The U.S. men’s national team is over a month removed from its Round of 16 run at the World Cup, but the drama surrounding the team and program was really just beginning.
By now, you probably heard about the “blackmail” scandal involving (potentially former) USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter and Gio Reyna. The saga stemmed from Berhalter revealing he almost sent an unnamed player home due to attitude issues in Qatar after that player was told of a limited role before the tournament. That player was Reyna, and Reyna’s parents were so upset about it that they went to U.S. Soccer officials to tell them Berhalter kicked a woman — who he would later marry — in an altercation around 30 years ago. The USSF is investigating the accusations and has yet to name a new, full-time head coach even though Berhalter remains a candidate.
Reyna has since returned to Borussia Dortmund and has been forced to deal with the distractions that his parents created. But if Reyna was ever going to reinforce the argument that Berhalter doesn’t deserve to be retained, scoring a pair of game-winning goals in a few days would certainly do the trick.
GIO REYNA SCORES A STOPPAGE TIME WINNER FOR BORUSSIA DORTMUND!!! 😤
WHAT A WEEK FOR THE 20-YEAR-OLD! pic.twitter.com/Mqd2QPnhU5
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) January 25, 2023
After scoring a brilliant game winner against Augsburg on Sunday, Reyna gave Dortmund another win with a late goal in stoppage time on Wednesday.
This is a player who Berhalter decided would have a limited role before the World Cup even started. Not that Reyna’s talent was ever in doubt, but Berhalter’s decision looked even worse Wednesday with this latest goal.
This was how Twitter reacted
Gregg Berhalter after freezing one of his best players out of the team, burning a decades-long friendship, and throwing away his job just so Gio Reyna could become a beast pic.twitter.com/vw39qVdrL3
— Sid ⭐️⭐️ (@ZelarayanEra) January 25, 2023
Edin Terzic has taken a frustrated Gio Reyna, who was publicly humiliated during the World Cup, and is now getting the most out of him. Gregg Berhalter never got the most out of Gio Reyna, in fact, he got the worst possible outcome. Coaches and how they coach matters.
— Toxic yet Reasonable Tom 🇺🇸🇺🇸 – USMNT (@USMNT_2026) January 25, 2023
We played a 5'4 MLS dude at Striker and had this guy playing "limited" minutes in the World Cup.
Gregg Berhalter should be tried for treason imopic.twitter.com/1nZ26vAxXu
— Bryson Stricker (@BryBryStrick) January 25, 2023
Gio Reyna Revenge Tour PART 2 just dropped. Gregg Berhalter and his clown army in shambles.
🔥🔥🥵🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/TiBjU2EkzN
— USMNT 1ˢᵗ 🇺🇸🥇 (@USMNTFirst) January 25, 2023
Checking in on Gregg Berhalter (again): pic.twitter.com/b8CgLSXuPN
— Fear the Wall (@FearTheWall) January 25, 2023
Another match winner for Dortmund from Gio Reyna.
The fact Berhalter thought giving him limited minutes at the World Cup would work out well is beyond idiotic.— Christopher🌻 (@ChrisWrighteous) January 25, 2023
I may not be a USMNT fan but Gregg Berhalter what were you thinking the entire time sitting out a player from the current golden generation https://t.co/pH1iSuFkhj
— VanillaMexican17 (@VanillaMX17) January 25, 2023
Gotta respect the quality of the on field response. https://t.co/5FVL5lRvAs
— Franklin Leonard (@franklinleonard) January 25, 2023
Can’t believe some thought his time should be limited at the World Cup what a shame https://t.co/lecXbkaLKz
— $TUDYBOi (@kevin_chevez) January 25, 2023
The mishandling of Gio Reyna is reason enough by itself for the USMNT to sack Berhalter. https://t.co/4ZdzdYvO2e
— Always Cheating FPL (@hailcheaters) January 25, 2023
Greg Berhalter played MLS players over this man https://t.co/djgP2HtQUN
— Chris 〽️ (@Chris301Tweets) January 25, 2023
Yep Berhalter ain’t comin back 🤣 https://t.co/mLtZOdqvSP
— nik (@carlson2HOF) January 25, 2023
