By OkayGoal
Sebastian Berhalter and Gio Reyna were both in different club situations during the 2026 FIFA World Cup but plenty has changed for both since.
Both Berhalter and Reyna are back with the U.S. Men’s National Team this month for their first international action since the summer tournament. For Berhalter, he’s continued through the early stages of the EFL Championship season with Middlesbrough after making the move from the Vancouver Whitecaps earlier in the summer.
Berhalter has fit right in to Kim Hellberg’s squad, scoring two goals and adding two assists in 10 appearances. While trading MLS for England’s second-tier has certainly been an adjustment, Berhalter has enjoyed the early days on Teesside.
“I think just how much they love football over there and the intensity of it is incredible,” Berhalter said in a conference call Monday.
“And being in a small town, they live, breathe and eat it, and it’s fun,” he added. “It’s a game every couple days and it’s a grind, but it’s what you want as football player.”
Berhalter’s move to Middlesbrough not only provided the 25-year-old with a new challenge but also with some familiarity amongst his teammates. He is one of four American players in the squad, joining up with Aidan Morris, Max Arfsten, and Rokas Pukstas
Morris is in the midst of his third season abroad while Berhalter, Arfsten, and Pukstas are new faces to English Football. Berhalter has enjoyed the opportunity to be with a trio of fellow Americans, knowing that they all have the same team goals.
“It feels almost like a fake European experience because you’re hanging out with your boys every day,” Berhalter said.
“You have Aiden who’s pretty much crash course the whole city, knows where to go and maybe where not to go,” he added. “But yeah, it’s fun. We’re enjoying it and we have a good team, so we have a clear goal to be promoted by the end of the year, but it’s good. It’s fun and want to keep going.”
As for Reyna, he is in a new opportunity of his own after spending majority of his club career to date in Germany. Reyna joined Ligue 1 side Strasbourg in a permanent deal from Borussia Moenchengladbach, providing him with the chance of earning consistent playing time elsewhere.
With five appearances and one goal already under his belt in France, Reyna has been pleased with the competitiveness of Ligue 1.’
“France has surprised me. The talent and teams I’ve played in so far have been very, very impressive,” Reyna said. “So yeah, I’m very, very happy so farIt started well. Obviously takes time to settle into places in terms of obviously getting to know your teammates and coach and of course living situation as well. But yeah, it’s going well so far.”
Reyna is trying to get back on track at club level after struggling to be a starter over the past few seasons. Between fighting off injuries and competing with other top international talents, it’s been a tough go for Reyna between his final days at Borussia Dortmund and his lone season with Gladbach.
Strasbourg’s push to fight for Europe paired with Hugo Oliveira’s aspirations in his first season at the helm fit Reyna’s beliefs on what he wanted from his next club role.
“It was desperate at times over the last couple years just to be on the field, whether it was injuries or maybe the situation, but obviously speaking of the club and speaking to the coach, right away I directly knew that I wanted to make the step there, gave me a great feeling,” he added. “Soccer fits me, the club project fits me as well.”