Gio Reyna’s dad Claudio sent brutal “f****** joke” text to USA chiefs over World Cup snub
US star Giovanni Reyna’s father, Claudio, sent foul-mouthed messages to then-sporting director Earnie Stewart after his son was snubbed in the opener of the 2022 World Cup group stage against Wales
Claudio Reyna sent foul-mouthed messages to then USA sporting director Earnie Stewart after his son Giovanni was snubbed by manager Gregg Berhalter for their World Cup group stage clash with Wales.
20-year-old Giovanni only played twice for his country at the World Cup in Qatar last November/December. He played seven minutes in the 0-0 draw with England and 45 minutes in the 3-1 defeat by Holland in the round of 16.
The Borussia Dortmund ace was snubbed for USA’s group stage opener against Wales, which ended in a 1-1 draw, and dad Claudio – a former USA player and coach Berhalter’s pal – was less than impressed with his Exclusion.
In documents released by US Soccer following an investigation by Alston & Bird into coach Berhalter, Reyna sporting director Stewart wrote: “What a complete and utter joke. Our family is disgusted in case you are wondering. Disgusted at how a coach is allowed to never be challenged and do what they want.”
The investigation comes after the Reynas were enraged by Berhalter’s public statements detailing how an unidentified player was almost sent home from the US World Cup camp in Qatar over expectations on and off the pitch had not fulfilled what was later revealed to be the son Giovanni.
Father Claudio and mother Danielle made strong suggestions that there was something in Berhalter’s past that would prevent him from being retained as the team’s head coach after US Soccer’s World Cup KO.
In a phone call between Claudio, Danielle and sporting director Stewart – who has left his post at the US FA and is now football director at Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven – it was alleged that former US boss Berhalter had a history of domestic violence.
The Reynas confirmed they revealed details of Berhalter’s altercation with then-girlfriend Rosalind – now his wife – outside a local bar as an 18-year-old freshman at the University of North Carolina, who US Soccer in the inquest says they were unaware of had before hiring the ex-national player.
Berhalter admitted in a lengthy statement in January that he “kicked” Rosalind in a heated argument, but says he learned his lesson as the couple is still going strong for over 25 years.
The Reynas knew of the incident because Danielle was a roommate and teammate of Rosalind at UNC, and says she supported her “through the trauma that followed.”
Claudio and Berhalter played together growing up in New Jersey. Claudio’s father, Miguel, also coached the couple from a young age, and the two played high school football together at St. Benedict’s in Newark.
Former Austin FC sporting director Claudio was also Berhalter’s best man at his wedding and played together for the USA. Berhalter’s contract with the United States expired on December 31, 2022, but he is in the race to remain as head coach.