By the time the Soviets had reached the outskirts of Berlin, the western front had collapsed. German troops were trying to find Americans in order to surrender.
Agreed. But Berlin was a special case. Hitler was holed up in the city, and was personally directing its defense. I don’t think the German defenders would just surrender to the advancing Americans (as was seen elsewhere).
Side note: Hitler’s Armaments Minister Albert Speer advised Hitler to stay in Berlin, rather than try to flee and then being hunted down like a dog.
After the war Speer regretted giving that advice. He said it was a huge mistake on his part. Had Hitler left Berlin when he could have, the city would have surrendered earlier. And many lives would have been saved.