Gregg Berhalter: Couldnt…

If Gregg Berhalter found any positives in his dismissal as head coach of the United States, it was that his son’s, Sebastian, opportunity to embark on his own national team journey became clearer—one free from doubts of favoritism.

And that’s exactly what happened.

Mauricio Pochettino, who succeeded Gregg in 2024, officially included Sebastian on this summer’s World Cup roster as one of his midfielders—a choice his father calls “perfect.”

“I think about it all the time,” Gregg Berhalter shared with ESPN. “I could never have selected him myself.”

“But what I do know,” Berhalter continued, “is that everything is aligned as it should be. This is how life works—it’s his moment. It’s his time now.”

The Berhalters are not alone in representing the U.S. as a father-son duo on a World Cup roster; four years earlier, in Qatar, Gregg included Giovanni Reyna on his roster, having played with Reyna’s father, Claudio, in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups.

However, a father coaching his son presents a different dynamic.

Michael Bradley, a prominent midfielder and former U.S. captain, played regularly under his father, Bob, who managed the national team, including during the 2010 World Cup.

Despite Sebastian’s noticeable rise in his career over the past year, demonstrating his value to the Vancouver Whitecaps, he may still find himself more in a supporting role on the national team.

This reality would have made it challenging—if not impossible—for Gregg to select Sebastian over another candidate if he were still the coach.

“People would have scrutinized it and raised questions, even if he had earned it,” Gregg remarked. “Now, there’s no question—he deserves this, and he has earned it.”

Whenever Sebastian sought his father’s advice about representing the national team, Gregg’s guidance was consistent: Concentrate on your club performance, as excelling there will naturally lead to national team opportunities.

Following an impressive season with Vancouver last year, Sebastian showcased his skills under Pochettino at the Gold Cup last summer, continuing to impress during the early March matches against Belgium and Portugal.

Now, just four years after supporting his father from the stands, the roles have reversed.

“Every day is an opportunity—that’s his perspective,” Gregg expressed. “He’s incredibly mentally strong. I couldn’t be prouder of him. He’s prepared for this.”