Topline
The parents of US Men’s National Team soccer player Gio Reyna reportedly threatened to release damaging information about coach Gregg Berhalter — possibly in retaliation for coaching decisions — according to multiple new media reports today, as the drama surrounding the former head coach continues to unfold.
Gio Reyna’s parents reportedly threatened to release damaging information about the US Men’s National … [+]
Key Facts
Claudio and Danielle Reyna reportedly told executives with the US Soccer Federation about a 1991 domestic violence incident between Berhalter and his wife, Rosalind, because they were unhappy with how their son was being treated on the team, according to two new media reports Wednesday.
Claudio Reyna sent messages to executives in November claiming he would reveal details about the alleged domestic violence after Berhalter announced Gio—who played just eight minutes during the team’s group stage matches—would have a limited role with the team prior to the World Cup, sources told ESPN.
Danielle Reyna told FOX Sports Wednesday that she and Claudio reported details about the domestic violence incident to US Soccer Federation director Earnie Stewart on December 11, citing their displeasure with comments made by Berhalter after the tournament ended that Gio “was clearly not making expectations on and off the field ” and was almost sent home.
An investigation of the domestic violence incident was made public announced Tuesday, three days after Berhalter’s contract with the team expired.
Berhalter tweeted a lengthy explanation about the incident Tuesday indicating “an individual” had contacted US Soccer with “information about me that would ‘take me down.'”
Surprising Fact
The Reyna family had prior knowledge of the domestic violence incident between Berhalter and his wife, Rosalind, because Danielle was Rosalind’s roommate at the University of North Carolina at the time, according to The Athletic. Both Claudio Reyna and Berhalter also played soccer together as children and while in high school before playing together on the US national team, ESPN reported.
Crucial Quote
“To set the record straight, I did call [Stewart] on December 11, just after the news broke that Gregg had made negative statements about my son Gio,” Danielle said in a statement to The Athleticadding she wanted to let him know, “I was absolutely outraged and devastated that Gio had been put in such a terrible position.”
Key Background
Controversy arose when Berhalter, whose contract with the men’s national team expired on December 31, decided to have a limited role for Gio Reyna, who played just eight minutes during the team’s World Cup run. Berhalter later explained at the HOW Institute for Society’s Summit on Moral Leadership that an unnamed player later revealed to be Reyna had a poor relationship with the team because of his behavior. The former coach said “we were ready to book a plane ticket home [for Reyna], that’s how extreme it was,” though after Reyna apologized to the team, “there were no issues with this player.” Following the announcement of Berhalter’s investigation, Anthony Hudson was named the team’s head coach for its upcoming January training camp.
Further Reading
Danielle Reyna Told US Soccer About Gregg Berhalter Domestic Violence Incident (ESPN)
.