A Goal and an Assist
Sebastian Berhalter, the son of former U.S. men’s national team coach Gregg Berhalter, has become a headline act in the 2026 World Cup, delivering a goal and an assist in the team’s recent victory over Turkey.
The performance marks a dramatic turnaround for the young midfielder, who previously plied his trade in Major League Soccer with Austin FC before stints at the Vancouver Whitecaps and earned his first senior cap under a cloud of controversy.
The match also reignited a long‑standing feud between the Berhalter and Reyna families, a dispute that involved allegations of domestic violence and pressure on U.S. Soccer, a saga that ultimately led to Gregg Berhalter’s dismissal after the 2024 Copa América.
Gregg Berhalter, now reflecting on the episode, said he felt only pride when watching his son net a “good goal,” even as he acknowledged the bittersweet reality of cheering for a player in a setup that had just terminated his own employment.
Under the guidance of new head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who called up Sebastian to the national team earlier this year, the United States is shaping a fresh tactical identity, one that could carry the side deep into the knockout rounds of the tournament.
The blend of youthful talent like Sebastian and seasoned partners such as Gio Reyna, alongside a revitalized coaching staff, suggests a promising future for American soccer, even as the sport continues to grapple with the legacies of recent upheavals.