Claudio Reyna releases statement as USMNT feud over son Gio continues

The ongoing saga first began when Reyna's family took exception to comments made by Berhalter at a leadership conference.

The USMNT boss had revealed he and his coaching staff were close to sending a player home from the tournament after "clearly not meeting expectations on and off the field".

Berhalter did not name the player in his comments, but there was vast speculation that Reyna was the player being discussed by Berhalter at the conference.

“In this last World Cup, we had a player that was clearly not meeting expectations on and off the field," Berhalter said. "One of 26 players, so it stood out. As a staff, we sat together for hours deliberating what we were going to do with this player. We were ready to book a plane ticket home, that’s how extreme it was. And what it came down to was, we’re going to have one more conversation with him, and part of the conversation was how we’re going to behave from here out. There aren’t going to be any more infractions.

“But the other thing we said to him was, you’re going to have to apologize to the group, but it’s going to have to say why you’re apologizing. It’s going to have to go deeper than just, ‘Guys, I’m sorry.’ And I prepped the leadership group with this. I said, ‘OK, this guy is going to apologize to you as a group, to the whole team.’

"And what was fantastic in this whole thing is that after he apologized, they stood up one by one and said, ‘Listen, it hasn’t been good enough. You haven’t been meeting our expectations of a teammate and we want to see change.’ They really took ownership of that process. And from that day on there were no issues with this player.”

Reyna played twice for the United States at the World Cup in Qatar - seven minutes against England and 45 minutes against the Netherlands in the round of 16.

After the tournament - and Berhalter's comments - Reyan released a statement of his own regarding "matters at the World Cup".

The lengthy Instagram post read: "I hoped not to comment on matters at the World Cup.  It is my belief that things that happen in a team setting ought to remain private.  That being said, statements have been made that reflect on my professionalism and character, so I feel the need to make a brief statement.

"Just before the World Cup, Coach Berhalter told me that my role at the tournament would be very limited.  I was devasted.  I am someone who plays with pride and passion.  Soccer is my life, and I believe in my abilities.  I fully expected and desperately wanted to contribute to the play of a talented group as we tried to make a statement at the World Cup. 

"I am also a very emotional person, and I fully acknowledge that I let my emotions get the best of me and affect my training and behavior for a few days after learning about my limited role.  I apologized to my teammates and coach for this, and I was told I was forgiven.  Thereafter, I shook off my disappointment and gave everything I had on and off the field.  

"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."

Now, Claudio (senior) has released a statement on the ongoing feud following his wife, Danielle, stating her "outrage" at comments on Gio and reporting an alleged domestic violence incident to US Soccer.

Danielle Reyna admitted informing Stewart of an incident involving Berhalter and his wife Rosalind in 1991 - which US Soccer had launched an independent investigation into.

Ms Reyna insisted it did not occur to her that her conversation would lead to an investigation but did cite the "trauma" Rosalind allegedly suffered after the alleged incident with US boss Berhalter in 1991.

She said: "Without going into detail, the statements from yesterday significantly minimize the abuse on the night in question. Rosalind Berhalter was my roommate, teammate and best friend, and I supported her through the trauma that followed.

"It took a long time for me to forgive and accept Gregg afterward, but I worked hard to give him grace, and ultimately made both of them and their kids a huge part of my family's life. I would have wanted and expected him to give the same grace to Gio. This is why the current situation is so very hurtful and hard."

She continued: “At the time I called Earnie, many people were trashing Gio on social media due to Gregg’s comments, and I didn’t know when or if this would stop. I just wanted Earnie to help make sure that there would be no further unwarranted attacks on my son. I thought our conversation would remain in confidence, and it didn’t occur to me at the time that anything I said could lead to an investigation. I’m not criticizing Earnie here. I very much commend the recent efforts by U.S. Soccer to address abuse of women players, and I understand now he had an obligation to investigate what I shared. But I want to be very clear that I did not ask for Gregg to be fired, I did not make any threats, and I don’t know anything about any blackmail attempts, nor have I ever had any discussions about anyone else on Gregg’s staff—I don’t know any of the other coaches. I did not communicate with anyone in U.S. Soccer about this matter before December 11, and no one else in my family has made any statements to U.S. Soccer regarding Gregg’s past at all.

“I’m sorry that this information became public, and I regret that I played a role in something that could reopen wounds from the past.”

US boss Berhalter had released a two-page Twitter statement of his own after the allegations which claimed the information was submitted to US Soccer by and individual and it could "take me (Berhalter) down".

A section of his statement read: "During the World Cup an individual contacted U.S. Soccer, saying that they had information about me that would 'take me down' - an apparent effort to leverage something very personal from long ago to bring about the end of my relationship with U.S. Soccer.

"In the fall of 1991, I met my soulmate. I had just turned 18 and was a freshman in college when I met Rosalind," Berhalter said. "One night, while out drinking at a local bar, Rosalind and I had a heated argument that continued outside. It became physical and I kicked her in the legs."

Now, Claudio Reyna has backed his wife's statement as he commented: "I support my wife, Danielle, and her statement. I too was upset by Gregg's comments about Gio after the US was out of the World Cup, and I also appealed to Earnie Stewart on December 11 asking him to prevent any additional comments.

"While in Qatar, I shared my frustrations about my son's World Cup experience with a number of close friends, Earnie and Brian McBride among them.

"However, at no time did I ever threaten anyone, nor would I ever do so."

A US Soccer statement after the allegation read: "Upon learning of the allegation against U.S. Men’s National Team Head Coach Gregg Berhalter on Dec. 11, 2022, U.S. Soccer immediately hired Alston & Bird LLP to conduct an independent investigation into the matter. The investigation is being led by Jenny Kramer, BJay Pak and Chris Marquardt of Alston & Bird LLP and remains ongoing.

"Through this process, U.S. Soccer has learned about potential inappropriate behavior towards multiple members of our staff by individuals outside of our organization. We take such behavior seriously and have expanded our investigation to include those allegations. 

"We appreciate Gregg and Rosalind coming forward to speak openly about this incident. Consistent with our commitment to transparency, we will share the results of the investigation publicly when it is complete. U.S. Soccer condemns violence of any kind and takes such allegations very seriously. 

"Last month, U.S. Soccer launched a full technical review of our Men’s National Team Program. With the review and investigation ongoing, U.S. Soccer will announce who will lead the January Men’s National Team camp in the coming days. We look forward to building off the performance in Qatar and preparing for the journey towards 2026."

It was also confirmed on Wednesday that Anthony Hudson would work as head coach of the US national team for the upcoming January friendlies given the ongoing investigation. 

A statement confirmed: "U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Earnie Stewart today announced that Anthony Hudson will serve as head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team for its upcoming January training camp in Carson, Calif."