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The Vancouver Whitecaps gave their fans quite the shock Wednesday when star midfielder Sebastian Berhalter was nowhere to be seen on their first MLS roster following the World Cup.

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The Caps were in Cincinnati Wednesday evening. Berhalter was neither starting nor on the bench.

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He’s had an electric season so far and his contract is up after this season. He played in the World Cup.

Logic alone says that European teams would be interested: this is a player who is in a crucial moment in his career.

During the team’s radio pregame show, broadcaster Asa Rehman said the Whitecaps had acknowledged to him on record that Berhalter and the team were in discussions about his future.

Teams from across the pond have called. Berhalter knows this. Anyone could imagine what he’s struggling with: that’s a mental load. You won’t be at 100 per cent.

And you’d be worried about getting injured too.

This is the irony of the Whitecaps’ success: they win, they play brilliant soccer, and they draw attention to their best players because of it.

More to come…

pjohnston@postmedia.com

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