'He needs to go': USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter slammed for disclosing World Cup fallout with Gio Reyna
WESTERVILLE, OHIO: USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter has come under fire after he disclosed the behind-the-scenes rift in the World Cup squad regarding Gio Reyna's alleged behavior. Reyna, who was on Berhalter's team that entered the last 16 before losing to Holland, was almost fired due to their falling out, the coach said on Sunday, December 11 during a gathering in New York City last week.
In a message posted to Instagram on Monday, the winger responded to the coach's remarks, accepting responsibility for his actions but claimed he had thought the players and staff were meant to keep the details confidential. Since Reyna's remarks, US soccer supporters have criticized Berhalter for disclosing personal information from the team's training camp and asserted that no player will ever trust him again.
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Reyna wrote in his Instagram post, "Just before the World Cup, Coach Berhalter told me that my role at the tournament would be very limited. I was devasted [sic]. I am someone who plays with pride and passion. Soccer is my life, and I believe in my abilities." He added, "I apologized to my teammates and coach for this, and I was told I was forgiven. Thereafter, I shook off my disappointment and gave everything I had on and off the field." He also mentioned, "Coach Berhalter has always said that issues that arise with the team will stay "in house" so we can focus on team unity and progress."
Some argued that the coach, whose deal with US Soccer expires at the end of the year, couldn't possibly be trusted to guide the team moving ahead. One fan took to social media and wrote, "Gregg tried to control the narrative, and failed. There’s no way back from this. He needs to go." Another added, "Gregg violated his own rules. Can't be trusted with the program anymore, out of his element." One user wrote, "Any team. No player will ever trust him again." Another fan wrote, "I like Greg but he needs to go. All this drama cannot be good for the future of USMNT."
"Berhalter trying to make Gio look bad so he can save face," someone alleged. An unhappy fan tweeted, "Absolutely ridiculous that a 20 year old’s character will forever be questioned in the media because of this small blip. He’s a young, passionate, and emotional player like he said. Sad we have adults that don’t seem to understand the importance of keeping things in house." Another wrote, "As a continuous Gregg Berhalter hater I really don’t see a path forward with him leading this team."
I don’t get what Gregg Berhalter tried to do. He throws Gio under the bus, in an attempt to control the narrative, then Gio responds, putting holes in Gregg’s story. Quite the miscalculation Gregg.
— Chris Garry #BERHALTEROUT believe29 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@Cgarry1022) December 12, 2022
Gregg violated his own rules. Can't be trusted with the program anymore, out of his element.
— 𝕁𝕠𝕚𝕖 𝔾𝕒𝕝𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕚𝕢𝕦𝕖 (@JoieGalactique) December 12, 2022
Any team. No player will ever trust him again.
— Frankly Brutal Randy (@RandyEshelman) December 12, 2022
I like Greg but he needs to go. All this drama cannot be good for the future of USMNT.
— Mike Bruckner (@WestHillsMike) December 12, 2022
Berhalter trying to make Gio look bad so he can save face
— Alex 🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@gooodtimealex) December 12, 2022
Absolutely ridiculous that a 20 year old’s character will forever be questioned in the media because of this small blip. He’s a young, passionate, and emotional player like he said. Sad we have adults that don’t seem to understand the importance of keeping things in house
— The Arlington Heights Bears (@wrey_tingo) December 12, 2022
As a continuous Gregg Berhalter hater I really don’t see a path forward with him leading this team.
— Andrew Danculovich (@DanculovichAT) December 12, 2022
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