Bernier’s international career began at the 1994 CONCACAF U-17 Championship in El Salvador. After an undefeated first round that included a 10-0 against Nicaragua, Canada edged out Mexico in a 1-0 thriller to secure the bronze medal and punch their ticket to the 1995 FIFA U-17 World Championship.
After success at the 1994 CONCACAF U-17 Championship, Bernier returned to the team for the 1995 FIFA U-17 World Championship in Ecuador. Canada drew a tough group, matching up against Germany and Brazil. He scored the team’s lone goal of the tournament in the 70th minute against Oman.
Bernier played two seasons in the major-junior Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) as a defender for the Val-d’Or Foreurs in front of Roberto Luongo. In his first season in 1996-97, the Foreurs took part in the QMJHL playoffs. They made it through to the second round before being eliminated in the division final by the Hull Olympics. He began the following season in Val-d’Or, transferring to the Sherbrooke Castors 40 games later. After the 1997-98 season, Bernier decided to end his hockey career. In 143 games, he amassed 17 goals and 73 points.
Bernier played college soccer for the Syracuse Orange in New York. He played 38 matches and recorded 34 points with 12 goals and 10 assists. He was named to the Big East All-Rookie Team in his freshman year and the All-Big East First Team in his sophomore year. Bernier left Syracuse University after 2 years to pursue his professional career.
Bernier embarked on his professional soccer career in 2000 with the Montreal Impact in the A-League. This marked the beginning of a remarkable journey for him. At the time, the club played their home games at the Claude Robillard Sports Complex, where they garnered the support of a modest yet passionate crowd, laying the foundation for Bernier’s illustrious career. During his three seasons with the club, Bernier proved to be a consistent performer. In 2002, the team secured a commendable second-place finish, with Bernier contributing 4 goals and 6 assists to the collective effort.
Bernier’s European journey kicked off in 2003 with Moss FK, where he played 29 games in Norway’s second division. He then made the move to Tromsø IL in 2004, scoring one goal in 11 games in his debut season. The following year, he was named Tromsø IL’s Player of the Year after impressive performances in 24 games, including a notable UEFA Cup run. In 2006, Bernier continued to shine with one goal and two assists in 24 games. His impact extended into 2007, where he scored two goals and provided one assist in nine games in the Tippeligaen. Throughout his time in Norway, Bernier’s versatility and skill set made him a valuable asset on the field.
Bernier made his senior debut for Canada in a November 2003 friendly match against the Czech Republic. He played in 14 consecutive Canada matches from 2004 to 2006 including in the 2004 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Bernier departed Tromsø to join the German 2. Bundesliga club 1. FC Kaiserslautern. During his time with the club, he scored one goal in 15 games and made appearances in two DFB-Pokal national cup matches.
In Canada’s first game of the tournament against Costa Rica, Bernier’s beautiful pass to Julian De Guzman equalized the match in the 57th minute. Canada would go on to win 2 out of 3 group-stage games and a quarter-final match against Guatemala. The teams Gold Cup hopes would end in the semi-finals, falling to the United States after Atiba Hutchinson’s stoppage-time goal was incorrectly flagged offside.
From 2008 to 2011, Bernier made his mark in Denmark, starting with a contract signing with FC Nordsjælland on June 25, 2008. During his time there, he showcased his skills, tallying assists and crucial goals, including a winning goal in the UEFA Cup second qualifying round against Queen of the South in 2008. He played over 90 games in all competitions for FC Nordsjælland, winning the Danish Cup in 2010 and 2011. Notably, he was voted Player of the Year in 2010 by the club’s supporters. His journey continued with Lyngby Boldklub, where he signed a one-year contract on August 24, 2011. Despite challenges, including a fracture in his fibula, Bernier’s impact persisted, earning him the team’s MVP title for the first half of the 2011/2012 season.
In the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup, Canada started strong with consecutive 1-0 wins against Jamaica and El Salvador. In their third match, Simpson’s precise cross set up Bernier for a stunning volley in the 25th minute against Costa Rica. Canada advanced to the knockout stage, but were eliminated by Honduras after a penalty in the 36th minute.
Bernier’s return to Montreal was a turning point in his career as he joined the Montreal Impact in December, 2011, coinciding with their entry into Major League Soccer in 2012. Despite finishing the season with Lyngby Boldklub, his contract allowed for a seamless transition to the Impact without a transfer fee. His impact was immediate, scoring his first goal in a 2–0 victory against Sporting Kansas City in May, 2012. Bernier’s stellar performances earned him the MLS Player of the Week and MLS Player of the Month awards in 2012, solidifying his role as a key figure in the team’s success.
Bernier’s tenure with the Montreal Impact saw him achieve notable milestones, including securing two Canadian Championship titles (Voyageurs Cup) in 2013 and 2014. His stellar performances also earned him a spot in the MLS All-Star Game vs Roma in 2013, showcasing his talent and contributions to the league. He finished the 2013 season tied for first in MLS with five game-winning assists, third with four goals from penalty kicks and tied for 11th with eight assists
Bernier’s captaincy marked a period of notable achievements for the Impact, reaching the CONCACAF Champions League final in 2015 and the MLS Eastern Conference final in 2016. His leadership was pivotal in these successes, evident from his appointment as the team’s second MLS captain in 2014. On the field, Bernier played a crucial role in the team’s journey to the Champions League final, contributing an assist in four games. Bernier’s milestone of reaching 100 career MLS games underscored his significance to the team. Notably, his contributions were pivotal in key playoff matchups, including a game-winning goal and an assist against Toronto FC.
Bernier concluded his illustrious 18-year professional career with the Impact in a memorable final season. At age 38, he played his last match in October, 2017, scoring a memorable goal against the New England Revolution. Substituted in the 81st minute of the Impact’s season-ending loss, Bernier bid farewell to his playing career, transitioning into a coaching role within the academy. His contributions to Quebec soccer were celebrated in a heartfelt pre-game ceremony, surrounded by family, followed by a lap of honor as fans cheered his legacy.
Following his retirement in 2017, Bernier wasted no time in transitioning to a coaching role with the Montreal Impact Academy. His dedication to nurturing young talent was evident as he took on assistant coaching duties for multiple age groups, from U13 to U19. Bernier’s impact continued to grow as he ascended to the role of assistant coach with the first team in 2019, working alongside renowned player Thierry Henry. This seamless transition from player to coach highlighted Bernier’s commitment to the sport and his desire to continue shaping the future of soccer in Montreal.
Bernier made a significant career move by announcing his departure from his coaching role with CF Montreal to pursue a broadcasting position with TVA Sports as an analyst. Despite this shift, Bernier remained committed to the club’s academy, taking on the role of post-training supervisor, with a particular focus on the Under-23 team. This transition showcased Bernier’s versatility and dedication to both coaching and broadcasting within the soccer community. Furthermore, in the 2023 season, he further expanded his broadcasting career by joining Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass.
In a heartwarming moment, Patrice Bernier received unexpected news during a Zoom call in late January. Anticipating a meeting related to his soccer company, Enov Sport, Bernier was instead greeted by Canada men’s national team player Samuel Piette and Canada assistant coach Mauro Biello. They surprised him with the announcement of his induction into the Canada Soccer Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2022. This recognition celebrates Bernier’s remarkable contributions to both CF Montréal and the Canada men’s national team, solidifying his status as a legend in Canadian soccer history.
Patrice Bernier’s induction into the CF Montreal Wall of Fame marks a significant moment in the club’s history, as he becomes the fifth former player to receive this prestigious honor. The ceremony, held at Saputo Stadium during the game against Orlando City SC, celebrated Bernier’s remarkable contributions to the team. To qualify for this esteemed recognition, players must meet specific criteria, including playing a minimum of 100 games with the club, retiring from professional soccer for at least five years, earning individual or team honors, and having played their first game with the team at least 15 years ago. Bernier’s induction serves as a testament to his enduring impact and lasting legacy within CF Montreal’s storied history.