Forging his career with local club Port Vale, he earned worldwide recognition by playing at the 2006 FIFA World Cup for Trinidad and Tobago – the country of his mother's birth.

After short loan spells with Scottish side St Mirren and Carlisle United, he moved on to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Whilst with the Galaxy, the club were crowned Major League Soccer Western Conference champions in 2009 and 2011, and also captured a Supporters' Shield and MLS Cup double in 2011.

Birchall attended Alleyne's High School in Stone, Staffordshire,[2] and started his career with Port Vale, having been associated with the Burslem based club since the age of nine.

He made his debut under Brian Horton on 12 September 2001, replacing Neil Brisco 79 minutes into a 2–0 Second round exit of the League Cup at Charlton Athletic's The Valley stadium.

The teenager earned his first start on 18 October 2003; he was taken off at half-time for Ian Armstrong, as he watched his teammates lose 5–1 at home to Plymouth Argyle.

In July 2006, with the World Cup still in progress, Martin Foyle denied reports that his young midfielder would be exiting Vale Park, specifically for Ipswich Town.

[8] The next month Birchall was snapped up by Micky Adams' Coventry City for a fee of £300,000 (rising to £325,000 with bonuses), signing a three-year deal with the "Sky Blues".

Not a part of Chris Coleman's plans for 2008–09, John Ward of Carlisle United expressed an interest in August 2008,[13] and had admitted speaking to the player's agent.

[26] He made his official MLS debut on 16 July 2009, replacing David Beckham as a substitute 70 minutes into a game against the New York Red Bulls.

He played a further eight games for Bruce Arena's side in 2009, as Galaxy topped the Conference, only to lose the MLS Cup final after a penalty shoot-out defeat to Real Salt Lake.

He also played in the CONCACAF Champions League, as Galaxy were knocked out at the preliminary stage after losing to the Puerto Rico Islanders at The Home Depot Center.

Birchall scored his first MLS season goal against Toronto FC on 11 June 2011 in the second minute of the game; he was assisted by Miguel Pedro López.

[27] He did not rule out a return to Port Vale in the future, though admitted that he was enjoying himself in LA, having made friends with Landon Donovan, David Beckham and Robbie Williams.

Birchall came off the bench in the cup final, replacing Adam Cristman on 57 minutes, as Galaxy beat Houston Dynamo 1–0 thanks to a Landon Donovan goal.

[44] Birchall remained an important first-team player during the 2013–14 season and made 17 starts and 15 substitute appearances as the club posted a ninth-place finish in League One.

[49] After some impressive performances for the Reserves he made his first start of the 2015–16 season on 3 October, taking the place of Byron Moore as manager Rob Page felt he needed a more defensive-minded player to combat Southend United's attacking left-back Ben Coker.

After making his debut for the national side, it was widely reported that Birchall was the first white player to represent the country in sixty years.

He's come in and done a fantastic job and has become an influential player.Undoubtedly his most important contribution to the "Soca Warriors" came on 12 November 2005, in their home (first) leg of their 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying play-off against Bahrain.

The "Soca Warriors" went on to win the return leg of the play-off in Bahrain 1–0 (on a goal from Lawrence) and advance to their first-ever World Cup finals.

Playing against the likes of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney was a particularly special moment for the player who had spent his life living in England.

Following their return from the 2006 World Cup, each member of the Trinidad and Tobago national team was awarded the country's second-highest honour, the Chaconia Medal in gold, plus TT$1,000,000 (about £87,500 (one quarter in cash, the rest in unit trusts).

[64] "Never did I think I would be accepted in the manner I was, the support I have received over the years has been phenomenal and I think it was made easier due to my fighting spirit and hard attitude on the pitch.