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Losing a monumental coaching position is brutal, but former United States coach Gregg Berhalter has a way to continue supporting the team: his son.
Berhalter’s son, Sebastian Berhalter, is a midfielder for Team USA at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the former USA coach wrote a heartfelt letter to his son, which was published Tuesday.
Berhalter wrote in his note to Sebastian:
“The World Cup is one of those rare moments when the whole world stops and watches. It’s a beautiful setting, but it’s also a privilege, one that most people will never know. Enjoy every second. Enjoy the anthem. Enjoy the pressure. Enjoy the joy of competing alongside your teammates and representing something bigger than yourself.
“Moments like this change your life forever.
“But no matter what happens on the field, I hope you always remember this: I’m proud of you for who you are, not what you accomplish. You’ve stayed humble through all of this. You’ve stayed strong. You’ve stayed kind. And you’ve grown into an incredible young man.
“You earned this. I love you.”
Berhalter also said he admires how his son “has never taken anything for granted” and expressed how the two “share an experience that very few parents and children will ever share.”
Regarding the former United States coach, Berhalter, who played for the United States team, had two stints as the club’s coach: 2018-22 and 2023-24. His contract expired after the 2022 World Cup, in which Team USA was eliminated in the round of 16, and the federation opted to have interim head coaches before bringing Berhalter back in June 2023.
That said, Berhalter was fired after the US team failed to advance beyond the group at the 2024 Copa América; Former Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton coach Mauricio Pochettino has been hired as the new head coach of Team USA in September 2024.
Berhalter has been the head coach of the Chicago Fire (MLS) since 2024.
The 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup will be Sebastian Berhalter’s first time in a World Cup squad. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
As for young Berhalter, the 25-year-old is in his fifth season with the Vancouver Whitecaps (2022-26) and his seventh season in MLS overall; He spent his 2020 rookie campaign with the Columbus Crew, which won the MLS Cup Championship that year, and his second season with Austin FC (2021).
This season, Berhalter has scored six goals, four assists and a penalty. The Whitecaps lead the Western Conference at 10-2-2; The 2026 MLS season is currently paused due to the World Cup and the season will resume on July 16.
The march to the World Cup begins for Berhalter and Team USA on Friday night when they take on Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, CA, which can be seen at 9 pm ET on FOX and streamed on the FOX One app.
United States in the family
