The United States Soccer Federation (USSF) announced this Friday the return of Gregg Berhalter as the Stars and Stripes team selector for the 2026 World Cup, which the country will host along with Mexico and Canada.
Matt Crocker, USSF Athletic Director, He said in a statement that Berhalter was “the right person for this job.”
“When I started this search, I was focused on finding someone with the right vision to take this program to new heights in 2026. Gregg has that vision as well as experience and attitude to grow on and off the field to move this team forward,” Crocker added.
Berhalter, what? he will return to the bench after a few months of soap opera about the present and future of the United States national team, he thanked the USSF for trusting him again and said his goal is to make the fans and his country feel “proud” of this team.
Berhalter’s imminent return was announced on Thursday by The Athletic portal as the United States defeated Mexico 3-0 in the semifinals of the Concacaf Nations League.
Two temporary technicians
In recent months as the Federation has decided who to choose next, Anthony Hudson took over the US bench on an interim basis until a few weeks ago, when he left for Al-Markhiya SC in Qatar.
so, the US team now has a new interim coach, BJ Callaghan, which will also be the team’s beacon in the Gold Cup to be played this summer.
Two titles and qualification for Qatar 2022
As coach of the United States from 2018 to 2022, Berhalter won the Gold Cup and the first edition of the Concacaf Nations League in 2021. In both finals they defeated Mexico.
Berhalter also qualified a very young US team for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where they fell in the round of 16 against the Netherlands, but the coach also found himself at the center of a strange scandal.
He admitted violence against his wife now
The USSF reported on January 3 that it has had an investigation underway since then in December they learned of an alleged incident of sexist violence committed by Berhalter.
The coach, whose contract expires after Qatar 2022, published a statement that day admitted that in 1991 he had a heated argument with his girlfriend and now wife Rosalindwhich ended up giving a “kick in the legs”.
“There are no excuses for my actions that night. It was a shameful moment that I still regret,” Berhalter said.
Reyna’s mother revealed the case
In that same statement, Berhalter maintained that it was during the Qatar tournament that someone spoke to the USSF saying they “had information” about him that would “end” his career with the national team.
A day later, the person’s identity was revealed: Danielle Reyna, mother of Borussia Dortmund player Gio Reynawife of former player and former national team captain Claudio Reyna and has known the Berhalter couple for decades.
The confrontation with Gio Reyna during the World Cup
Gio Reyna and Berhalter had a highly commented confrontation during the World Cup because, according to the player’s testimony in an Instagram message, the coach assured him before the tournament that he would have a “very limited” role
The young and talented footballer responded with disdain and little effort in training, so after the World Cup he apologized to his teammates and the coaching staff.
Reyna’s father intervened
during the contestClaudio Reyna clarified his frustration with his son’s situation to the national team and he informed the federation’s sporting director, Earnie Stewart, and the general manager of the men’s team, Brian McBride (both no longer on the organizational chart).
But what raised the level of the Queen’s offensive against the coach were the statements she made on December 11 Berhalter, who assured that he will send a player home during the World Cup for his lack of commitment.
Berhalter does not mention Gio Reyna but it is clear that he is referring to him, so Danielle Reyna decided to act on the matter and that day she told Stewart on the phone what had happened in 1991.
From family friends and groomsmen to conflict
“I find it unfair that Gio, who apologized for his inappropriate behavior regarding his minutes on the pitch, is still being dragged through the mud when Gregg asked for and received forgiveness for something more worse than he did at his own age.” Danielle Reyna said in a statement.
To curl the curl, Danielle Reyna is a roommate and very close friend of Rosalind Berhalter in 1991 while Claudio Reyna, Gregg Berhalter’s teammate on the US team in the 2002 World Cup, was the best man at the Berhalters’ wedding.
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
