USMNT

USMNT: What is the current situation like between Gregg Berhalter and Gio Reyna?

Reyna has returned to the USMNT camp for the first time since picking up an injury in June.

Danielle Parhizkaran

Kieran has been covering soccer for five years, featuring on publications such as The Guardian and The Modern Footballer, having previously worked in the tech industry in Ireland. He joined the AS USA team in 2020, where he covers the Premier League, Champions League, LaLiga, MLS and Liga MX.

Update: Oct 13th, 2023 12:18 EDT

Ahead of the USMNT’s upcoming friendlies against Germany and Ghana, head coach Gregg Berhalter says his relationship with forward Gio Reyna is “moving forward”.

Reyna has returned to the US setup for the first time after suffering a leg fracture in the CONCACAF Nations League final against neighbours Canada in June. The 20-year-old Dortmund player is also working under Berhalter again for the first time since their relationship hit a stumbling block after the 2022 World Cup.

The World Cup issues started when Reyna’s attitude at the tournament in Qatar was questioned. Berhalter mentioned the problems experienced with the player during a leadership conference, albeit without spelling out Reyna’s name.

USMNT: What is the current situation like between Gregg Berhalter and Gio Reyna? — Gregg Berhalter on the touchline during the Qatar 2022 World Cup.GIUSEPPE CACACE

Reyna’s parents react

Reyna’s parents, former player Claudio and Danielle Reyna responded to Berhalter’s claims by providing information to then-US Soccer sporting director Earnie Stewart about an incident that occurred 30 years ago in which Berhalter kicked his then-girlfriend, now-wife when they were students at the University of North Carolina. That led to an investigation into Berhalter that continued for several months. Berhalter left the USMNT in March and was re-hired as head coach in June.

TOMORROW 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸#USMNT x @att pic.twitter.com/uWIcIV5fnV
— U.S. Men's National Soccer Team (@USMNT) October 13, 2023

“Positive conversation”

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Berhalter said earlier this month that he and Reyna had recently had a “positive conversation” over Zoom. And on Friday, Berhalter said that he “really (doesn’t) want to talk too much about the past” but that Reyna has looked “really sharp, really strong” since making his return.

Reyna at Dortmund

Reyna has only played once for Dortmund this season, featuring as a sub for just 26 minutes, and is therefore lacking match fitness. The German club are currently fourth in the Bundesliga.