Sebastian Berhalter delivered one of the United States’ top moments in a late World Cup loss Thursday night.
Berhalter scored his first World Cup goal in his first World Cup start as the U.S. Men’s National Team fell 3-2 to Turkey in its final Group D match at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California.
The goal came in the 49th minute and tied the match 2-2 after Turkey carried a 2-1 lead into halftime. Berhalter also delivered the corner kick that led to Auston Trusty’s first World Cup goal, the opener for the Americans. Arda Güler and Orkun Kökçü scored for Turkey before the late winner.
Berhalter started in midfield as head coach Mauricio Pochettino made nine changes from the lineup that beat Australia, with Ricardo Pepi and Weston McKennie the only two holdovers in the starting 11.
Berhalter entered the Turkey match with 61 minutes across two substitute appearances in wins over Paraguay and Australia.
U.S. Still Advances
The defeat did not end the Americans’ run. The U.S. had already secured the top spot in Group D and will face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32.
The Round of 32 is new to the expanded 48-team World Cup format, making this the U.S. men’s team’s first appearance in that specific stage. More broadly, this marks the eighth time the U.S. has reached a World Cup knockout round, following 1930, 1934, 1994, 2002, 2010, 2014, and 2022.
DXSN Segment Returns To Spotlight
Berhalter’s first World Cup goal gives Dallas Express Sports Network a fresh reason to revisit its recent father-son World Cup segment featuring Sebastian and Gregg Berhalter.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Gregg sent Sebastian a letter before the World Cup about his son’s soccer career, the work behind his rise, and what it means for both father and son to represent the United States on the sport’s biggest stage.
“What I admire most about you is that you’ve never taken anything for granted,” the letter said. “You understood early on that nothing would be handed to you.”
Gregg also told Sebastian that soccer would not define his pride in him.
“I’m proud of you because of who you are, not because of what you accomplished,” the letter said.
Sebastian called his father his best friend and said he hopes to one day be “half the father” Gregg has been to him.
Watch the full DXSN moment below.
