Mauricio Pochettino Reveals What Makes Sebastian Berhalter So Important for the USMNT

The USMNTWorld Cup roster includes many familiar names under Maricio Pochettino's tenure as USMNT head coach.

One of the players who has appeared constantly in the USMNT roster over the last camps, including the Gold Cup last year, is Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter.

The American midfielder received his first USMNT cap last year under Pochettino and has since been one of the regular names in the following rosters. Berhalter seems to have Pochettino's trust and started against Senegal last weekend.

Pochettino's trust in the midfielder has left fans speculating that the Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder will be a starter for the USMNT during the World Cup. After the game against Senegal, Pochettino revealed what he thinks of Berhalter.

Mauricio Pochettino on Sebastian Berhalter

Sebastian Berhalter played 76 minutes against Senegal last weekend, and he was one of the players that Mauricio Pochettino highlighted.

Pochettino praised Berhalter's performance against Senegal and backed his decision to call him up for the USMNT World Cup roster.

Pochettino said, "He can play two games in a row. He's a monster. He's a monster, in the way of how professional he is. I think he deserved to be in the roster and today, [I'm] happy too with his performance."

Pochettino revealed Berhalter's commitment to the national team and enjoys having a player like him, who constantly looks to train and improve. Pochettino said, "He's the type of player who's going to train, going to train, going to train. I mean, sometimes I have to say [to him], ‘Go inside,' no? For a coach, it's always a pleasure to have a profile like him [Berhalter]."

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This story was originally published June 6, 2026 at 7:12 AM.