sport news Gio Reyna 'guaranteed' Gregg Berhalter fallout would continue with Dortmund ... trends now
Gio Reyna 'guaranteed' the fallout from his mother's blackmail attempt on US World Cup coach Gregg Berhalter would continue by celebrating with his fingers in his ears for Borussia Dortmund, says Alexi Lalas.
Berhalter was forced to publicly admit to kicking his now-wife Rosalind in the legs during a violent row back in 1991, having been threatened by a mystery blackmailer who approached US soccer threatening to 'take him down' with the information. It later emerged that the mother of USA international Reyna had informed the country's governing body about the incident in question.
Reyna, who represents Dortmund at club level, was heavily expected to be a central figure for USA at the recent Qatar World Cup, only to be used sparingly by Berhalter.
Danielle Reyna, fueled by frustration over her son's lack of action, therefore made a move that Berhalter insists was a clear attempt 'to bring about the end of my relationship with US Soccer'. He also admitted the 1991 incident was 'a shameful moment and one I regret to this day'.
Alexi Lalas says Gio Reyna 'guaranteed' the fallout from his mother's blackmail attempt on Gregg Berhalter would continue with his fingers-in-ears celebration for Borussia Dortmund
Berhalter was forced to admit to kicking now-wife Rosalind in the legs during a violent row in 1991 after being threatened by a mystery blackmailer, who turned out to be Reyna's mom
Lalas has not tired of calling for Berhalter to remain in charge of USMNT despite the incident
It is still unclear whether Berhalter, whose contract expired at the end of 2022, will continue in his role as USMNT coach, and amid speculation over the manager's future and criticism aimed at his own family Reyna hit back with a telling celebration on Sunday.
After firing home a sensational winner for Dortmund in their 4-3 victory over Augsburg, the 20-year-old placed both fingers in his ears in what many believe was a response to the controversy surrounding his mother's blackmail plot.
And Lalas, who earned 96 caps for USA during his playing career, has suggested the celebration would have been inspired by certain 'motives'. 'Nobody is debating the talent that Gio Reyna is or what he can hopefully be as he progresses. Not me, not you, not anybody out there, not Gregg Berhalter and certainly not Gio
