The U.S. men’s national team is still without a full-time head coach, but it has taken a step in turning the page on (potentially former) head coach Gregg Berhalter. It’s just not great news for one of the program’s brightest talents either.
Back in January, the U.S. Soccer Federation was sent into disarray by a statement from Berhalter, who claimed he was being blackmailed over an alleged domestic violence incident from 1992 that involved his now-wife Rosalind. Berhalter admitted to kicking Rosalind when the two were 18 years old, but the incident was never reported to authorities. It turned out that the Reyna family — the parents of Borussia Dortmund forward Gio Reyna — brought the accusation to the federation’s attention after they were upset by Berhalter’s comments at a leadership conference.
As a result, the USSF launched an independent investigation into both the Berhalter incident and the Reyna “blackmail.” Those findings were released on Monday, and, well, it was not a good look for the Reyna family.
This is what the report found
The full report, which can be read here, detailed the behind-the-scenes conduct from Claudio and Danielle Reyna.
Claudio, a former USMNT player and now-ex-Austin FC sporting director, was outraged that Gio did not play in the USMNT’s World Cup opener against Wales. He texted then-USSF sporting director Earnie Stewart to voice that displeasure (NSFW language in the text).
Claudio Reyna texted this to Earnie Stewart after the draw vs. Wales, which Gio Reyna didn't play:
“What a complete and utter fucking joke. Our family is disgusted in case you are wondering. Disgusted at how a coach is allowed to never be challenged and do whatever he wants.” https://t.co/PY2rovXbJO
— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) March 13, 2023
And he had a similar message to USMNT GM Brian McBride.
Claudio Reyna texted this to Brian McBride after US draw vs Wales
“Our entire family is disgusted, angry & done with you guys. Don’t expect nice comments from anyone in our family about US Soccer. I’m being transparent to you not like the political clown show of the federation.” https://t.co/PY2rovXbJO
— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) March 13, 2023
Claudio was unwilling to participate in the investigation while Danielle spoke in two brief phone calls.
Berhalter told investigators that this was normal behavior from the Reyna family, particularly when things didn’t go Gio’s way.
From Gregg Berhalter on the Reynas, in regards to the U17 World Cup:
“When things don’t go great for Gio, [the Reynas] pivot and go into attack mode.”
The investigation found: "Mr. Reyna began making complaints to (Stewart) in November 2019 during the FIFA U-17 World Cup."
— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) March 13, 2023
Claudio also made sexist remarks about female referees in 2018.
Claudio Reyna in an email to U.S. Soccer in 2018 about a female referee in a match involving Gio Reyna:
"Can we get real and have male refs for a game like this. Its embarrassing guys. What are we trying to prove? A game like this deserves better attention." pic.twitter.com/MoKENIsgjZ
— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) March 13, 2023
Danielle, who initially claimed that she revealed the Berhalter incident because she was upset over the leadership conference remarks, was already looking to weaponize the alleged incident during the World Cup. She told a U.S. Soccer employee that she could ruin Berhalter with one phone call.
Claudio to USMNT GM Brian McBride: “you
guys don’t even know what we know about Gregg”Danielle to an unnamed U.S. Soccer employee: “Once this tournament is over, I can make one phone call and give one interview, and his cool sneakers and bounce passes will be gone.”
— Kyle Bonagura (@BonaguraESPN) March 13, 2023
As for Berhalter’s conduct in 1992, the investigation couldn’t find evidence to contradict Berhalter’s description of events.
On the 1992 domestic violence incident, the investigation found no evidence to contradict what the Berhalter’s shared in their public statement from January. There is no evidence his now-wife, Rosalind, who was interviewed, suffered injury from the incident.
— Kyle Bonagura (@BonaguraESPN) March 13, 2023
Danielle — who did not witness the incident in 1992 — told Stewart on Dec. 11 that “Gregg beat the living (expletive) out of [Rosalind] in a back alleyway.”
While Berhalter’s contract expired on Jan. 1, he still remains a candidate for the full-time job following this report. USMNT fans, however, had plenty of thoughts on the Reyna family going forward.
The Reyna’s seem like they are a fun bunch to be around. Jeez https://t.co/6swU7L9DLM
— AnDrew Levers (@andrew_levers) March 13, 2023
My only takeaway is #USMNT needs to disassociate from Claudio Reyna for the length of Gio's int'l career. https://t.co/apEp97EAOa
— Russell Smith (@Russell___Smith) March 13, 2023
A lot to unpack here. Pretty awful behavior allegedly from the Reyna’s. Feel bad for Gio tbh. Not excusing his behavior but this thread is pretty telling. The fact that #USSF has to revisit their policies when it comes to parent relations at a NATIONAL TEAM level is mind blowing https://t.co/76H3TEbW47
— Stefano Fusaro (@S_Fusaro) March 13, 2023
Seems like the report found the Reynas are pretty terrible, miserable people! https://t.co/4y7cA1MtO7
— Craig Hoffman (@CraigHoffman) March 13, 2023
We all suspected the Reyna’s behavior was bad, but man this stuff is pretty awful. https://t.co/ev1Y7uLJU7
— Sam Svilar (@sammich923) March 13, 2023
Unbearable soccer mom and dad vibes from the Reynas.
Two things can be true:
His parents were wrong, annoying, and vindictive.
Gio is a very talented young man who made a mistake when it came to his attitude and he doesn’t deserve the backlash because of his parents. https://t.co/0yXITXS78k
— Boscar (@epusmnt1) March 13, 2023
