Sebastian Berhalter named to MLS Team of Matchday 1

VANCOUVER, BC – Major League Soccer announced on Monday that Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielder Sebastian Berhalter has been named to the MLS Team of the Matchday for Matchday 1 following a strong performance in the 'Caps season-opening 1-0 win over Real Salt Lake at BC Place.

Berhalter put his stamp on the victory with a match high four key passes, while also taking six corner kicks.

Last year, Berhalter earned four selections to the MLS Team of the Matchday (Matchday 4, Matchday 25, Matchday 33, Matchday 38). The 2025 MLS All-Star, Best XI, and United States international was also named Player of Matchday 38. 

In 2025, the 'Caps were undefeated in MLS play when scoring the first goal, including the playoffs, at 17W-0L-4D, and 14W-0L-3D when leading at halftime.

12 different 'Caps were selected to the MLS Team of the Matchday a total of 30 times last season. In addition to Berhalter, Ali Ahmed (Matchday 33), Tristan Blackmon (Matchday 4, Matchday 7, Matchday 12), Mathías Laborda (Matchday 3, Matchday 27, Matchday 33), Thomas Müller (Matchday 30, Matchday 33), Jayden Nelson (Matchday 1), J.C. Ngando (Matchday 27), Édier Ocampo (Matchday 9, Matchday 35) Emmanuel Sabbi (Matchday 8, Matchday 21, Matchday 33), head coach Jesper Sørensen (Matchday 4, Matchday 8, Matchday 33), Pedro Vite (Matchday 1, Matchday 10), and Brian White (Matchday 2, Matchday 8, Matchday 12, Matchday 15).

Whitecaps FC are back at BC Place for two home matches this week. First, they host Costa Rican side C.S. Cartaginés in the second leg of Round One of the Concacaf Champions Cup. Kickoff is at 6:30 p.m. PT. The ‘Caps then host Toronto FC for their second MLS match of the season on Saturday, February 28 at 6:30 p.m. PT. For tickets to both matches, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets. 

F: Petar Musa (DAL), Julian Hall (RBNY), Sam Surridge (NSH)

M: Denis Bouanga (LAFC), Adri Mehmeti (RBNY), Stephen Eustáquio (LAFC), Guilherme (HOU)

D: Daniel Munie (SJ), Miles Robinson (CIN), Christopher McVey (SD)

GK: Kristijan Kahlina (CLT)

Coach: Marc Dos Santos (LAFC)

Bench: Maxime Crépeau (ORL), Cole Bassett (POR), Sebastian Berhalter (VAN), Marcel Hartel (STL), Warren Madrigal (NSH), Paul Rothrock (SEA), Anders Dreyer (SD), Logan Farrington (DAL), Tai Baribo (DC)