CITY LINES:
SEBASTIAN
BERHALTER
Interview & Photos: Tagwa Moyo
In North America, there is no better time to be a sports fan than during the playoffs—something our friends overseas may not truly understand. Fall means playoff footy across all leagues, and we wanted to showcase why this time of year is so special.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be chopping it up with players from the MLS, CPL, and NSL as they prepare for the biggest games of their respective seasons. We caught up with Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter ahead of what he — and the city of Vancouver — hope is a run to win the club’s first-ever MLS Cup.
Tap in as we talk to Berhalter about growing into a leader, playing alongside Müller, and seeing firsthand the growth of his club over the past few years.
DARBY: How would you describe yourself in one sentence to someone who may not know you?
SB: Yeah, I think it’s just a kid who loves doing what they do every day and loves making people happy.
Throughout your career — and before it too — who are people in and out of football who’ve shaped the person and the player that you are today?
SB: Yeah, I played baseball and lacrosse, and there was one year I wanted to play football (American football), but my dad looked at me and said, “I think you’re a little bit too small for football.” So I gave up that dream real quick, and then, yeah, it was kind of soccer since then.
Were there any footballers growing up or during your career that had a real impact on how you play now?
SB: Yeah, so I think at Columbus, when I was growing up, Federico Higuaín and Wil Trapp were just two guys that, you know, kind of different, but both midfielders that had a certain swag about them — something I admired. They both had quality in really different ways. I think Federico’s creativity was just off the charts, and then Wil — his long balls, his cleanliness on the ball — that’s something that I admired too. So honestly, I think you look at it now, and I feel like I’m somewhere in the middle of those two.
Throughout your career and before too, who were people outside of football who shaped the person you are as a player, but also as a human?
SB: Yeah, I think my mom and dad are probably the biggest ones for sure. They were kind of like, if you want to do this, you’ve got to get it done. They were always so loving, supportive, and guiding, but I had to put in the work. No one was telling me, “You have to be the best.” I had to find it myself.
That’s where I nurtured my love for the game, because I looked at myself one day and was like, all right, I’m gonna do this. I’m gonna give it everything I can to make this dream come true. I was about 13 years old, sitting in my basement, and I was just like, all right, let’s go.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be chopping it up with players from the MLS, CPL, and NSL as they prepare for the biggest games of their respective seasons. We caught up with Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter ahead of what he — and the city of Vancouver — hope is a run to win the club’s first-ever MLS Cup.
Tap in as we talk to Berhalter about growing into a leader, playing alongside Müller, and seeing firsthand the growth of his club over the past few years.
DARBY: How would you describe yourself in one sentence to someone who may not know you?
SB: Yeah, I think it’s just a kid who loves doing what they do every day and loves making people happy.
Throughout your career — and before it too — who are people in and out of football who’ve shaped the person and the player that you are today?
SB: Yeah, I played baseball and lacrosse, and there was one year I wanted to play football (American football), but my dad looked at me and said, “I think you’re a little bit too small for football.” So I gave up that dream real quick, and then, yeah, it was kind of soccer since then.
Were there any footballers growing up or during your career that had a real impact on how you play now?
SB: Yeah, so I think at Columbus, when I was growing up, Federico Higuaín and Wil Trapp were just two guys that, you know, kind of different, but both midfielders that had a certain swag about them — something I admired. They both had quality in really different ways. I think Federico’s creativity was just off the charts, and then Wil — his long balls, his cleanliness on the ball — that’s something that I admired too. So honestly, I think you look at it now, and I feel like I’m somewhere in the middle of those two.
Throughout your career and before too, who were people outside of football who shaped the person you are as a player, but also as a human?
SB: Yeah, I think my mom and dad are probably the biggest ones for sure. They were kind of like, if you want to do this, you’ve got to get it done. They were always so loving, supportive, and guiding, but I had to put in the work. No one was telling me, “You have to be the best.” I had to find it myself.
That’s where I nurtured my love for the game, because I looked at myself one day and was like, all right, I’m gonna do this. I’m gonna give it everything I can to make this dream come true. I was about 13 years old, sitting in my basement, and I was just like, all right, let’s go.
Where does that come from? Where did that idea of I’m gonna be the best come from — especially because you said your parents weren’t really pushing you?
SB: Obviously growing up around my dad — he already had a huge impact on my life. Every team he was a part of, I was basically like an ultra for that team. I can still see in my head the decision to want to do it. I was just sitting in the basement and my dad maybe gave me a speech like, “You think you’re good? How hard do you work? Are you training?” He wasn’t keeping track, but he would ask, and I’d be like, “Yeah, I’m training.” But then I had to be real with myself — I wasn’t. I realized I wasn’t even close.
If I wanted this, I’d have to work harder than every kid out there. I used to tell myself, the kid in Brazil, the kid in Europe, the kid in Africa — what are they doing right now?
What are things that bring you joy away from the pitch?
SB: Friends and family are the biggest. It sounds cliché, but having a couple of the guys on the team over, or just friends in general — that really makes me happy. Even FaceTiming my buddies that aren’t here or talking to my mom — she’s my rock, I talk to her almost every day.
Having her makes my day better. Then we do these great group FaceTime calls with my three little siblings. I think family and friends are the biggest thing. And honestly, it sounds stupid, but I really enjoy just trying to be better. I love recovering, I love the grind. My first four years were all about the grind inside the lines — I had to do extra because I wasn’t playing much. Now I’m transferring that same mindset off the field: getting good sleep, doing everything I can to be 100% recovered.
Why do you think it’s important to have things separate from football?
SB: I think it helps to have a life outside of it. In my first couple years, I would’ve said no — I’d have said, “All I need is football, and I’ll be all right.” But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized you’re not just doing it for yourself; you’re doing it for your family, your city, your country.
Football isn’t the end-all, be-all. There are bigger things in life — relationships, people you love. At the end of the day, it’s a game. The great part is that it inspires so many kids and makes people happy. But that can’t be all there is to life. There has to be more than just kicking a ball.
What are some things you’ve discovered about Vancouver or Canada that you had no clue about before — footy-related and non-footy-related?
SB: I mean, the nature of the city is incredible. Every day I look outside my balcony and think, I’ll never live in a city like this again. It’s insane. I try to take full advantage of that — I don’t want to look back and think, I should’ve done more.
Footy-wise, it’s been really rewarding. When I first came, we didn’t have a real vision of what we wanted to be. Now, year after year, we’ve built camaraderie and competitiveness to take the next step. The fans have been amazing, and I feel like this is the first year we’ve really connected with them. I see familiar faces now. The hype around the team is at an all-time high — where we’re at now, it’s all about a deep playoff run, winning a trophy, baby.
SB: Obviously growing up around my dad — he already had a huge impact on my life. Every team he was a part of, I was basically like an ultra for that team. I can still see in my head the decision to want to do it. I was just sitting in the basement and my dad maybe gave me a speech like, “You think you’re good? How hard do you work? Are you training?” He wasn’t keeping track, but he would ask, and I’d be like, “Yeah, I’m training.” But then I had to be real with myself — I wasn’t. I realized I wasn’t even close.
If I wanted this, I’d have to work harder than every kid out there. I used to tell myself, the kid in Brazil, the kid in Europe, the kid in Africa — what are they doing right now?
What are things that bring you joy away from the pitch?
SB: Friends and family are the biggest. It sounds cliché, but having a couple of the guys on the team over, or just friends in general — that really makes me happy. Even FaceTiming my buddies that aren’t here or talking to my mom — she’s my rock, I talk to her almost every day.
Having her makes my day better. Then we do these great group FaceTime calls with my three little siblings. I think family and friends are the biggest thing. And honestly, it sounds stupid, but I really enjoy just trying to be better. I love recovering, I love the grind. My first four years were all about the grind inside the lines — I had to do extra because I wasn’t playing much. Now I’m transferring that same mindset off the field: getting good sleep, doing everything I can to be 100% recovered.
Why do you think it’s important to have things separate from football?
SB: I think it helps to have a life outside of it. In my first couple years, I would’ve said no — I’d have said, “All I need is football, and I’ll be all right.” But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized you’re not just doing it for yourself; you’re doing it for your family, your city, your country.
Football isn’t the end-all, be-all. There are bigger things in life — relationships, people you love. At the end of the day, it’s a game. The great part is that it inspires so many kids and makes people happy. But that can’t be all there is to life. There has to be more than just kicking a ball.
What are some things you’ve discovered about Vancouver or Canada that you had no clue about before — footy-related and non-footy-related?
SB: I mean, the nature of the city is incredible. Every day I look outside my balcony and think, I’ll never live in a city like this again. It’s insane. I try to take full advantage of that — I don’t want to look back and think, I should’ve done more.
Footy-wise, it’s been really rewarding. When I first came, we didn’t have a real vision of what we wanted to be. Now, year after year, we’ve built camaraderie and competitiveness to take the next step. The fans have been amazing, and I feel like this is the first year we’ve really connected with them. I see familiar faces now. The hype around the team is at an all-time high — where we’re at now, it’s all about a deep playoff run, winning a trophy, baby.
You’ve been at the Caps for three years now — become one of the first names on the team sheet week after week. What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned about yourself through this journey so far?
SB: When I first started, I was trying to do every single thing possible — on the field, off the field — recovery, journaling, meditating, you name it. I’d schedule out my days like, from 1:30 to 2 I’ll read, from 2 to 2:30 I’ll… every single day. It helped me understand what I need and what I don’t need. At the moment it was too much, but doing all that helped me figure out what actually works for me — what helps me. Do I need to do this every day, or just before games? Doing the extreme helped me figure myself out and see what really matters.
Ranko, Sam, Tristan, Gauld — you guys have been tested with injuries all year. In this time you’ve taken on more of a leadership role. What has that experience been like for you, embracing that next man up mentality?
SB: Yeah, I think personally nothing really changes. Wearing the armband and being captain is super special, but I’m just going to keep doing me. I work 100% every game, not because I’m captain, but because that’s who I am. I also go to almost every guy before a match and say, Hey, I need your help. Help lead these guys. Leadership isn’t just one person — it’s the whole team.
I’m super grateful, and it’s something I’ve dreamed about since I was a kid. So to be able to do it definitely feels special.
The mentality of the team was already super strong. Add world-class baller Thomas Müller to the fold, and it’s kinda like the final Infinity Ring. How sick has it been getting to train and play with Müller?
SB: Yeah, he’s rare in the fact that he wants to win every time he’s on the field. He gives 110% and wants people to be better. Some guys come into the league, put up their numbers, and go about their business. But he actively seeks out others to help and improve their game. That’s been the coolest thing — he’ll go to 19-year-olds or 32-year-olds and say, “Hey, let’s work on this,” or “What do you think of that?” He’s even come to me showing clips from games and saying, “Let’s look at a couple of these.”
It’s surreal. As a football fan, you think, Wow, this guy really cares. I’ve already asked him how I can be better, what steps I can take. Him doing little things like that means a lot — hopefully I can just keep learning from him.
It’s October, and y’all are about to play the most important kind of games there are — postseason, which makes North American sports special. We hear it all the time from players: one match at a time. But it surely means more to y’all.
SB: Oh, a thousand percent. I just got chills thinking about it. This is what we’ve been waiting for the whole season — all the work you put in is for the playoffs, to win the trophy.
The feeling of being in those intense games — the pressure, the fans — that gets me so excited. These are the moments you live for, man. I’ve spent the last few years on my couch during Thanksgiving watching the playoffs thinking, damn, we should be there. This year, I believe we’ll go all the way.
SB: When I first started, I was trying to do every single thing possible — on the field, off the field — recovery, journaling, meditating, you name it. I’d schedule out my days like, from 1:30 to 2 I’ll read, from 2 to 2:30 I’ll… every single day. It helped me understand what I need and what I don’t need. At the moment it was too much, but doing all that helped me figure out what actually works for me — what helps me. Do I need to do this every day, or just before games? Doing the extreme helped me figure myself out and see what really matters.
“Doing the extreme helped me figure myself out and see what really matters.”
Ranko, Sam, Tristan, Gauld — you guys have been tested with injuries all year. In this time you’ve taken on more of a leadership role. What has that experience been like for you, embracing that next man up mentality?
SB: Yeah, I think personally nothing really changes. Wearing the armband and being captain is super special, but I’m just going to keep doing me. I work 100% every game, not because I’m captain, but because that’s who I am. I also go to almost every guy before a match and say, Hey, I need your help. Help lead these guys. Leadership isn’t just one person — it’s the whole team.
I’m super grateful, and it’s something I’ve dreamed about since I was a kid. So to be able to do it definitely feels special.
The mentality of the team was already super strong. Add world-class baller Thomas Müller to the fold, and it’s kinda like the final Infinity Ring. How sick has it been getting to train and play with Müller?
SB: Yeah, he’s rare in the fact that he wants to win every time he’s on the field. He gives 110% and wants people to be better. Some guys come into the league, put up their numbers, and go about their business. But he actively seeks out others to help and improve their game. That’s been the coolest thing — he’ll go to 19-year-olds or 32-year-olds and say, “Hey, let’s work on this,” or “What do you think of that?” He’s even come to me showing clips from games and saying, “Let’s look at a couple of these.”
It’s surreal. As a football fan, you think, Wow, this guy really cares. I’ve already asked him how I can be better, what steps I can take. Him doing little things like that means a lot — hopefully I can just keep learning from him.
It’s October, and y’all are about to play the most important kind of games there are — postseason, which makes North American sports special. We hear it all the time from players: one match at a time. But it surely means more to y’all.
SB: Oh, a thousand percent. I just got chills thinking about it. This is what we’ve been waiting for the whole season — all the work you put in is for the playoffs, to win the trophy.
The feeling of being in those intense games — the pressure, the fans — that gets me so excited. These are the moments you live for, man. I’ve spent the last few years on my couch during Thanksgiving watching the playoffs thinking, damn, we should be there. This year, I believe we’ll go all the way.
The city of Vancouver has been longing for a major sporting celebration. You were close with the Champions League and just narrowly missed out on first place in the West. Do you use those moments as motivation, or is it more on to the next?
SB: I think you use it. Mexico hurt, man — even just the way we lost that game really hurt.
But honestly, I think of the positives. I remember two years ago when the Canucks had a big run — the way the city transformed was mind-blowing. I couldn’t believe it. That’s the kind of energy I want for the Whitecaps.
Seeing how Vancouver comes alive — that’s what fires me up. I hope we can be the ones to give the city that same feeling.
What does it mean to you to represent this city within the lines?
SB: We were speaking about it earlier, but I feel like — yeah, I’m American — but I have this pride for Canada. It’s almost like we’re the underdog. We’re far out west, we play on turf, and not many people know about us. I have this pride to make Vancouver the best team in MLS.
From day one, when Tristan Blackmon and I came to the club, we went into a fan shop and saw Canucks, Blue Jays, and Raptors gear — but not one Whitecaps thing. We looked at each other and said, one day, we’ll change that.
That’s the pride I have for the city and fans. They’ve been tremendous. I’m so happy to be part of this journey — it’s been one of the most rewarding things in my life, seeing how much the club has grown in such a short time. Hopefully we get it done and make everyone proud. The city’s gonna go crazy, man.
SB: I think you use it. Mexico hurt, man — even just the way we lost that game really hurt.
But honestly, I think of the positives. I remember two years ago when the Canucks had a big run — the way the city transformed was mind-blowing. I couldn’t believe it. That’s the kind of energy I want for the Whitecaps.
Seeing how Vancouver comes alive — that’s what fires me up. I hope we can be the ones to give the city that same feeling.
“Seeing how Vancouver comes alive — that’s what fires me up. I hope we can be the ones to give the city that same feeling.”
What does it mean to you to represent this city within the lines?
SB: We were speaking about it earlier, but I feel like — yeah, I’m American — but I have this pride for Canada. It’s almost like we’re the underdog. We’re far out west, we play on turf, and not many people know about us. I have this pride to make Vancouver the best team in MLS.
From day one, when Tristan Blackmon and I came to the club, we went into a fan shop and saw Canucks, Blue Jays, and Raptors gear — but not one Whitecaps thing. We looked at each other and said, one day, we’ll change that.
That’s the pride I have for the city and fans. They’ve been tremendous. I’m so happy to be part of this journey — it’s been one of the most rewarding things in my life, seeing how much the club has grown in such a short time. Hopefully we get it done and make everyone proud. The city’s gonna go crazy, man.