ARLINGTON, Texas – United States men's national team midfielder Gio Reyna said the rift that developed with coach Gregg Berhalter after the 2022 World Cup “isn't even an issue anymore.”
Reyna spoke to reporters following the USMNT's 3-1 overtime victory over Jamaica in the Concacaf Nations League semifinal on Thursday night. She assisted on both of Haji Wright's goals in extra time.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, NWSL more (US)
“Obviously what happened, happened, but I think we're both over it now and we're so focused on the group that, yeah, it's not even a problem anymore. We're so far from that,” Reyna. she said in her first appearance in front of the media after a match since the 2022 World Cup.
After that tournament in Qatar, Berhalter revealed during a leadership summit that he almost sent an unnamed player home during the competition for a poor attitude in training. It was soon learned that the player was Reyna, and in response, Reyna's parents revealed to US Soccer a decades-old domestic violence incident involving Berhalter and his wife.
Berhalter's contract was allowed to expire in December 2022, but US Soccer re-signed him six months later and recalled Reyna during an international window in October 2023.
Reyna has found game time difficult to come by so far this season at the club, first with Borussia Dortmund and more recently on loan with Nottingham Forest. In total, he has logged just 399 minutes in 18 appearances.
But on Thursday against Jamaica, Reyna showed little rust. With the United States trailing 1-0 thanks to a first-minute goal by Jamaica's Gregory Leigh, Reyna entered the game at halftime and provided a spark to the American attack.
Reyna said his mentality was “just affecting the game. It was pretty simple. It wasn't our best performance today, and I just tried to breathe some life into the team.”
Reyna did just that. After the United States tied it with an own goal in stoppage time, he set up Wright for two goals in overtime.
“Believe [Jamaica] Scoring in the first minute made it quite difficult,” he said.
“I think their idea as a team became pretty clear after that: sit deep and just close down the middle and make it difficult for us. [with] faults. You know how it goes. Some games are very, very difficult and they have a lot of quality and a lot of athleticism around the field and it was difficult to cross. It was difficult to get past the middle. But yes, we are left with that. Really proud of the team. And moving on to Sunday is the most important thing.”
After playing 75 minutes, plus stoppage time, Reyna was asked if he was ready to start in Sunday's final.
“I'll be ready to do whatever it takes for the team on Sunday,” he said. “I feel good actually… I'm still pretty tired. I think I still played 75, but me and the rest of the team will be recovering in the next few days and ready for Sunday, whatever it takes.” “Hopefully we can win the trophy.”
