With his appearance against Paraguay,
Sebastian Berhalter and his father Gregg became the 24th father-son duo to play in FIFA
World Cup history, and the second for the United States, joining Claudio and Gio Reyna.
We have 5️⃣ players with MLS NEXT Pro experience representing the USMNT! 🇺🇸
Congrats Matt Freese, Alex Freeman, Chris Brady, Max Arfsten, and Sebastian Berhalter!
By starting and wearing the captain's armband for the U.S. Men's National Team tonight, @CharlotteFC defender and 2026 MLS All-Star Tim Ream became the first MLS player to captain the U.S. at a FIFA World Cup since Clint Dempsey in 2014.
By starting in goal for the U.S. Men’s National Team in its opening FIFA World Cup match against Paraguay, Matt Freese (@newyorkcityfc ) became the first active MLS player to start a World Cup match in goal for the U.S.
By starting today’s match, former @ChicagoFire midfielder Brian Gutiérrez becomes the first MLS Homegrown player to start the opening match of a @FIFAWorldCup game for Mexico since Carlos Salcedo in 2018.
Al iniciar el partido de hoy, el exjugador de Chicago Fire FC Brian Gutiérrez se convierte en el primer jugador formado en la MLS en iniciar el partido inaugural de la Copa Mundial para México desde Carlos Salcedo en 2018.
By starting today's opening match against Mexico, @ChicagoFire defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi becomes the third @MLS player from Africa (CAF) to play in a @FIFAWorldCup, alongside Nouhou (Cameroon; 2022) and Uche Okafor (Nigeria; 1998).
A generation in the making 🌎🏆
Good luck to the 1️⃣9️⃣ players with MLS NEXT Pro experience who will represent their countries this summer at the @FIFAWorldCup!
Learn more: soc.cr/4aCAV8j
U.S. and Canada goalkeepers, a breakout South African star, and two teenagers highlight @MLS’ influence on the opening weekend of FIFA World Cup 2026:
mlssoccer.com/news/the-pitch…