USMNT benches Gio Reyna for upcoming friendlies due to injury amid Berhalter feud

Borussia Dortmund forward Gio Reyna found himself omitted from the 24-player roster for the upcoming friendlies against Uzbekistan and Oman on Wednesday.

This omission comes as the reconciliation between Reyna and U.S. men’s national team coach Gregg Berhalter remains elusive.

Reyna’s absence from the roster can also be attributed to his ongoing recovery from a leg fracture he sustained during the Concacaf Nations League final against Canada last June.

He has recently resumed training with Borussia Dortmund, marking a significant step in his rehabilitation process.

The Reyna vs. Berhalter feud explained

The absence of Gio Reyna from the USMNT roster has raised eyebrows, given his previous standing as a key player for the national team.

This move follows a public feud between the player, his parents, and manager Gregg Berhalter that started eight months ago. During the feud, Berhalter hinted at sending Reyna home from the World Cup.

In response to Berhalter’s comments, Danielle Reyna revealed a 1992 domestic violence incident involving Berhalter and his wife, Rosalind.

This revelation led to the non-renewal of Berhalter’s contract with U.S. Soccer, followed by his rehiring last June after the federation accepted his explanation of the incident.

Despite this backdrop, Berhalter and Reyna have not engaged in direct communication since the feud became public.

However, team staff have been in contact with Reyna, suggesting a potential reconciliation on the horizon.

USMNT’s roster for September friendlies

The USMNT roster features 12 players who participated in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Additionally, 16 players were part of the squad that clinched the Concacaf Nations League title earlier this summer.

The roster also introduces some fresh faces, including Palermo defender Kristoffer Lund, who has applied for a one-time change of association with FIFA to represent the U.S.

Other uncapped players include Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender, Wolfsburg defender Kevin Paredes, and Inter Miami midfielder Ben Cremaschi.

The USNNT will play against Uzbekistan on September 9 in St. Louis, and against Oman on September 12 in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Full USMNT roster:

GOALKEEPERS (3): Drake Callender (Inter Miami), Ethan Horvath (Nottingham Forest), Matt Turner (Nottingham Forest)

DEFENDERS (9): Sergio Dest (PSV Eindhoven), Kristoffer Lund (Palermo), Mark McKenzie (Genk), Kevin Paredes (Wolfsburg), Tim Ream (Fulham), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Miles Robinson (Atlanta United), Joe Scally (Borussia Mnchengladbach).

MIDFIELDERS (6): Johnny Cardoso (Internacional), Ben Cremaschi (Inter Miami), Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Yunus Musah (AC Milan), Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven).

FORWARDS (6): Brenden Aaronson (Union Berlin), Folarin Balogun (Arsenal), Cade Cowell (San Jose Earthquakes), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Tim Weah (Juventus).