Gio Reyna could resurrect his career with Nottingham Forest after he fell out with USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter at the 2022 World Cup.
On Wednesday, Reyna - who was attracting interest from around Europe - sealed a loan move to the Premier League. He struggled for game time with Borussia Dormund this season, but he still extended his contract with the German giants through June 2026.
Reyna, who joined Dortmund in 2019, has made 24 appearances for the USMNT, registering seven goals and three assists. However, his commitment to the national team was questioned amid a dramatic controversy that emerged during the World Cup in Qatar.
The controversy involving Berhalter and Reyna - and his parents - was a key factor in the coach originally leaving the national team setup after his contract ended. The incident emerged after the World Cup concluded, as Berhalter revealed he nearly sent home an unnamed player for poor behaviour.
The player was later identified as Reyna, and his parents Danielle and Claudio reacted badly. A domestic violence incident involving Berhalter and his now-wife Rosalind from back in college was disclosed to former USSF sporting director Earnie Stewart.
The USSF subsequently launched an investigation into the incident. Berhalter’s explanation and subsequent actions to make amends was accepted, but the incident was ugly and perhaps affected Reyna off the field.
The 21-year-old played a total of 55 minutes across the United States’ four World Cup games, with only 10 of those minutes coming from their three group stage matches before their exit against the Netherlands in the Round of 16. According to The Athletic, Reyna’s lack of time was due to his poor attitude; he reportedly showed an alarming lack of effort in training ahead of their World Cup opener against Wales, and he began to cause frustration within the team.
Reyna addressed the story on social media, insisting he was ‘devastated’ at how his time in Qatar transpired. After waiting to avoid commenting on the alleged disruption immediately after the World Cup, he wrote: “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 behaviour for a few days after learning about my limited role. I apologised 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 fictionalised versions of events) and extremely surprised that anyone on the U.S. 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. 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.”
Reyna will hope to have more success as he hopes to lead 16th-placed Forest to Premier League safety.