The U.S. Soccer Federation took a huge risk when it decided to re-hire Gregg Berhalter as head coach of the U.S. men’s national team six months after letting his contract expire amid a scandal that shook the program.
Berhalter has yet to coach his first USMNT match since the hire, but the he’s already taking a disappointing approach to resolving the conflict with Gio Reyna and his family.
After the 2022 World Cup — which saw the USMNT lose in the round of 16 to the Netherlands — it was revealed by Berhalter that a player (who ended up being Reyna) was nearly sent home due to a poor attitude. Despite being one of the team’s most talented players, Reyna was told that he’d have a limited role in Qatar. That ultimately led to Reyna’s parents informing the USSF about an alleged domestic violence incident between Berhalter and his now-wife Rosalind from 1991.
With all that drama, it would have made sense for the USSF to go in a different direction. After all, the top team (Reyna included) looked excellent in a dominant Nations League title against Mexico and Canada with B.J. Callaghan at the helm. And at the very least, it would have made sense for Berhalter to view reconciling with Reyna as his top priority.
Well, it’s nearly September — almost three months after Berhalter’s hire — and Berhalter still hasn’t met nor spoken with Gio. He admitted as much in an interview with Vanity Fair:
Berhalter said he has consulted experts in mediation work to ensure the dispute with Reyna is handled “in the right way.” It’s all still raw, and Berhalter is proceeding cautiously. “It’s not something where you just pick up the phone and say, ‘Hey bud, here’s how it’s going to be,’” he said. “There is work to be done.”
But what is he waiting for?
Berhalter has taken trips recently to meet with European-based players in the program, and it would have been so easy to meet with Reyna who is still with Borussia Dortmund. Yet, Berhalter keeps pushing the uncomfortable conversation off, and it’s only going to get more difficult as time drags on. He also hasn’t met with Ricardo Pepi — a surprising World Cup snub at striker — who still should have a major role with the team despite Folarin Balogun’s switch from England to the USMNT.
The news gave USMNT fans another reason to crush Berhalter’s re-hire.
This was how Twitter reacted
Gregg overcomplicates everything. Just pick up the phone. Should've happened months ago. https://t.co/Whj82HQ0fY
— Justin Moran (@kickswish) August 29, 2023
What does that say about a coach when they need "outside help" to advise them in how to approach their players? https://t.co/jmxfGySuQ4
— Shawn W (@BiscuitsDad30) August 29, 2023
https://twitter.com/burnerusmnt/status/1696614297638457660
Not speaking to your most talented player for three months should be a fireable offense. https://t.co/T6QrJE9PZW
— Garrett Joseph Franks (@garrett_franks) August 29, 2023
https://twitter.com/Aftermath8/status/1696612876474343537
ALL of this could have been avoided… ALL of it… Except it's US Soccer… #USMNT https://t.co/O0rPgwIFzt
— Kelvin Loyola (@KelvinLoyola) August 29, 2023
https://twitter.com/ar_lenee_09/status/1696608575932571681
Pick up the phone, Gregg.
