Gregg Berhalter stated on Tuesday that the US Soccer Federation was looking into an altercation between the USMNT manager and his wife in a pub in 1991 during which Berhalter kicked her during a dispute. They have been married for 25 years and have previously spoken publicly about the subject. The truth is that Danielle Reyna, the mother of Gio Reyna, was the one who actually told the federation about that night more than 30 years ago.
The Reyna family regarded the Berhalters to be close friends, and Danielle made the decision to leak information when the US coach made some dubious remarks regarding the youngest Reyna, who only made an appearance as a substitute at the World Cup in Qatar.
To clear the air, Danielle Reyna stated in a statement, as quoted by The Athletic, “I did a phone (U.S. Soccer sporting director) Earnie Stewart on December 11, right after the news broke that Gregg had made disparaging remarks about my son Gio at a leadership conference. Earnie and I have been friends for quite some time now.
I wanted to express to him how horrified and indignant I was that Gio had been placed in such a dreadful situation, and how I felt deeply betrayed by the conduct of someone my family had long regarded as a friend.
I mentioned to Earnie during that conversation that I felt it was particularly unfair that Gio, who had expressed regret for acting immaturely regarding his playing time, was still being tarnished while Gregg Berhalter had asked for and received forgiveness for doing something much worse at the same age. Without going into specifics, the comments from yesterday greatly downplay the abuse on a relevant night.
I helped Rosalind Berhalter through the subsequent trauma because she was my roommate, teammate, and best friend. After that, it took me a while to forgive and accept Gregg, but I worked hard to extend grace to him, and in the end, I made both of them and their children an important part of my family’s life. I would have wanted and anticipated him to treat Gio with the same elegance. This explains why the current situation is so painful and difficult.
In essence, Danielle Reyna was seeking retribution against Gregg Berhalter for treating Gioin Qatar badly and accusing him of having a “poor attitude.” Claudio Reyna, Gio’s father, captained the United States at two World Cups and was a former teammate of Berhalter’s. Interesting, to put it mildly.
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While the investigation into Berhalter is ongoing, USMNT assistant Anthony Hudson will serve as the team’s starting quarterback this month for friendlies against Colombia and Serbia.
Gio Reyna only deserves a few minutes, though. This young kid, who plays frequently for Borussia Dortmund, is really talented. Gio Reyna’s mother Danielle releases a lengthy statement regarding the Gregg Berhalter blackmail affair.
