Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images

Not Thomas Muller, Howard Warns Messi & Miami About Rising MLS Star- 'He's a Little Rat'

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Emmanuel Mendez | Last updated Dec 6, 2025 11:30 AM ET

The MLS Cup Final between Inter Miami and Vancouver Whitecaps will be played today at Chase Stadium. The match will feature star players like Lionel Messi and Thomas Muller.

Inter Miami and Vancouver Whitecaps have reached this stage due to the performances of their team, but also with the impact of Messi and Muller.

Former USMNT goalkeeper Tim Howard believes that Inter Miami and Messi should not be fully focused on Muller, despite the German attacking midfielder producing for the team.

Howard picks American midfielder Sebastian Berhalter as the player to watch from the Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS Cup Final.

VANCOUVER, CANADA - OCTOBER 5: Sebastian Berhalter #16 of the Vancouver Whitecaps is congratulated by teammate Thomas Muller #13 after scoring a goal against the San Jose Earthquakes during the second half of MLS action at BC Place on October 5, 2025 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)

Howard expressed his excitement to see how Berhalter plays against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami in the MLS Cup Final today. On his podcast, Unfiltered Soccer, Howard pictures how Berjahlter will approach the match against Messi's Inter Miami.

Tim Howard on Sebastian Berhalter

Howard was previewing the MLS Cup Final and sees Berhalter as a key player for the Vancouver Whitecaps against Inter Miami.

The former USMNT goalkeeper thinks that Berhalter will want to complicate things for Messi during the match. Howard said, "I think he’s the type of son of the gun to say, ‘Alright then. I’ll have a bit of you, Leo.’ I know it sounds crazy. And I’m not saying Sebastian Berhalter is a better [player]. But if you know his dad, Gregg is crazy."

Howard continues to speak about Berhalter and predicts the American midfielder will have multiple encounters with Messi during the match.

The USMNT legend said, "By the way, he’s [Berhalter] a very good player and uses the ball well. But like, he’s got some tenacity. If you’ve got a bag of money, put it on the fact that I think he’ll get to grips with Lionel Messi. I don’t know why. He’s a little rat, and he wants to get under people’s skin. Sebastian does that. Shout out to Sebastian. I’m excited for it."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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