In 2011, Bernal began attending the
University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he played for the
men's soccer team. He scored his first collegiate goal on September 3, 2011 against the
Cal State Fullerton Titans. On October 16, 2011, he scored a brace against the
Denver Pioneers. In his freshman season, he led the team in scoring with 14 points and was named the MPSF Newcomer of the Year, was named an All-MPSF First Team All-Star and College Soccer News All-Freshman Third Team honors. In his junior season, he once again was named to the NSCAA All-Far West Region Third Team, as well as being named to the All-WAC First Team. On August 31, 2014, scored a hat trick against in a 4-3 victory over the
Bradley Braves, a performance which earned him national Team of the Week honors. In his senior season, he helped UNLV win the WAC title and was named a College Soccer News 2014 Men's Second Team All-American and a NSCAA Third Team All-American. He was also named to the NSCAA All-Far West Region First Team, the WAC Offensive Player of the Year, and a All-WAC First Team, becoming the first player in team history to be named first-team all-conference all four years. He was also named the UNLV Sportsman of the Year for the 2014-15 season. After the season, he was invited to the
MLS Combine, ahead of the
MLS SuperDraft. Over his four years, he made a total of 72 appearances for the Rebels, scoring 26 goals and adding 16 assists. ==Club career==