Berhalter-Reyna scandal: Investigation reveals extent of the Reynas' ire but finds no violations of law
- by Mike Woitalla @MikeWoitalla, Mar 14, 2023
An investigation by the law firm of Alston & Bird LLP has cleared Gregg Berhalter of any violations that would prevent U.S. Soccer from re-hiring him as the U.S. men’s national team coach, the position he held from December 2018 until his contract ran out Dec. 31, 2022.
The findings by Alston & Bird, hired by U.S. Soccer in December of 2022, were released in a report made public on Monday and included details of the behavior of Claudio Reyna and Danielle Egan Reyna. The parents of Gio Reyna prompted the investigation by reporting to U.S. Soccer sporting director Earnie Stewart that Berhalter physically assaulted his then-girlfriend and now wife, Rosalind Santana Berhalter, in 1992, when they were 18-year-olds.
As the investigation proceeded, U.S. Soccer asked Alston & Bird to expand the scope of the investigation to examine whether the interactions between the Reynas and representatives of U.S. Soccer “violated any applicable regulations.”
Claudio Reyna and Gregg Berhalter had been youth club, high school and USA teammates, including at the 2002 and 2006 World Cups. Rosalind Santana and Danielle Egan were teammates at the University of North Carolina, and the Reyna and Berhalter families had a long history of friendship. But Gio Reyna’s lack of playing time during the 2022 World Cup ignited the strife that led to the investigation.
The Alston & Bird Report, under “Impact of Witness Cooperation and Demeanor,” stated, regarding the Berhalters:
“We were impressed with Mr. Berhalter’s candor and demeanor during the Investigation. He cooperated fully and extensively with the Investigation and our requests for interviews. … Similarly, Mrs. Berhalter cooperated fully with the Investigation and gave us no reason to doubt the information she provided.”
Regarding the Reynas:
“We were less impressed with the Reynas’ cooperation during the Investigation. ... After several attempts to schedule an interview, we had two brief phone conversations with Mrs. Reyna on December 29th, and we did not succeed in having a follow-up conversation with her – or any conversation with Mr. Reyna – after that.”
Following his Hall of Fame playing career, Claudio Reyna was U.S. Soccer's Youth Technical Director in 2010-2013. He became NYCFC sporting director in 2016 before taking on a similar role at Austin FC in 2019. In January, amid the Alston & Bird investigation, he resigned as Austin FC sporting director but retains a technical advisor role with the club.
Alston & Bird’s investigation into the “Reynas’ Interactions with U.S. Soccer Officials: Findings of Fact” included exchanges dating back to when Gio Reyna played in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy:
• U.S. Soccer officials described several incidents in which Claudio Reyna contacted U.S. Soccer officials “to make complaints regarding his sons" and described his historical outreach as ‘inappropriate,’ ‘bullying,’ and ‘mean-spirited.’
• In February 2016, Claudio Reyna contacted a U.S. Soccer official in an attempt to overturn a red card that Gio Reyna received in a game: “We understand from the email that Mr. Reyna was told by a U.S. Soccer official at the time that the league had a consistent policy regarding red cards and did not review or overturn subjective referee decisions.”
• In or around July 2018 a U.S. Soccer official received an email from Claudio Reyna in which complained about a female referee in a game involving Gio Reyna: “Field, referee everything!! So embarrassing all the way around” and a follow-up email that stated: “And in all honest [sic] can we get real and have male refs for a game like this. Its embarrassing guys. What are we trying to prove? A game like this deserves bett[e]r attention.”
• Stewart reported that Claudio Reyna began making complaints to him during the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup about Gio Reyna’s lack of playing time, inadequate travel arrangements (specifically, not flying business class), and other instances.
• Gregg Berhalter said Claudio Reyna texted him during the 2019 U-17 World Cup about U.S. coach Raphael Wicky, stating “he’s the worst coach.” The report states that Berhalter said: “when things don’t go great for Gio, [the Reynas] pivot and go into attack mode.” Mr. Berhalter said that is what occurred at the 2022 FIFA World Cup was similar to what occurred at the U-17 World Cup. Mr. Berhalter provided text messages to us that he received from Mr. Reyna in 2019 and 2020 complaining about Gio Reyna’s treatment, travel arrangements, and coaches. "
• During the 2022 World Cup, after Gio Reyna stayed on the bench during the 1-1 opening tie with Wales, Danielle Reyna told a U.S. Soccer employee, "'You’re talking about 40 years of history between us, for something like this to happen’; and then said something along the lines of, “Once this tournament is over, I can make one phone call and give one interview, and his cool sneakers and bounce passes will be gone."' A U.S. Soccer employee told Alston & Bird, “The vibe was like, I can take him down.”
• Brian McBride, who succeeded Stewart as USMNT general manager when Stewart was promoted to Sporting Director and was also on the 2002 World Cup team with Berhalter, Stewart and Reyna, said he began receiving text messages from Claudio Reyna about Gio Reyna’s playing time and role on the team when he assumed the General Manager role in January 2020. McBride shared a text from Claudio Reyna dated Nov. 21, 2022, after the Wales game: “Our entire family is disgusted, angry, and done with you guys. Don’t expect nice comments from anyone in our family about US Soccer. I’m being transparent to you not like the political clown show of the federation.”
• During the 2022 World Cup, a day before the USA’s tie with England, Claudio Reyna told McBride, “you guys don’t even know what we know about Gregg.”
Alston & Bird's legal analysis of the Reynas' interaction with U.S. Soccer is that criminal laws were not violated because they did not rise to the level of extortion (the legal term for blackmail). "We obtained no information that could suggest that the Reynas demanded to receive something of value in exchange for not disclosing information about Mr. Berhalter to others.”
Nor did the investigation conclude that the Reynas violated U.S. Soccer policies:
"We reviewed U.S. Soccer’s Employee Handbook and Code of Conduct and determined that it does not apply to the Reynas because they are not employees of U.S. Soccer."
It concluded Claudio Reyna wasn't guilty of violating SafeSport Rules — even if he could be defined as a "participant" by being employed by Austin FC, which plays in U.S. Soccer-affiliated Major League Soccer — because "Mr. Reyna most likely did not engage in harassment as defined by the Code."
The investigation did not make a determination on whether Claudio Reyna violated FIFA regulations.
The 1992 Incident in North Carolina
On Dec. 6, Berhalter gave a speech at a leadership conference in which he shared an anecdote about how he handled an unnamed 2022 World Cup player whose attitude was such that the staff considered sending him home. Following Dec. 11 media reports on Berhalter's speech, Stewart received text messages from Claudio Reyna before he had an hour-long call with Claudio Reyna and Danielle Reyna.
After the call, Stewart reported to U.S. Soccer’s Senior Counsel what Danielle Reyna said about Berhalter physically assaulting his then-girlfriend and now wife of more than 25 years.
The report reads: “Mrs. Reyna told him on Dec. 11, 2022 that Mr. Berhalter “beat the shit out of” Mrs. Berhalter during their freshman year of college.” Asked for details about the 1992 incident she was referring to during the Alston & Bird investigation, Danielle Reyna said, “There was a physical fight. I wasn’t there. I didn’t observe the fight,” but Rosalind had told her about it.
On Jan. 3, Gregg Berhalter released a detailed statement, also signed by Rosalind, about the 1992 incident and U.S. Soccer revealed that the Alston & Bird investigation was underway. Berhalter admitted to kicking Rosalind in the legs after a heated argument after a night of drinking. He added he voluntarily sought counseling, told his family and friends about the incident, as Rosaland did with her family and friends, and took responsibility for his actions.
The scope of the Alston & Bird investigation regarding Berhalter was to "determine if there is any evidence to demonstrate (i) that Mr. Berhalter engaged in similar conduct at any other time in the last 31 years; or (ii) that Mr. Berhalter improperly withheld any information about the 1992 Incident from U.S. Soccer when he was considered for, and hired as, the USMNT Head Coach."
The investigation, through interviews, reported that the couple argued inside a bar named Players and continued to do so once outside: "Mrs. Berhalter hit Mr. Berhalter in the face; Mr. Berhalter pushed her to the ground and kicked her twice; Mr. Berhalter was tackled by a passerby, not known to either of the Berhalters; and Mrs. Berhalter got up and left. No police report was filed; no complaint or arrest was made; and no medical attention was sought by Mrs. Berhalter. Both during the Berhalters’ interviews in this Investigation, as well as in their joint public statement issued on January 3, 2023, Mr. and Mrs. Berhalter acknowledged the fact of this assault."
Key points in determining Berhalter eligible to be rehired by U.S. Soccer include the investigation's findings that:
• Witnesses confirmed that Mr. Berhalter acknowledged his culpability and his need to be accountable the day after the incident occurred in 1992. Witnesses further confirmed that he immediately self-reported the assault to his head coach at UNC the day after the incident occurred and took steps to prevent it from happening again.
• There is no risk of criminal prosecution for Gregg Berhalter because the conduct would have likely constituted the misdemeanor crime of assault on a female and North Carolina imposes a two-year statute of limitations for misdemeanors.
• Interviews with Rosalind Berhalter and her family members lead to the conclusion that Gregg Berhalter never assaulted her again. And the investigation revealed no evidence to suggest that he has engaged in violence against another person at any time prior to or thereafter.
• The initial source of information about the 1992 incident (Danielle Egan) who by all accounts remained close friends during the 30-year period (1992-2022) also confirmed that she knew of no other fights or acts of alleged abuse by Gregg Berhalter.
• Although the 1992 incident was known to several people at the time, no complaints, reports or any formal actions were filed. There exists no police report nor or interaction with law enforcement, courts, or disciplinary committees at UNC. "In light of the absence of any contrary action or record of the 1992 Incident, none of the questions posed to Mr. Berhalter during the U.S. Soccer hiring process would have required him to disclose information regarding the 1992 Incident, nor would any standard background check run in connection with that process have revealed the incident. There is no basis to conclude that Mr. Berhalter misled U.S. Soccer about the 1992 Incident at any time. ... We have no reason to believe Mr. Berhalter’s answers were inaccurate, incomplete, or untruthful.
Among the reasons the report didn't find the 1992 incident a violation of SafeSport Rules is because the incident doesn't fall under categories that require reporting. It also concluded it does not violate FIFA regulations because of when it took place and because it falls outside the scope of the FIFA Code of Ethics.
Anthony Hudson, who served as assistant coach to Berhalter during the World Cup, is currently the USA’s interim head coach. U.S. Soccer has indicated the hiring of a permanent head coach will come after it appoints a new sporting director to succeed for Stewart, who resigned in February.
The federation released this statement:
"U.S. Soccer’s process for determining who will serve as Sporting Director is ongoing, and interviews are underway. The Sporting Director will lead the process of determining who will serve as head coach of the men’s national team. Given the investigators’ conclusion that there is no legal impediment to employing him, Gregg Berhalter remains a candidate to serve as head coach of the men’s national team."
Great reporting Mike . Time to move on from the Reyna and Berhalter clans. Cant wait for the U17s to develop and shine for the next World Cup !
So, if she Hit Him First, why isn't anyone saying, SHE is Culpable of Domestic Violence.???(I always wondered why she Went Back to Him... She Started It.!!!)
If, "Someone" hadn't Wandered by to TACKLE Ggg off, He'd still be Kicking her, while on the Ground.!!!
RED CARDS FOR BOTH THE 19year old Version of Ggg and Rosalind.
Glad they Grew Up into "Nice" People.
Santi, this is the makings of a great Hallmark movie.....
Love Boat, for Sure...
Throw in the Kinivng Couple trying to Break it up, and we Are Talking EMMYs for everyone.!!!
On the other Hand... It doesn't look like the Reynas EVER GREW UP.!!!
This "report" is just a self-serving PR stunt. It wouldn't even be admissible evidence in a lawsuit. It has no legal status at all. It doesn't "clear" anyone any more than a proclamation by me would.
I agree. This is a CYA investigation loosely tied to the proposition that there might have been some violence against a woman here, when there clearly wasn't. The Federation is still mired in a knee-jerk mentality when it comes to anything associated with women. As a result, this has dragged the Berhalters into a useless controversy about something that happened when they were kids in college, despite the fact that their marriage has stood the test of time. What a shame that this has happened. On the federation side, this whole thing, in my view, wouldn't have lasted more than two hours if there were experienced hands at the helm of the WC squad, which includes the execs back in Chicago. Too many employees who were former teammates and buddies and, apparently, no one really in charge. And one has to ask (but no on has) where is the president of the U.S. Soccer Federation in all this. She appears to be sitting in the background, and the absence of true leadership is telling. Someone needs to take the bull by the horns. Hire a sporting director? That's the least of it.
For me, I do not think it's a PR stunt. The USSF, has a history of operating in the shadows. Being opaque instead of transparent. Seems like leaderhip is trying to shake that. This was how it used to be pick up the phone call your 'friend' - the message is - it is not that way any longer. There have been a series of events - they have used the same tactic. The report on Women's soccer had a lot of similarities. What they've done is put the light on the individuals, instead of on the organziation. Greg will not be back, even though he's not ruled out, he's out. House cleaning is continuing. Broom still in action.
If you read the article or the report you will find that it says misdemeanors occurred many years ago but the statute of limitations has long passed so prosecution is unlikely at this point. Regarding the Reynas, it reports that they did nothing illegal.
Santi pointed out earlier that the report is silent about Gregg's participation in a convention on the return trip from Qatar. So I have a difficult time seeing this as transparency.
Just Started Reading "The Report";
Let's see if they Answer my "Burning" Question from the Beginning;
Related to: IV Executive Summary, Part 3:
"3. The USMNT was eliminated from the 2022 FIFA World Cup on December 3, 2022. Three
days later, on December 6, 2022, Mr. Berhalter spoke at a leadership conference in New York."
THREE DAYS AFTER ELIMINATION.!!!
WHO IN USSF AUTHORIZED THIS APPEARANCE.!!!
WAS HE PAID.???
Ggg was still an MILLION DOLLAR A YEAR Employee of USSF, with the Intention of Continuing On, as Head Coach. It is NOT Plausible that USSF would have OK'd this.???( and if they Did, that Person should be FIRED !!!)
Ggg "Lived" in Chicago, who arranged a "Lay-Over" in NY.???
Did USSF pay for this additional Flight/Hotel.???(There has got to be a Direct Flight from Chicago to Qatar.???)
And the Answer is;............. NO.!!!
Helicopter parents. Parental "involvement" not unlike that of the Reynas was not all that uncommon in youth soccer, but it usually abated by the time the players made it to their late teens and especially as regards to those players who made it to an elite level. The Reynas should be ashamed of themselves.Gio is a great player with a great future. He is also now an adult and not a 13 year old. The Reynas need to let go and to let Gio manage and handle his own future. If they continue their "sour grapes" behavior on his behalf, they will only do him more harm than good.
I wonder, if there was SOOoooo Much Communication going on between Reyna's and Feds... Why did they NOT know that Gio, was being BENCHED for his Poor Attitude...
If everyone is SOOOO Buddy, Buddy,,, Why didn't Ggg just Pick up the Phone in Qatar, and tell Mama and Papa Bear to get their KID under Control...
Fact of the Matter is,,, It should have Never Escalated to this Stage.
If the Gggs and the Reynas where such Good Buddies, Why didn't they Talk about this, Prior to World Cup, Prior to Ggg sitting down with Gio and saying: "Your gonna be a Bit Player"
If Ggg was such a "Good Player" Manager, he would have known how to Handle this, ON THE SIDE, instead of DUMPING it on the Kid IN QATAR.
BOTTOM LINE: Ggg had a System that only allowed for 3 Forwards...(Because we GOT TO PRESS)
NOT 2 FWs and a #10 behind them... (As would have Suited Reyna)
Somebody was always going to SIT... Weah or Reyna... Sargent or Reyna...
Clearly the Reynas come off looking worse here! Laughingstock! Danielle Reyna brings The Psycho Soccer Mom stereotype to the forefront. Nut job! Claudio should lose his MLS job just for being a dick. They both come off petty and spiteful! In the end all this just hurts Gio!
It didn't take long for Alston&Bird to come up with the findings, perhaps USSF should employ them to find a new MNT coach, after all it took over a year the last time.
The only thing I find missing in the report is that Alston & Bird forgot to ask if Berhalter at nights helps out with cleaning the dishes after dinner....And Alston & Bird also forgot to inquire if Roselind was wearing shinguards that night at the bar.....
Couldn't agree more. And that the federation must have paid a ton of money for this "book report" begs the question on legal expenses that continue to mount up. It's inconceivable that some good leadership and planning could have avoided all this.
Time to move on. These organizations need to purge themselves. There needs to be people that can manage the business and people to manage the soccer. Competent people!
Oh... By the way, There was someone at USSF who knew about the "Kicking" Incident, Prior to Ggg Hiring Date;
"We interviewed Jay Berhalter on January 19th. Jay is Mr. Berhalter's older brother and a former U.S. Soccer employee. Jay confirmed that Mr. Berhalter called him the day after the 1992 Incident. Jay remembers that Mr. Berhalter told him the he (Mr. Berhalter) was going to talk to his coach at UNC and his parents about what happened. Mr. Berhalter followed up with Jay shortly thereafter to tell him that he (Mr. Berhalter) did, in fact report the 1992 incident to his coach and parents."
Ggg should have NEVER Been Hired...His Brother should have Told him, NOT to put his Name Forward.
Put both of them in a "Akward" situation... (I imagine that the MLS "DEI" "ESG" HR people are RETRAINING Jay as we Speak.!!!)
Didn't the "Hiring" Person, ask the Obvious "Catch All Question".???
IS THERE ANYTHING THAT WE SHOULD KNOW, BEFORE WE CONCLUDE THE INTERVIEW, THAT MIGHT COME UP, IF YOUR NAME IS ANNOUNCED AS HEAD COACH.???
The Fact Ggg, "Lied by Ommission", would be a Good Reason to NOT RE-HIRE
the 1992 Incident to his coach and parents
That is why nepotism is a bad thing
Good! Can we now get back to determining Berhalter's adequate (but nothing more) performance as coach warrants extending his stay as head coach? Because I don't think it does, regardless of this stuff.
The Report Leaves OUT, which Day, GGG ... "told" Gio, that his Playing Time was going to be "Limited" ... I mean, this is the Crux of the WHOLE MATTER...
Was Gio, 'Dogging It" Prior to the Scrimmage on 19th.???
The Team started assembliing in Qatar on Nov 10.(MLS Contingent AS.com)
Scrimmage with AL-Gharafa was on Thur 19th(Daily Mail)
Wales Game was on the 21st
The way the Report makes it Sound, STEWART Speaking... Not Ggg, was that Gio was Dogging it, from Day 1...
I wanted to hear from GGG,... why did he feel that Gio was "Unfit" to Play the Scrimmage, and the Game versus Wales... NOT ERNIE STEWART.!!! (How many minutes did Gio play in the Scrimmage Game.???)
What were the Discussions that Ggg had with Gio... When, What, Where... What was Said.!!!
Those are the Kinds of Decisions and Player Managment Techniques that would Relate to being REHIRED or Not.!!!
Seeing as "Girl Friend Kicking", isn't a Disqualifiying Reason for Re-Hire, what about his ACTUAL COACHING TECHNIQUES and INTERACTIONS with PLAYERS,,, Especially Tempremantal Prima Donnas.!?!?!?
If the Stated Goal of GGG was:"TO CHANGE THE WAY THE WORLD SEE U.S. SOCCER"
Then Gio, as a #10, IS the only Player that we have that is Capable of doing that.
Did he "Bench" Gio versus Wales, for his Bad Attitude at Practice and Scrimmage.???
And NOT have that Discussion Prior to the Game.???
"Gio, you haven't Responded well to the Needs of the Team, with your attitude, after I told you that I would be Starting Weah... Therefore, You are NOT going to Play versus Wales."
And the Discussion about his "Bad Attitude" didn't Recieve a "Corrective" Talk from Ggg until after the Scrimmage Game and then Again after the Wales Game...
What ever he said to Gio after the Scrimmage, DIDN'T SINK IN... Poor Communication Skills from the Coach.
On the 24th... The day before England Game...Ernie and McBride had a Sit Down with the Reyna's in Qatar... didn't know that.... Why didn't GGG talk with the Reynas from the Start...
This is your God Son, and you don't talk with his Peeps about his Attitude.. 40 year Freindship and then you CUT THEM OFF.!!! Bad Decision on GGGs Part...
If you have been including the Parents ALL ALONG in Travels, ReHabs, Playing Time,,, Why Stop at the World Cup... (Never should have Included them to Start, but, once down the Slope, it's too late to go back Up)
I'm Just "Venting" Now..
Did Ggg LIE, when he said the Reason Gio didn't play versus Wales was because of "Tightness" or did he BENCH Him, in Retaliation for "Poor Performance" in Practice and Scrimmages... Poor Behavior that was Brought on by POOR PLAYER MANAGMENT.
Ggg had already had One Talk with him on the 19th, after the Scrimmage.
That didn't have any Effect, as Bad Attitude Continued, Up to and even after the Wales Game.
So, Did he NOT Play Gio, and Instead Played Morris, to "TEACH Gio and the other Players, Who the Boss Was.!!!" To the Detriment of Winning the game maybe.!?!?!?
Coach, Putting himself before the Needs of the Team.
Where is the Analytical Data to Back up Stewarts Statement that; "Mr. Stewart explained that the Coaches had concerns about Gio Reyna's level of fitness for the First game because he was recovering from an injury."
We Got Beep Bras and MRIs nowadays... What does the DATA say.???
I would have liked to hear from the Doctors and the Physios about that "Caca de Toro"
I think it still goes Back to Ggg trying to "Save Face"...
He was going to have to "Sit" Reyna due to his TACTICAL CHOICES... And he was Looking for an "OUT"
The Ggg System Requires a 3 Man GegenPressing Front... CP-Sarg-Weah... Were probably the Correct Choice, from the GGG Perspective.
Due to Reyna Injuries, there was Never enough time to Build "The US of the Future" around Reyna as a #10... So, back to same Old, US TURBO... at least to Start the Games.
I think that as the Tournament Progressed and Reyna got on the Field, the "Shape" of the Team would have Changed to him Playing as #10... But, Reyna was Told by GGG that his role at the Tournament would be very Limited... Meaning What.???
But, I think Reyna could even see that...
It would be interesting to see how the Initial Practices went...
Usually, after a Couple days, you have an Intersquad Scrimmage... This would be a "Tell" to the Players as to who the Coaches were Looking at for the Starting 11. It had to be Obvious that Gio was NOT Starting... and for Why... I can see the GGG side of it...
But, when you start Subbing or Switching Players around.. who is Next Up.???
Morris.??? Roldan.??? How was it Communicated to Gio, "We gonna sub you in Probably around the 65 or 70th minute... Could be for Weah, CP or even as False9... again, Logical from the GGG Side of it.. but how did it Not get Communicated to Gio...
Then the Scrimmage comes on the 19th... Who Started... Who Subbed IN.???
Why was Gio NOT even Asked to Warm-Up during the Iran Game.???
I meant the Wales Game
I say Greg did well developing the players for the WC. If the team (the players) want him back thet's good by me. A secret ballot. Maybe if we coud bring back Sigi Schmidt .....
Jim
Humm.??? Sigi, that's a little from Left Field,,,, Graveyard Humor....
But, If you took a Vote of the 26 Players, which ones would want him Back.???
I'll bet the only one under 25, would be Jesus... and the MLSers + Maybe Ream and the GKs
The Rest from Europe,(the Future of the Team)
and you would have to include; Tillman, Pepi, McKenZIE, Steffen,,,,
Would Probably Vote NO
Interesting that Claudio Reyna was "Passed" Over for the Technical Director Hire...
Also funny to note... That during Papa Reyna Interview for the Position, He told GGG brother Jay,
Who was on the Director Hiring Committee, that he would HIRE GGG as Coach.
What a Smoozer Reyna was...
GB made a mistake to speak at that conference in a way that people might figure out who the player was (at least that seems to be the case), but I have not seen any evidence to suggest that it was malicious. The Reynas have clearly acted reprehensibly, taking was should have been a great story (a kid with both parents who played on the national team) and turning it into a nightmare about using privilege to pave the way for your kid, particularly sad when the kid probably didn't need any help.
I like GB as a coach, and thought he did enough to deserve to be rehired (assuming everybody on the team doesn't hate him, as many critics seem to suggest). If GB retains the respect of the lockerroom, then I think he deserves consideration as the coach. If the team has lost faith in him (or never had it), then he should not be considered. While it is probably best for USSF to move on without him, you hate to see the Reynas get what they wanted. But denying them that is not enough to damage the program. We need to move on from this as soon as we can.
IMHO. He knew it would come out. It was not accidental. He also knew he was not carrying on in the position. He is, on his way out, paying back the Reyna's. Keeping his hat in the ring, keeps the discussion going, burying the Reyna's further. The horse is dead, but we're still beating it. The word is that Gio is the spitting image of his parents, and so, it's likely that GB has no remorse for the whole things effect on him, either.
Humble you may be right, but I've seen no evidence to that effect and it strikes me as against his coaching style (where he supports his players). An example of this was that during tournament, when asked about Gio's playing time, he said he wasn't quite fit rather than throwing him under the bus and talking about his lack of effort in training. GB's remarks were supposed to be off the record (maybe naive to think that would work) and he didn't mention him by name (and he could have). So I still think it was an honest mistake, not malicious payback by GB.
Kent,,, Brings up another Point for me to "RANT" On.!!!
You say it wasn't Malicous or "Planned", I would have to Disagree....
Ggg states the HE(ggg) had been Contacted by PapaR, before he was USA Coach, about how POOR GIOs u17 USA Coach was.
Ggg had to know that PapaR was "Talking" behind his Back, or WOULD BE in the Near Future.
QUESTION: WHAT DID GGG KNOW, And WHEN DID HE KNOW IT.???
About Reynas having a Meeting with Stewart and McBride during the WC Tournament.???
Did Stewart and McBride let Ggg know, Prior to the Meeting.???
Did GGG "Approve" of the Meeting.???
What was Communicated to GGG from Reyna's "Threat" given to Stewart and McBride, during the meeting... "you guys don't even know what we know about Gregg"
Isn't it INTERESTING that, Gio got to Play HALF a Game at #10 against Holland, when GGG specifically said: NO, we don't Play with a #10 and I am Happy with my Ct.FWs.
I can only Imagine what La Presidenta C-P-C must have Thought, when she heard that Stewart and McBride had held a Meeting with a Parent of a Player.!!! (No Wonder they "Resigned" to other Career Paths.)
Stewart and McBride held a Meeting with Reyna on the 24th IN QATAR, the NIGHT Before the USA-England Game.!!! And Wallla... He got to Play some.
I Still don't Understand WHY, If these 2 Families where so Close, that GGG didn't Reach Out to The Reyna, Prior to WC or even during the initial Days of Camp in Qatar,,, to Say:
"Look, GIOs NOT Fit,,, I Can't Start Him... He's NOT Responding WELL to the Decision.... Can you, MY BEST MAN and FREIND for 40 years.!!! Talk with GIO.???"
I think part of it might get back to another comment PapaR said to Stewart:
"Our family is disgusted in case you are wondering. Disgusted at how a Coach is allowed to never be challenged and do whatever he wants."
I don't know what are the Specific Roles of: Technical Director, General Manager, Presidenta of USSF.
Theoretically... They are GGGs Bosses... They could Tell him: Play the Team THIS WAY or we will have to "Let You Go"
But, I don;t really Like the idea of "Bureaucrats" telling the Coach, What to do and Who to Play...
If you are Better at it, than your Coach, then YOU Coach the Team.!!!
We, USSF, Stewart.... Hired GGG, under GGGs main Auspice....
He was going to "Change the way the World Sees US SOCCER"
His Initial Goal of Developing a Tiki-Taka Team FAILED...
Too Complicated, Too Little Time Together, Too many Injuries, Too many Poor Fields, Too Many BAD Refs, Too Many BAD Opponents, No GK That could "Field" the Position, Too many "Thoroughbreds" that WOULD NOT, COULD NOT and SHOULD NOT be "Bridled"
Ggg then Moved into HI-Line @ the CenterField Line with GegenPress, which better suited this Group, BUT,,,,
He Lost his best 2 CenterBacks for this Style of "Turn and Chase".. Mile Robinson and Chris Richards.... (The Replacements should have been CCV, McKenZIE and Erik Palmer-Brown)
Instead, we ended up at the World Cup with SLOW CBs, Ream and Zimmerman...
The Containment Line had to be moved back to Our Side of the Center Circle or almost Mid-Block.
This increased the Distance between the GegenPress at the Opponents 18yard and our CBs, with the Containment Line, now Moved back to our Center Circle or almost Mid-Block...
Instead of Covering a 40 yard Grid from 18 to Halfway Line, our MMA Midfield was Covering an Additional 20 yards back to our Side of the Field.
They got GASSED and we could Not generate enough Press or Possesion to Finish Off the Likes of Wales and Iran,,, and Van Gaal used this Gap to Wear Down the CMs and Dominate The USA.
Just like competitive players, competitive parents need training. The Positive Coaching Alliance does great work in helping sport-parents to at least get an understanding of how to help their kids to have a healthy and even joyous youth sports experience. With little investment in this comes a big payoff.
Youth soccer really needs a restart, like Youth Hockey did in 2006-2009 and German in 2004. Youth Hockey’s American Development Model, implemented in 2009, gave clear guidance to parents, and coaches on their roles and responsibilities with the kiddos. When I first started following soccer about a decade ago, I looked for the mission statement from USSF, a vision statement, whatever - it did not exist! Even today, what they have is words only. Google 'ADM youth hockey' at the top will be a link to - Youth Hockey's American Development Model. Hockey is like soccer - the USA is not the pre-eminent country developing pro players. In 2009 when AMD was implemented in USA, Canada had 51.5% of NHL players, USA 19.5%. Fourteen years later in 2023 28.5% of NHL players are American, a 50% increase. For MLS, the trend is the other way. The last year MLS had more than 50% American players was 2014, 2017, three years later it was 43.5. Today, you cannot get the number in a search, probably b.c., it is being kept quiet. Part of the AMD model was stated objectives for youth development was to put more Americans in the NHL and they measure what they try to manage. The number is easy to find. Try and find the % of MLS players that are American in 2023 in a google search. Good luck. Just watch the games - look at the rosters – where MLS is - speaks loudly. All this with the highly touted boys DA, then MLS Next and now ECNL for Boys. Americans are literally spending billions to develop their youth boys, but have little to show for it. Youth hockey began AMD design in 2006, implemented it in 2009. They were just behind Germany's Das Boot which began design in 2004, in 2014, German won the world cup. Success. Free play and Futsal will help, but they won't solve the problem. We need USSF to do an AMD for our Youth Soccer boys and girls. Girls need is just as bad as boys, foreign Academy trained girls are starting to take domestic college roster spots. It’s a rising tide that will become a flood, if don’t do our own AMD, and, do it right. Our youth deserve it and it will make it less likely we have something like this ugly Reyna drama happen.
Right-on Humble.
The Reyna parents have disgraced themselves in this episode, while Berhalter made at least two serious mistakes which should prevent his continuation as USMNT head coach. First and foremost was telling ANY player that they didn't have a way to earn PT or starts going into something like the WC. It's a 6-game sprint, and you have to up your performance from one match to the next, and if you can do that, you might be fortunate enough to make the semis or the final.
The mistake of discouraging one of your team members was compounded by the mistake of going and talking about it in public, as though you were justified.
The U.S. pups need 3 years of top-flight European seasoning and then they might be ready to go toe-to-toe with anyone. But they need to take a video of Tyler Adams pathetic half-hearted run back up the field just out of playing distance of the Dutch player who scored the first goal against us, and play that every practice where anyone takes a play off that leads to a scoring attempt. When the U.S. stops giving those opportunities away, then we might be in the running with the top teams.
Spot On Fajkus....
Adams was Mentally and Physically "Fried" by the Holland Game ..
Van Gaal saw this and went Man-To-Man and it was just a matter of time before the US Made "Simple" Individual mistakes that led to Goals Against.
US staff mismanaged players. All the attention Adams got was what did him in. Could have been managed better by him, but, for sure, SHOULD have been managed better by USSF staff. Worse thing can happen is players start to believe what they read, positive or negative. Focus on the game. Game, at this level, gives no breaks. There is a learning process not just for the player, but for the staff and the assocation. For sure, Tyler will have learned, he has already shown his ability to adapt in the Prem, no question there. The organization, which is really, individuals, well they are all gone and/or out of contract at the moment, including several layers up, and we do not know who takes over. Be careful what you ask for, as all these departures, if not properly back fillled, and we will be making the same mistakes again. Remember USA MNT followers, domestic coaches with significant international profession play and coaching experience are a scare resource here, still. We just let some of our best, go, and many are applauding. Be careful what you wish for is all I can say. For sure, Pulisic is aware of what I write. Astute he is. Have a nice day.
Humble... I never understood why, Ggg decided to Pick ONE Captain for the WC.???
While I agree that there should be ONE Captian... Ggg DIDN'T ...until it came to the WC.
It, Just put another "Monkey Wrench" into the Equation... Another "Unforced Error"
Another reason he should NOT be Re-Hired.!!!