USMNT Coach Gregg Berhalter Hasn’t Talked to Gio Reyna Since World Cup Rift

Berhalter said he’s consulted “experts in mediation” about how to handle the situation with Reyna.

U.S. men’s national team coach Gregg Berhalter told Vanity Fair that he has not spoken with midfielder Gio Reyna since their dispute that made headlines during and after the 2022 FIFA World Cup. 

The situation involving Reyna’s family and Berhalter was followed by U.S. Soccer opting against immediately renewing the coach’s contract when it expired at the end of December 2022. 

Berhalter said that while he’s had conversations with most players on the USMNT since being reappointed as coach in June, he’s yet to speak with Reyna. 

“It’s not something where you just pick up the phone and say, ‘Hey bud, here’s how it’s going to be,’” said Berhalter of the situation with Reyna. “There is work to be done.”

He told Vanity Fair that he’s consulted “experts in mediation” regarding the best way to approach handling the situation with the 20-year-old correctly. 

After the 2022 World Cup, Berhalter made comments about nearly sending home an unnamed player, who it was later revealed to be Reyna, due to displays of poor behavior. His remarks upset Reyna’s parents, both of whom played for the U.S. national teams during their own soccer careers.

In retaliation, the Reynas informed U.S. Soccer of a violent incident involving Berhalter and his wife from 1991, which led to an investigation. 

With that all behind them, Berhalter will look to focus on the national team and competing at the 2026 World Cup, which will be located in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. 

“We both want the U.S. to win the World Cup and be very successful, and now it’s figuring out a way to cooperate to do that,” said Berhalter of Reyna.