know, we've been first.

We've been now, you know, now we're second, but we've accomplished nothing, honestly.

And our goal is to win a, be the

winner's battle of the year.

So

you've talked about breaking onto the national team scene.

It's something you've dreamt about.

Where is that now?

You must be so hungry for more successful, more caps, more time on the team to be integrated with the entire group.

And certainly you must have the World Cup on your horizon.

Yeah.

To be honest, you know, even get to the national team, it was taking it one day at a time.

You know, it was never like, you know, if anyone told you you at the beginning of the year that I'd be on the national team, they'd probably think you're crazy.

You know, like for me, it's just been one day at a time.

And, you know, everything happens for a reason.

So I've just been, you know, trying to work hard.

And for me, that applies to the World Cup.

You know, if I think you kind of get, if you get caught up in that, you know, for me personally, it just, I don't, I don't function that great that way.

You know, I've had experience in the past where I'm like, I need to be on this team.

I need to, you know, achieve this, that.

And for me, that doesn't work.

And I learned from that.

And now it's about, you know, just, again, taking it one game, one day at a time, and just trying to be the best player I can in that moment, best person.

Sebastian, last couple of things, then we'll let you go.

I know you've had a long day.

Long summer.

You have aspirations to play elsewhere, to go to Europe?

Do you?

I mean, you've been around it your whole life, right?

Traveling with your dad.

Yeah, I think

growing up in like half my life in Europe, I think, you know, it kind of gives you that.

But also, you know, I'm...

you know, very focused on what's going on here, you know, and we have a great team and a great chance to win a trophy.

And, you know, you want it, for me, I just want to be the best player and, you know, test myself as much as I can.

You know, wherever it it's trying to become the best that I can be.

And yeah, right now it's in Vancouver.

So that's what I'm focused on doing.

Very well said.

So we talked about your family name.

It's synonymous in U.S.

soccer.

I'm curious.

White caps play the fire.

Where's the family at?

Who's mom rooting for?

Yeah, so it happened this year, and unfortunately,

they beat us 3-1.

My mom stayed with me for the two days before the game.

And I'm talking to her.

I'm like, there's no way you're not cheating for us right now.

You're staying with me.

Like, my dad's not even here yet.

And, you know, she might have been the only one swayed, but even my sister was just like, you know, we got to go home and we live with that.

So it's like,

yeah, that's kind of understandable.

You don't want him miserable.

No, yeah, no, that's, but no, I think they, you know, just.

Having that opportunity, I think, is, is the coolest thing.

And my grandparents were there, and that was a really special moment.

It's just hard to imagine.

Dad's on the other sideline.

Incredible.

Incredible.

Awesome.

No, there was a moment actually when I, before the the game, you know, I was like, I was, we were talking about like, you know, should we like see each other?

Like, you know, whatever.

And I was like, yeah, after I, you know, after we shake hands, like, I'll just come and say it before the game.

And, you know, I came over to him and he just, you know, I gave him a hug and he's like, you know, I'm proud of you.

And from there, like, everything that I felt, yeah, just like kind of went away.

And I was just like, it's my dad, you know, and now I just, you know, go and enjoy the game.

It's not, don't make it more than it is and enjoy the game.

Awesome.

Well, your dad's done an awesome job with you.

Appreciate your mom, too.

So congratulations, man.

Awesome to watch you this summer.

We hope this continues.

If it doesn't, I said this, I think, to Max earlier, too.

If you don't get called in the next camp, it doesn't mean you're out of it, right?

Like you've put together a body of work now that you can be proud of and that Mauricio now trusts.

Right.

And so you just keep going, man.

And we hope to see you on a World Cup roster, too.

I mean, there's no doubt you'll be in.

You've done great.

So much success.

Good health.

Can't wait to see you.

Thank you, Tim.

I appreciate you guys.

Thank you for having me.

Thank you.