NEW YORK — Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter is heading back to Major League Soccer’s all-star game.

The 25-year-old American was one of the first 11 players named to the roster Friday following voting by fans and media. The group will be joined by 13 other athletes chosen by all-star team head coach Dean Smith (Charlotte FC), and two hand-picked by MLS commissioner Don Garber.

Berhalter made his first all-star game appearance last season, and went on to be named to the league’s “best XI” of the campaign after helping Vancouver make it to the MLS Cup final for the first time.

He has six goals and seven assists for the ‘Caps over 14 regular-season games this year, and is set to play for the United States in the FIFA World Cup this summer.

The other 10 players named on Friday include Nashville SC attacking midfielder Hany Mukhtar, Los Angeles FC forward Son Heung-Min, and Inter Miami legend Lionel Messi.

This year’s all-star game will take place in Charlotte, N.C., on July 29, pitting some of the league’s top talents against a group of LIGA MX all stars.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 4, 2026.