Sebastian Berhalter has been the best player for the Vancouver Whitecaps this season. Unfortunately, they are not able to keep him.
The American midfielder is set to join Middlesbrough of the English Championship, as reported by The Athletic’s Tom Bogert last Thursday. Unless something drastic happens, Berhalter should be announced as a Middlesbrough player in the coming days.
The reported fee is around two million USD. There is a strong argument that the Whitecaps could’ve got more for Berhalter. However, it is better to get two million now and lose him on a free in the winter. It is a good return on a player that was bought for $50,000 in GAM from the Columbus Crew in the winter of 2022.
Berhalter is a huge loss for the Whitecaps.
It is too bad that Berhalter won’t be around for the Supporters Shield race and a potential run for MLS Cup. A major reason the Whitecaps made it to three finals in 2025 and are currently atop the Western Conference is Berhalter.
His creativity, set-piece delivery, defensive work, and ability to score screamers have made him one of the most important players for Vancouver. Berhalter and Andres Cubas’ partnership made them one of, if not the best, midfield duo in MLS. Now the Whitecaps don’t have their metronome.
Given that Berhalter impressed not just with the Whitecaps but also with the US men’s national team at the World Cup (he scored and assisted in the US’s 3-2 loss to Turkey), a move felt inevitable. Like Pedro Vite last summer (to Pumas) and Ali Ahmed (To Norwich City) last winter, Berhalter deserved a move.
Berhalter is currently tied for seventh in MLS in big chances created (11), third in accurate long balls per 90 (5.2), and tied for sixth in expected assists. (4.8). Those numbers will be tough to replace.
A new signing to replace Berhalter? Possibly a DP?
The Whitecaps clearly miss Berhalter. In their 0-0 draw in Minnesota on Saturday, they lacked the spark they usually had. Their attack was also disjointed, and the injuries to Bruno Caicedo, Kenji Cabrera and Emmanuel Sabbi did not help either.
Thomas Müller even said: “Berhalter, where are you?” when being asked to shout out a former teammate at training for the MLS All-Stars. The Whitecaps obviously need a replacement for the American international in the midfield next to Cubas and behind Müller.
The midfielder would have a similar profile to Berhalter: A player who is creative and can play well defensively. Basically, a box-to-box midfielder.
Who could that be? He would likely be a designated player. The ‘Caps currently have Ryan Gauld and Müller.
Things have been quiet on the transfer front from the Whitecaps. But knowing them, they are more than likely actively looking for a replacement as this article is being written.
A name that has been thrown out by ‘Caps fans on social media is Stephen Eustaquio. The Canadian international impressed at the World Cup and scored the winning goal in Canada’s Round of 32 win over South Africa. Like Berhalter, Eustaquio is a creative midfielder who does well with set pieces. He can also score goals from outside the box, though he doesn’t shoot as frequently as Berhalter.
Eustaquio spent the first half of the MLS season on loan at LAFC from FC Porto. The Canadian vice-captain managed to score one goal and tally one assist in 10 games with the Black and Gold.
Here is how Eustaquio (right side) compared to Berhalter (left side) via Sofascore. As you can see, the two of them are more or less covering the same amount of ground on the pitch. Berhalter edges Eustaquio in many areas, as he played more minutes (Eustaquio suffered a leg injury in March), but Eustaquio lost possession less than Berhalter and made more clearances.
Eustaquio may want more minutes and a move away from Porto. According to OneFootball, it looks like Porto is looking to sell Eustaquio, as he is linked with a move to Greek side Olympiacos. Could the Whitecaps be willing to toss the bag for Eustaquio? He could be worthy of a DP spot.
Nathan Durec and I mentioned Eustaquio as an option to replace Berhalter on the latest episode of the Terminal City FC podcast. Another name we mentioned is Leon Goretzka. Perhaps Müller could get on the phone with his former Bayern teammate? The 31-year-old left Bayern as a free agent. He was in talks with the Chicago Fire a few weeks ago, but for whatever reason, talks broke down.
Goretzka is a lot closer to Berhalter than Eustaquio, as he is a true box-to-box midfielder with an excellent work rate, ball progression and is a threat in front of a goal. However, it seems he will likely stay in Europe as he has been linked with Juventus and is asking for a seven million Euros a year salary.
Another name to consider is Swiss midfielder Remo Freuler. The 34-year-old left Bologna as a free agent. While he is traditionally a defensive midfielder, he is capable of playing as a box-to-box midfielder. Freuler played all six of Switzerland’s games at the World Cup, including their wins over Canada, Algeria and Colombia in Vancouver. He and his teammates have spoken highly of being in Vancouver during the tournament.
Freuler has played as a holding midfielder with Switzerland and was used as a defensive and central midfielder with Bologna. Freuler is known for his solid progressive passing and is very smart defensively with a high work ethic. Though unlike Berhalter, he isn’t much of a shooter, but he makes up for it with the rest of his game. The Swiss midfielder could be another option for the Whitecaps that could slot next to Cubas.
Here is how Berhalter (left side) and Freuler (right side) compare via Sofascore. As you can see, both really know how to cover every inch of grass (or in Berhalter’s case, turf) on the pitch. Freuler edges Berhalter mostly on the defensive side.
Of course, these are just three options for a potential Berhalter replacement off the top of my head. You are welcome to suggest others.
What about internal options?
The Whitecaps do have internal options.
One of those is Jeevan Badwal. The native of Surrey is similar to Berhalter in many ways. Badwal is naturally a box-to-box midfielder. However, he is capable of playing as an attacking midfielder or a right winger. Remember, Berhalter can also play multiple positions as well. Former Whitecaps head coach Vanni Sartini had Berhalter playing as a right midfielder, defensive midfielder and even as a right wing-back.
Like Berhalter, Badwal has proven to be a good progressive passer and creator and is solid defensively. At just 20, Badwal’s underlying numbers aren’t too shabby. Of course, there is still lots of room for growth.
There is also Oliver Larraz, who was signed as a free agent last winter. The former Colorado Rapid is also very good at set pieces and defensively. But he is more a depth piece than an everyday starter. Larraz can also get flat-footed defensively, like in the 4-3 loss to FC Cincinnati. (Perhaps that was the result of him getting a rare start this season.) There is also JC Ngando. The Whitecaps first-round pick in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft has only played three games in MLS and made just one start. (112 total minutes.) He has a high work rate and is a creator in the final third, though he is inconsistent defensively.
Out of all the internal options, Badwal is the best Berhalter replacement. Given the similarities between the two, Badwal has the potential to be like Berhalter in a few years. Badwal is also one to watch for the Canada men’s national team for the 2030 World Cup. But as mentioned, Badwal is still raw and one for the future.
What will the Whitecaps do?
It seems best that the Whitecaps sign a proven replacement for Berhalter. Their window to win MLS Cup is open, and they need to make sure they can go on a deep run and challenge for the Supporters Shield. The Whitecaps seemed to have lost their rhythm without Berhalter, and they need a metronome in the midfield.
Berhalter will be missed. He will join a Middlesbrough side that made it to the Championship play-off final (They lost the semi-final, but Southampton got caught spying) last season, but they lost to Hull. Berhalter will join a side poised to get promotion to the Premier League that has the likes of Canadian international centre-back Alfie Jones and his old friend and Columbus Crew teammate Aidan Morris.
So now it will be interesting to see if the Whitecaps sign his replacement.
It’s been quiet from the Whitecaps regarding transfer activity, but hopefully this is the calm before the storm.
*Stats courtesy of Sofascore and FotMob*
Discover more from A51
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
