NEW YORK, United States —
Gio Reyna has hit back at US
coach Gregg Berhalter over comments regarding the Borussia Dortmund forward's
behavior during the World Cup.
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Reyna, widely regarded as one of the most talented young
players in US soccer, was hardly used by
Berhalter in Qatar, where the
Americans reached the last 16.
The 20-year-old's limited involvement was the source of
intense speculation, with Berhalter suggesting Reyna was not fully fit — a
claim contradicted by the player.
Recent US media reports have lifted the lid on tensions
between Reyna and Berhalter, revealing that the player was almost sent home
because of his attitude during training sessions.
Reyna was allowed to stay in the squad after being forced to
apologize in front of his team-mates, the reports said.
Without naming Reyna directly, Berhalter appeared to confirm
the reports at a recent conference on "moral leadership" in New York.
Berhalter told the conference the US team staff had "a
player that was clearly not meeting expectations on and off the field".
He added: "We were ready to book a plane ticket home,
that's how extreme it was."
In a statement posted on Instagram, Reyna acknowledged that
he had reacted badly after being informed by Berhalter shortly before the World
Cup that he would have a "very limited" role at the tournament.
"I fully acknowledge that I let my emotions get the
best of me and affect my training and behavior for a few days," Reyna
said.
"I am disappointed that there is continuing coverage of
this matter ... and extremely surprised that anyone on the US men's team staff
would contribute to it."
Reyna said Berhalter had always stated that issues within
the team would remain "in-house".
"I hoped not to comment on matters at the
World Cup. It
is my belief that things that happen in a team setting ought to remain
private."
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