Scuffed | USMNT, World Cup, Yanks Abroad, futbol in America - #626: Sebastian Berhalter joins the pod

Episode Date: September 5, 2025

Vince and Sanjay sat down with USMNT and Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter on Friday morning to talk about his rapid rise to the national team, growing up ias U.S. soccer royalty, whether his dad would have been able to give him the same opportunities he's gotten under Poch, whether he'll get to take set pieces in this window, and a lot more. Skip the ads! Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon and get all episodes ad-free, plus any bonus episodes. Patrons at $5 a month or more also get access to Clip Notes, a video of key moments on the field we discuss on the show, plus all patrons get access to our private Discord server, live call-in shows, and the full catalog of historic recaps we've made: https://www.patreon.com/scuffedAlso, check out Boots on the Ground, our USWNT-focused spinoff podcast headed up by Tara and Vince. They are cooking over there, you can listen here: https://boots-on-the-ground.simplecast.comAnd check out our MERCH, baby. We have better stuff than you might think: https://www.scuffedhq.com/store Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to the Scuff Podcast where we talk about U.S. soccer. Welcome, everyone, to the Scuff podcast. We got a very, very, very special treat for y'all that I've been super excited about. U.S. soccer royalty. Son of hashtag the coach, Sebastian Burrhalter. Sebastian, how are you doing, man? Doing well. How are you doing?

Can't complain. There you go. Sebastian, great to be with you. So one of your new club teammates hilariously scooped the Federation on Tristan's call-up for this window. can you tell us about the usual timeline and process for how you get called up? Like how far in advance do you find out? And who are you allowed to tell? Yeah, I think you find out, I want to say almost like a week and a half, two weeks before the camp.

And then, you know, our club will find out first. So that's actually how I think Tristan found out, you know, the club told them. And then, yeah, and then we'll get an email probably two to three days later, the actual players. You know, sometimes the clubs tell the players before that. Sometimes they don't. And then, yeah, you know, it's just, you know, it's just. a good feeling. And then who do you tell, like when you find out? What do you trust? Yeah, I know my mom, my mom and dad for sure. I think they're always the first ones and then just kind of just close friends

and people that I feel like, you know, have helped me along the way and, you know, I know that would be proud and, you know, something that, like, people that like, you know, that I owe something, you know, that really took a chance on me and say, hey, like, you know, thanks for taking a chance of me. Like, look, I want to let you know I'm going to, you know, here and there. So, yeah. And we've seen a lot of players struggle to translate their form. from their club to the national team. How do you feel that process has gone so far for you? It's good, yeah, it's been good.

I think coming here, I've had to raise my level, you know, and that's something that, you know, I'm not sure not a lot of people knew that I had, you know, different intensity, different level, and even for myself, you know, I've never played a level this high. So, you know, being here and being around these quality players, it's, you know, definitely raised my game,

and I'm excited to just keep going. And any tips from your dad specifically on making that adjustment to this environment? I don't know. I think you just, I think you just, you know, go be yourself and enjoy it. You know, I don't think it's more of like, you know, play one touch, play two touch. You know, it's more of just like enjoy this moment and go out and do your best. Is your shoe game better than your dad's?

It's not. It's actually not. And I'm not sure a lot of people in the world can say that, but it's actually not. He's got a lot of shoes. And yeah, he's up there for sure. Did that rub off on you at all? Oh, for sure. Oh, yeah, for sure.

Just want to ask you, Sebastian, about differences between, like, club and national team play? Like what is the difference actually on the field between the two? Obviously, you don't have the built-in, don't have the reps with the people that you're playing with on the national team, the way you do with your club. So how does that manifest in your play? Like, how do you try and build that camaraderie within, you know, a week or whatever before y'all get on the pitch? Yeah, I think the national team just has that, you know, that intensity that everyone's, you know, fighting for their country. you know, even your opponents, like at club, it's hard to replicate that, I feel like, that just like almost desire and desperateness of playing for your country.

And then, yeah, in terms of, you know, not having a lot of time, I think it's just, you know, you're around good players and good players know where to be and, you know, where to pass you the ball and something that you kind of just figure out. Okay, yeah, that's always been my thought. It's just like, ball isn't going to ball. If you know you have somebody next to you who you can give the ball to in any type of situation, you know, that makes things a lot easier. Yeah. So, okay. How much did your parents push you with soccer? And how much did you fall in love with the game so that you could start pushing yourself?

Yeah, I don't think too much. I think they kind of guided me into a good way. But, you know, they kind of said it's up to me. You know, if I want to do this, you know, go ahead. If not, no problem. You know, and they kind of made me find that for myself. And, you know, I'm super thankful that in the end, that's what they did because it, you know, it harbored that passion and that desire to just work endlessly. Okay. During the Gold Cup, we heard quite a bit about the time you and your dad were able to have together during COVID. I think it was said that that was the time that Greg realized that you had a shot. I don't know if he meant a shot to be a national team player, maybe just a pro, whatever. But what did you take from those sessions together with you two? Yeah, I think I've said it before, but it was one of the hardest moments of my career. You know, I wasn't even playing with the team. I was just working my dad.

And, yeah, I think he, you know, I learned. so much, I think, mentally in that moment, you know, how far I could push myself and where my limits were. You know, I think, obviously, you know, your club seems push you, but it's only to an extent, you know, they don't want to kill you for the next game. They don't want you to be in a tough spot. So he really pushed me. And now, like, I have that confidence that, you know, nothing can be as hard as what I did then. And for me, that's, you know, that's great. And I'm super thankful that he did that with me. So it was a type of situation where your parents were kind of hands off, but then once you kind of, I guess, communicated to your dad like, hey, I really want

this. Then he started probably pushing you more, like, okay, if you want this, then this is what you have to do. Yeah, I think he would always come in with guidance and advice. But no, again, like, I think he was very hands off, you know, both of them. And they were just there supporting and loving and, you know, caring for me through the good and the bad. And then during COVID, I think that's when, you know, obviously, you had time and we went through a lot, a lot of good stuff. So you went from watching this team for a while. to now playing for the team but when you were just you know around the team how old did you get to know some of these guys and um a little bit you know a couple of them i played youth you know just against

they're just seeing them around and kind of know them um yeah not not super close i might have said hi a couple times and maybe just you know they might know my face but no not nothing crazy nothing that i like you know had boys in the team i would say but you wouldn't be like texting them and stuff no no no no no and now what's it like being Yeah, it's honestly surreal. You know, just like being with this group of guys, like, it's like sometimes I'm just like take a second. Like, damn, like I'm really here right now.

You know, I don't ever want to leave. And, you know, being around these guys, it's, it's watch them for so long. It's like, this is what I've dreamed of doing. Like, you know, make it that, you know, I'm never going to leave this place. So, yeah, it's pretty cool. Christian Polisic, how are you going to persuade him to let you take set pieces in this camp? And will the coaching stuff back you up with that? Yeah, that's got nothing to do with me, I think.

If he wants to take him, you can take them. And if they say they want me to take him, then I'll take him. You know, he's such a good guy. And regardless, I know he knows that the team trust him. He takes him no problem. You know, I'm not worried about that. I know he'll put in a great ball regardless. And yeah, whatever they decide, it's no problem.

Sebastian, you didn't come up through the youth national teams. And it wasn't long ago, like you were saying, that there was uncertainty about your MLS career. Now you're an all-star, USMNT player. What changed for you? I don't think anything changed. I think it was just more of just... Opportunity? No, I think it was more of just the work, you know, just to keep, you know, every year it's kind of been just a steady increase. And, you know, not everything just all of a sudden it clicked, you know, just kind of been steady each year getting a little bit better, a little bit better, and just keep working and finding ways to improve.

And, you know, now it's just at the point where I'm at where I'm at and, you know, this is, you know, people might be surprised or shocked, but, like, this is where I feel like I should be now, you know, and this is the progression that my career has led me to. What do you feel you still have to improve on in your game? Yeah, what are the things you're focusing on now? Yeah, a lot. I think, you know, just kind of keeping balls in tight areas. You know, I'm not a guy that dribbles, but, you know, just having that first step out of pressure sometimes. And then, yeah, just to keep winning balls, keep connecting the team from the buildup into the offensive third

and just little things like that. In an alternate universe, do you think your dad could have given you the same opportunities as Potch is giving you? I think he's a guy that's always saying. said that if you deserve it, you know, you're going to be there. If you don't deserve, you're not going to be there. And that goes for everyone, you know. And he was very big on if you're playing well, and if you deserve to be there,

you're going to be there. So I didn't, you know, deserve to be there when he was the coach. You know, I wasn't playing. It wasn't a starter. And that's right, you know. And I think regardless, I don't think he's a guy that really cares about what anyone else says. And if I deserve to be there, I think I would have been there.

And if not, then, you know, I would have been there. Oh, yeah, I meant more so, like, now, like, you know, not necessarily in the past when, you know, you were younger. Yeah, yeah. If I deserved it, I'd be there. If not, I wouldn't be there. Exactly. What's it like trying to make it as a player and having your dad be such a high-profile figure in the sport?

Obviously, there's advantages, but there's a lot of scrutiny, too. Yeah, I think, obviously the advantages behind the scenes is awesome. You know, like the advice you can give me, he's also played, you know, so, like, knowing what I've been through is something that I don't take for granted. and, you know, in any little things, he helps me out. And then, yeah, like, you know, the scrutiny is what it is. You know, it comes with it. And honestly, seeing him, like, it's kind of preparing me for what I have to go through, you know,

or whatever it is. So it's a good thing. Do you remember a moment when you realized, like, there was going to be that kind of scrutiny when you were super young and you kind of realized who your dad was in the sport? I mean, I think when I was, like, very young, you know, when I was, like, 10 years old, and, you know, the team's not winning, you know, and he's playing in Germany, and the fans are just going nuts. You know, you're thinking, shoot, like, I want my dad to win, you know,

and that's something that I've gone on my whole life, and I've seen him around, you know, he's been playing at the highest level. So I think everywhere he's been, it's like you want to win and, you know, you see that from a young age. Okay, so was that, was the level of scrutiny that you were aware of? Was it ratcheted up when he was the Minnesota team coach, or was that whole period of him playing and coaching kind of like the same for you? Yeah, I think I just, I understand it. I understand it's a high-profile job, you know, the national team coach, and you get that.

And, you know, for U.S. fans, this is also young, you know, like supporting the team like this hasn't really been there yet. You know, it hasn't really been there in this country. So it's brand new to everyone, you know, and that's something that thing that's important, that, you know, I mean, look at other countries like Brazil, they've had this for 200 years, you know, guys coming in and out and legends and, you know, a bunch of other players. And this is the first time, really, that, like, the whole country is really behind the team besides, you know, maybe the night before World Cup. So it's something that's new to everyone and something that, you know, we're all trying to figure out a little bit together. All right. So we saw when you missed that penalty in the Gold Cup, we saw the shot of your family.

Greg, cool, calm and collected, like a great sports dad should be, especially somebody who's been forged in the fires of competing his whole adult life, you know. Who did a better job as an observer? You watching your dad as coach back when you were a young tyke, or. Greg watching you play now. Definitely him. I was a mess. I think I was crying if we lost. If we won, I was going nuts.

I think I felt like, honestly, at all those teams has been as a player and a coach, like, I felt like I was an ultra. You know, I felt like I felt so much passion for the teams. And, you know, honestly, that passion probably rolled into the person I am too and the player I am because of being so, like, die hard with whatever team was with. Switching gears a bit here. You mentioned your time in Germany, so what are your memories of Europe like from when you were younger?

You had quite a journey through, correct me if I'm wrong, but Netherlands, England, Germany, Sweden a bit later. So yeah, what was that like and how absorbed were you in that soccer culture? Yeah, I was born in England, so I didn't see Netherlands. But yeah, I think that's something that just, you know, I'm just used to Saturdays going to games. you know, Saturday's going and watching my dad play. And, you know, that culture of soccer is special. You know, it's something that made me to the person I am today. You know, like everywhere you see kids just kicking balls and, you know, it's competitive.

And, you know, people just are trying to be better than the other person next to you, you know. And that's something that, you know, has helped me to where I'm at now. Were you playing, like, that much more than you would have in the U.S.? I know, like with Christian, right, when his mom got a fuller, right and he lived in england for a bit he talked about how he was playing every day in the school yard was it would it like that for you yeah i mean every recess every break i was playing soccer you know and in sweden and everywhere i was playing soccer every break there was so it was good what was there a culture shock for you come we just got interrupted by maricio paschino

everybody just to know just just so you all know what that with that little break was he touched my shoulder i'm never watching the shirt again anyway oh Was there a culture shock for you coming to the States after being abroad for that long as far as, like, you know, you obviously love this sport of soccer and then, you know, soccer is where it is here in the United States? Yeah, I think so. I think so. I think it's normal. Like, you know, obviously soccer's just within a big, you know, so I'm used to playing every break, you know, playing soccer. So, yeah.

That's wild. It's like, you're like, Greg's son. It's like the both never here. It's funny. Small world. Just to give you all the whole scene here. Two tables to our right, we have Yergen Cleansman. Here with his son, of course, has also been called up.

So, yeah, it's just homecoming vibes in this hotel lobby right now. I was going to say the name of the hotel. We don't need to do that at all. But anyway, Sebastian, what was it like being in the crew academy during Save the Crew? Yeah, it was tough, honestly, you know, because you grew up loving that team, you know, and then, you know, seeing it almost taken away from you, it was tough. I think everyone wanted the team to stay. And honestly, just seeing the fans how emotional they were about the team was so cool.

And that made me so proud to be a Columbus crew fan. What was the competition in that academy? You got Aiden, who's always killing it right now. Sean's here as well. Mechonelli's doing an MLS. Yeah, it was me. I mean, honestly, the midfield was me, Sean, Aiden, Emeka, and Isaiah Parente. And from early on, it was,

me, Isaiah, and Sean, and we were all the same. They're both a year older than me, and then Emeka was a year older than them. So Emeka was usually playing further up. He was always a number 10. I was a number 10, so I was like a younger number 10, and then Sean and Isaiah were a little bit deeper than I think the last two years, Aiden came, and then Aiden was Aiden, Sean, and Isaiah, and then I was with a younger age group, and Hemeca was even the older age group.

And honestly, Emeka was also incredible then. He kept by left wing, right wing, 10. I think he played fullback sometimes, and, like, he's always had that, like, change of pace and that quality. And then, yeah, I think, honestly, I just think that academy just helped us, you know, the midfields in, in particular, become, you know, had to be smart players and had to understand space. And just the way we played, it was tough to play like that when you're 14 years old, you know, always keeping the ball, you know, not kicking it long, like having to find, you know, where your next teammate is. And I think that all, that all, like, you know, made us into who we are today. this just came to me but you didn't make January camp and then worked your way into the Gold Cup camp right did you feel any type of way of being left out of the January camp no I mean I

think I started like 15 games last year you know so like no not at all wasn't even started for my team and I was playing right back in the playoffs so there's no there's no shot I thought I should have been there set pieces can be decisive in tournaments it's obviously well-documented documented your prowess in that. A lot of people are talking about that. What do you think is the key to a strong set piece program? I've heard you talk about the technology that you guys have used and the way you work with your coaches. But conceptually, generally, whether it's clever ideas versus reps and time and time versus technology, talk to us about that. What makes it work? I think the biggest thing is just the routine, you know, doing the same thing every single time. And you take out a lot of variability when you do that. So for me, it's about taking the same steps back. you know, plays in the ball in the same way, put my foot in the same way, and, you know, kind of just minimizes that margin for error. And with that, for me, that's been the biggest thing,

just developing that routine and those habits before I take them and, you know, getting in a clear headspace and then just, you know, hit my shot. You know, if it goes where I want to go, it's almost like golf. You know, if it goes where I want to go, great. If not, like, that's okay. You know, I know I did the right steps to put in that spot. And nothing changes, I'm assuming, about the routine,

going from club to here, like you still do the same thing at training before, after, whenever? No, it's just more of the actual when I go to kick the ball. The routine is the same. You know, the training varies based on, you know, if it's emphasize it more, emsides it less, but it's more of just the way I kick it. It was always the same.

And the concepts to the set piece is like, do you come into camp here thinking like, you're telling the coaches like, hey, this is working for me in Vancouver, this is a good idea? Or is it just basically dictated by them? Like, this is what we're doing. Yeah, it's more of what they're doing because we have a lot of different players here. You know, a lot of guys that have strength in certain areas

that we don't have in Vancouver, you know? So they know that. And for me, it's just about putting, putting the ball where it needs to go. We talk a lot about on this pod, just about soccer skills in general, you know, how to develop them,

what's innate, what's not, kind of. So, the act of actually striking the ball. You know, we, like Jack McGlynn, for instance, it just comes off his foot differently, right, than other people. Do you think that's something

you're kind of born with, the ability to place a ball where you want? Obviously the work goes into it, but what is the bigger factor, you think? Yeah, I think what you said is the work. You know, I think, like Jack, I think there's deliberate practice. He scores all the time, you know, and even in training, like, he's always just finding corners. And he, well, I actually, I told him like yesterday, I was like, you do a really good job at just not hitting the same shot every time. You know, sometimes it's coming across his body.

Sometimes it's low in the corner. Sometimes it's high, you know, and he just knows where to put it. And I think that it's just like deliberately practicing that and, you know, making, sure when you're practicing it's not just you're not just kicking the ball around you know it's like wanting really wanting to score last see here appreciate your time today man um what do you think about the messy hype in general right now yeah i mean he's messy you know so he deserves every bit of the hype you know i think it's he's what he's done for the u.s is incredible what he's done for the mLS is incredible he's you know the amount of kids i see in vancuro with messy jerseys it's insane you know

Miami messy jerseys and it's it's cool is that no no no not at all Because it's the game, you know, we're all in the same game. And just to see that, you know, I'm not used to seeing that in Vancouver, you know, so just to see that in general is cool. And so it's what you want to see as a professional soccer player. You notice players getting annoyed about inter-M Miami, or is everyone like, oh, this is great? Yeah, I think, you know, honestly, for us, playing against them, it was like we just wanted to beat them, you know, and then we know that they have their own things, that they're good at, and they have their strengths, but they have their weaknesses, you know? and that for us, it was just about going out there and capitalizing on that. And look, they're a good team.

You want to beat the best teams, you know? And even they have all this hype, like, those are the teams you want to beat the most. You know, I think every team goes there just wanting to really win. In that game, in CCL, did anyone try to get his jersey after the game? Were you looking for it? Honestly, I have no idea. I don't think so. We talked about this yesterday or two days ago.

Because especially the second game, we won both games, so he wasn't in a good mood at all. You know, so I don't even think they tried. Yeah, second game, I don't think anyone even tried to get. get a jersey. Not that I know of. All right. Then one last one to get you out of here? What was your first flashy purchase once you started getting paid as a pro? Honestly, I don't even, I don't think I'm really a flashy guy. If I try to think back, you know, I can't tell you, I can't even, I can't even give you one.

You know, I'm just trying to save my money and, you know, hopefully, yeah. I got one more for you. Chicago or NYC. As a city? That's right. No, New York, New York City, I think New York City. He's got a jersey route to his dad. He knows the area right.

He's been here. I know how special it is. Don't worry. I know that. I know that. Yeah, a lot of people know about you, your interest, you come from a soccer family, obviously. What do you think fans maybe don't know about you that you like them to know,

whether it's stuff off the field, stuff you like to do? To be honest, I don't know. I just think, I don't know. I feel like I live like honestly a boring life, but in the sense that like the life that I want to live, you know, I go home and I just think about how can I recover the next day? You know, how can I feel as good as I can the next day? And that's truthfully when I get home, I'm just trying to, you know, feel as good as I can for the next day. And that's, I think that's what, you know, that's the reason why I'm here today, you know, because I care about that stuff and I want to be the best, you know. So doing those little things to make me feel good is, you know, what's important to me.

So give us one thing you enjoy outside of soccer? Golf, golf, coffee, friends, yeah, all of it, all of it. All right, well, he said it pretty humbly, but mentality monster, Sebastian Burlhalter. Thank you for joining us, man, and thank you for your time. We'll see you. Awesome. Thanks for having me.