There was a variety of pleasure surrounding the USMNT as they obtained set to play the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with Borussia Dortmund teen Gio Reyna being on the forefront of that feeling. Reyna was thought-about one of many rising stars for the Individuals and had been closely featured in World Cup qualifying play. That didn’t come to fruition on the World Cup, the place the ahead solely performed 53 minutes throughout the three group stage video games and the spherical of 16 contest towards Netherlands.
Many have been shocked supervisor Gregg Berhalter didn’t play Reyna extra, and there are studies this “benching” stems from Reyna’s lack of effort on the coaching floor. There have been even rumors Reyna can be despatched residence, and now the ahead has responded.
Gio Reyna on Instagram in response to Gregg Berhalter’s feedback and studies he was almost despatched residence from Qatar for his habits in-camp. pic.twitter.com/n4UJqN7JMl— Males in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) December 12, 2022
In keeping with Reyna, Berhalter made it identified the ahead would have a restricted function even earlier than the match started. That impacted Reyna’s coaching depth and put him additional within the doghouse with Berhalter. There’s some extra private dynamics at play right here as nicely. Reyna’s father, Claudio, performed with Berhalter as they rose by the soccer ranks.
The timing of those studies is attention-grabbing as Berhalter will get set to barter his future with U.S. soccer. Reyna, a 20-year outdated, holds an excessive amount of promise to play simply 53 minutes in 4 video games no matter his work ethic. Is Berhalter going to maintain him on the bench without end? There probably gained’t be a Berhalter or Reyna mandate however the alternative is apparent if it have been to return right down to that.
We’ll see if Reyna and Berhalter can mend the connection, which has some private ties as talked about above. With the USA set to co-host the 2026 World Cup, it’s necessary to get all these points cleared up now.