Getty Image
The United States Men’s National Soccer Team has never had the amount of talent it current has.
Perhaps the top example of that talent is star midfielder Gio Reyna.
Reyna, 20, is the son of former USMNT standout Claudio Reyna and a rising star for German club Borussia Dortmund.
But it hasn’t all been fun and game. Reyna has struggled with injuries and consistency troubles for much of his young career. Those issues, as well as perceived “attitude” issues, led to US manager Gregg Berhalter severely limiting Reyna minutes at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Ultimately, that situation developed into a wild back and forth where Reyna’s parents attempted to blackmail Berhalter in hopes that he would lose his job.
And, for a time, that plan looked successful. Berhalter’s contract was not renewed at the end of 2022 and the US Soccer Federation launched an investigation into allegations of past domestic violence.
It appeared to many that there was no way Berhalter could possibly return to the team, especially with Reyna being such an integral part of the program’s future.
However, appearances don’t always match reality and the USSF shocked the soccer world when it announced Berhalter would return to lead the US toward and potentially into the 2026 World Cup in North America.
But what does that mean for Reyna?
Apparently not much.
“I spoke with (US Soccer Sporting Director) Matt Crocker in Las Vegas after the Mexico game,” Reyna told ESPN’s Derek Rae. “He said I will have an important role in the program for many years going forward.”
Berhalter also noted at his (re)introductory press conference that Reyna is a big part of his future plans.
“I’d certainly acknowledge that there’s work to do, and Gio is an important player to this team,” he said. “He’s an extremely talented individual, and I have the obligation and the commitment to coach him like I coach every other player, and I want to get the best out of him.”
That’s good news for any fans of the USMNT. Now Berhalter just needs to put actions behind his words.