{"id":827609,"date":"2026-07-26T18:02:12","date_gmt":"2026-07-26T18:02:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/827609\/"},"modified":"2026-07-26T18:02:12","modified_gmt":"2026-07-26T18:02:12","slug":"the-whitecaps-badly-need-to-replace-sebastian-berhalter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/827609\/","title":{"rendered":"The Whitecaps badly need to replace Sebastian Berhalter"},"content":{"rendered":"

Article content<\/p>\n

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Sebastian Berhalter\u2019s transfer to Middlesbrough isn\u2019t yet complete, he\u2019s only been out of the Whitecaps\u2019s fold for a few days, but it\u2019s already blatantly obvious how much trouble the MLS team is in without him.<\/p>\n

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Sporting director Axel Schuster needs to find a replacement, fast.<\/p>\n

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This is the challenge of being a top MLS side that also is tight on budget: you chase after young players, players who could very well come into their own and then be targets for bigger, richer clubs abroad.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s happened with Berhalter, just as it happened with Pedro Vite last year. Two seasons, two top box to box midfielders gone.<\/p>\n

If it was ever clear how badly the Whitecaps need a player in the mould of Vite or Berhalter, it\u2019s right now, with both of them gone. The Whitecaps played in Cincinnati on Wednesday and then again in Minneapolis on Saturday.<\/p>\n

\"whitecaps\" The Vancouver Whitecaps FC starting XI pose for a group photo before the first half against Minnesota United FC at Allianz Field on July 25, 2026. Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn \/Getty Images<\/p>\n

In Cincinnati, they fell 4-3 despite a ferocious fight-back after falling behind early. They came close several times to tying the game up, but it was too little too late in a game that had been very loosely played, lacking the kind of control that Berhalter had brought to the pitch every week from defensive midfield.<\/p>\n

And again, Saturday in Minnesota, the Caps were lacking a cutting edge in midfield. The game never got any flow and it\u2019s no surprise it finished a 0-0 draw.<\/p>\n

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There\u2019s lots of high quality still in the lineup, with Ryan Gauld starting in attacking midfield on Wednesday, Thomas Muller in the same spot on Saturday. What a duo to choose from. Brian White leading the front line? The likes of Edier Ocampo, Tristan Blackmon and Ranko Veselinovic in the backline? Andres Cubas, Bruno Caicedo, Jeevan Badwal, Cheikh Sabaly spread around the midfield? Ralph Priso, Emmanuel Sabbi and Kenji Cabrera in the infirmary but hopefully back soon?<\/p>\n

That\u2019s a good squad that could be great again if the right midfielder is added to it.<\/p>\n

\"whitecaps\" Sam Adekugbe #3 of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC shoots during the second half against Minnesota United FC at Allianz Field on July 25, 2026. Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn \/Getty Images<\/p>\n

And it\u2019s imperative they do: this is a team that surged to the summit of Major League Soccer based on the strength of their double pivot, with Cubas and Berhalter directing the flow of play.<\/p>\n

All due respect to the other options in midfield at the moment, but there\u2019s just not enough there right now.<\/p>\n

The squad must be bulked up, somehow, some way.<\/p>\n

Heck if Inter Miami can sign Casemiro \u2014 and how did they pull that off, by the way? \u2014 the Whitecaps can find a quality midfielder, surely.<\/p>\n

pjohnston@postmedia.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Read More<\/p>\n

\"General <\/p>\n

If you wanted to buy B.C. Place, what would it cost?<\/p>\n

<\/a> \"Sebastian <\/p>\n

Whitecaps’ Sebastian Berhalter is off to Middlesbrough FC<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

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