Whitecaps: Is Sebastian Berhalter the best player (other than Messi) in MLS?

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If you have to name the Vancouver Whitecaps’ biggest star, there’s no doubt that it’s Thomas Muller.

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What is the most important offensive weapon? If it’s not Muller, it’s obviously striker Brian White.

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But if you want to understand how this team actually operates, you have to go back even further to Sebastian Berhalter. At this point, it shouldn’t be much of a shock to learn that Berhalter is the real driving force behind this high-flying Whitecaps team.

The 25-year-old American has steadily improved since arriving in Vancouver four years ago. It can even feel exponential at times. He’s the son of the U.S. national team coach and arrived as a bit of a dice thrower who showed promise but never found a role in Columbus or Austin. He was so overlooked that Austin had no interest in keeping him around, even if he had just finished his first season.

You understand the story now. He found playing time under Vanni Sartini, got better and better, and in 2025 took his game to a whole new level under Jesper Sorensen. He also became a special player for U.S. national team coach Mauricio Pochettino, who first drafted him last summer. Berhalter has since won nine caps and scored in his most recent appearance, playing in the 5-1 defeat against Uruguay last November.

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He has six goals this season, which is an outstanding top-line item for him. But look at all the underlying numbers. He is a far cry from the player Sartini was aiming to be when he first arrived.

Now he’s an all-action man. Not only did he score six goals, he also provided seven assists. He is dangerous on set-pieces, taking all kinds of dips and curves from free-kicks and corners.

Whoscored.com rates him as the highest-rated midfielder in the entire league this season – apart from Lionel Messi, of course.

He has completed 34 key passes this season, according to American Soccer Analytics, and only a handful of players have done better this year.

That’s all impressive in itself, but remember that during open play Berhalter was deep in midfield, partnering Andres Cubas in defensive midfield. The two proved to be perfect partners for Sorensen’s double-pivot strategy.

Although he’s lined up as one, Berhalter isn’t really a defensive midfielder. Thanks to his fitness, he runs in all directions, attacks into the box and creates space in midfield behind Muller’s brilliance.

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On Saturday against San Diego, he had 83 touches, second only to Triston Blackman’s 84 and Eddie Ocampo’s 86. The difference is that he completed 91 percent of his passes.

If Berhalter doesn’t drive the play the way he does, the Caps won’t be able to beat San Diego 4-2. Müller and White were at their best, creating numerous scoring chances, but it was Berhalter behind them who pulled all the strings for this attack.

Without Berhalter, we can’t be at the top of the league standings.

Berhalter is increasingly becoming a poor man’s Xavi. The Spanish legend ran deep in Barcelona’s midfield against Spain, making important plays all over the pitch and being given the freedom to step forward when the opportunity presented itself, which was too often the case in both teams’ systems.

The Whitecaps’ strengths under Sorensen have been speed and fitness, and they have essentially out-maneuvered other teams both on and off the ball.

Berhalter was a great roll of the dice by sporting director Axel Schuster. If you want to understand what kind of player Schuster has been pursuing since arriving in Vancouver, it’s Berhalter.

He is a fast, focused and intelligent player who sets a standard for those around him.

He will continue to play a big role for the Whitecaps as they aim for MLS Cup.

Oh, and by the way, he needs a new contract.

His story is only going to get bigger.

pjohnston@postmedia.com

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