Veteran Rhett Bernstein Excited To Play Professionally In U.S. For First Time

Photo credit: Tore Sandberg

Rhett Bernstein is embarking on a new journey now that he has signed with Miami FC in the offseason.

Bernstein, who will anchor the club’s back line, was born in San Diego, Calif., but has yet to log a professional minute in the United States. He starred while at Brown University in 2008, where he was a two-time Hermann Trophy nominee (the award for the top collegiate player).

“Miami came with a good opportunity and I thought it was an interesting club,” Bernstein told NASL.com. “Coming back to the States is exciting. I’m looking forward to this new adventure.”

Bernstein, 28, has spent the past five seasons in Norway with Mjøndalen, playing over 70 times for the club Although he was in Scandanavia, Bernstein has noticed the growth of soccer in the NASL and U.S. as a whole.

“I would say over the five years I’ve been gone I think soccer has grown exponentially,” he said. “It’s on the rise. I think it’s interesting to play in that environment and see where it goes.”

Playing for the expansion side Miami FC, Bernstein, while being a veteran, is excited to learn from the club’s coach, Alessandro Nesta. Nesta, of course, has been hailed as one of the best center backs of his generation with AC Milan and the Italian national team.

“It’s a dream opportunity learning from a guy who played at the highest level for so many consistent years, won championships at the best level in soccer,” Bernstein said. “After playing for so many years I still need to learn a 1,000 things. It’s a position where you really need to be experienced to know every situation. Learning from Nesta couldn’t be a better guy to absorb all that information from.”

Bernstein, while playing in the U.S. for the first time, does have an instant connection in Miami. He played with Miami FC’s captain Johnny Borrajo in Norway.

“He's a great guy, a great individual, teammate, and personality off the field,” Borrajo said. “He's a big guy, physical in the back, and what you need in this league. You need a guy who's good on set pieces and winning balls in the air out of the back. He has great ability to play the ball out of the back as well. He's a great addition to this club and will be a big part of it, for sure.”

In addition to solidifying Miami’s back line, Bernstein was Mjøndalen’s leading scorer in 2015 with five goals. It was a recent goalscoring surge for the center back with the goals coming against some of Norway’s top clubs, including Rosenborg.

“I don’t want to give away all my secrets,” he said followed by a laugh about his scoring exploits. “I hope to contribute and score goals for Miami. My priority No. 1 as a defender is to keep shutouts and defend the goal. Scoring goals would be a bonus.”