USA defender Tim Ream brands Gio Reyna’s World Cup fallout with coach Gregg Berhalter ‘a non-story’ and insists there was NOT a vote in camp over sending the player home
Tim Ream has tried to downplay the public fallout between Gio Reyna and USA coach Gregg Berhalter after the USMNT went out of the World Cup.
The 19-year-old Reyna was a surprise omission from every starting line-up at the tournament in Qatar and only came on in two games.
After returning to the US, quotes surfaced from Berhalter that a player in the team – later revealed to be Reyna – was almost sent home due to poor behavior and that a vote was held over sending him home. Reyna responded on Instagram expressing disappointment at the story coming out but admitted his attitude dipped out of frustration at being told he would have a minor role on the team.
But defender Ream, who played every game for the US in Qatar, insisted it was not a distraction in camp.
Tim Ream has said Gio Reyna’s fallout with USA coach Gregg Berhlater is ‘a non-story’
Reyna was a surprise omission in Qatar and didn’t start a single game – he only played twice
‘I mean for us, it’s a non-story. We dealt with it in camp, things moved on, we moved past it and that’s where we are,’ Ream told his podcast, Indirect.
‘The players, there was no vote. So we can put that to bed. And like I said, we addressed it in camp and (Reyna) did what he had to do, and obviously came on against the Netherlands and played a pretty solid 45 minutes for us and helped to kind of drag us back into the game.
‘So yeah for us, that’s it. That’s the end of it.’
Reyna took to Instagram after Berhalter’s quotes emerged and appeared to criticize his international coach for bringing the story to light.
‘I hoped not to comment on matters at the World Cup,’ Reyna said. ‘It is my belief that things that happen in a team setting ought to remain private. That being said, statements have been made that reflect on my professionalism and character, so I feel the need to make a brief statement.
But Ream has insisted the fallout with Reyna was dealt with promptly by Berhalter and staff
Reyna took to Instagram after quotes from Berhalter emerged about a player’s attitude dipping
‘Just before the World Cup, Coach Berhalter told me that my role at the tournament would be very limited. I was devastated. I am someone who plays with pride and passion.
‘Soccer is my life, and I believe in my abilities. I fully expected and desperately wanted to contribute to the play of a talented group as we tried to make a statement at the World Cup.
‘I am also a very emotional person, and I fully acknowledge that I let my emotions get the best of me and affect my training and behavior for a few days after learning about my limited role. I apologized to my teammates and coach for this, and I was told I was forgiven.
‘Thereafter, I shook off my disappointment and gave everything I had on and off the field. I am disappointed that there is continuing coverage of this matter (as well as some highly fictionalized versions of events) and extremely surprised that anyone on the US men’s team staff would contribute to it.
‘Coach Berhalter has always said that issues that arise with the team will stay “in house” so we can focus on team unity and progress. I love my team, I love representing my country, and I am focusing now only on improving and growing as a soccer player and a person.
Reyna admitted wrongdoing but said that he thought the issue was going to stay in-house
‘I hope that going forward each person involved in U.S. Soccer focuses only on what is in the best interest of the men’s national team so we can enjoy great success at the World Cup in 2026.’
Berhalter is currently out of contract with the US – his latest deal expired with the 2022 World Cup.
It has been reported that tentative talks over an extension had taken place, but that was before the Reyna saga leaked.
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