The report says Berhalter, 25, has produced six goals and seven assists in 14 regular-season matches. Those are the numbers of a midfielder driving games rather than simply filling spaces.
That is usually how All-Star reputations are built in MLS. Flair helps, but production carries weight. Berhalter’s case appears to be built on both.
What stands out is that this no longer feels like a surprise storyline. The update says Berhalter made his All-Star debut last season and was later included in the league’s Best XI after helping Vancouver reach the MLS Cup final.
That matters because second acts are often harder than breakthroughs. Opponents adjust. Expectations rise. The easiest way to disappear is to prove the first surge was temporary. Berhalter seems to have avoided that trap. If anything, this season appears to be reinforcing last year’s climb.
The first wave reportedly also includes names such as Lionel Messi, Hany Mukhtar and Son Heung-min. That is elite company and a reminder of what the event is meant to showcase: players shaping the league’s season in real time.
The next point to watch is simple. The full squad still has to be completed ahead of 29 July in Charlotte, when MLS is set to face the Liga MX All-Stars. If Berhalter carries this form through the summer, his inclusion may end up looking inevitable rather than impressive.