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Gio Reyna is perhaps the best young soccer prospect the United States has ever produced. Reyna, a New Jersey native, is the son of former US men’s national team midfielder Claudio Reyna.
While he’s dealt with injuries, the 20-year-old has starred in limited minutes for German club Borrusia Dortmund and was expected to be a big part of the USMNT’s plans at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Instead, Reyna was shockingly limited to just 52 minutes across four matches. Many fans assumed that it must have been due to injury issues. Though now we know that wasn’t the case.
USMNT Gregg Berhalter recently revealed in an interview that he almost sent a player home from Qatar due their poor work ethic. Of course, everyone immediately knew it was Reyna. Further reports indicated that the players voted to keep Reyna around, but ESPN’s Taylor Twellman has since reported no such vote took place.
While fans criticized Reyna for the reported attitude issues, more took issue with Berhalter leaking the incident. Now Reyna has offered his response.
USMNT Gio Reyna Takes Shot At Gregg Berhalter Over Leaking Team’s Dirty Laundry
Reyna took to Instagram on Monday afternoon to both apologize for his behavior and clear the air. Along the way, he took aim at the USMNT manager over his handling of the situation.
“I am disappointed that there is continuing coverage of this matter (as well as some highly fictionalized versions of events) and extremely surprised that anyone on the U.S. men’s team staff would contribute to it. Coach Berhalter has always said that issues that arise with the team will stay “in house” so we can focus on team unity and progress. I love my team, I love representing my country, and I am focusing now only on improving and growing as a soccer player and a person. I hope that going forward each person involved in U.S. Soccer focuses only on what is in the best interest of the men’s national team so we can enjoy great success at the World Cup in 2026″ – Gio Reyna via Instagram
Berhalter’s contract with the USSF is up for renewal at the end of the year. It’s hard to imagine that starting a feud with the team’s best prospect will help his odds of coming back.
But the USSF has certainly done crazier things before.