Reyna saga ‘a sad, pathetic day for US football’

London: The “soap opera” dispute between United States head coach Gregg Berhalter and the Reyna family is “a sad and pathetic day for US soccer,” says ex-American international Heather O’Reilly.

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Gio Reyna, 20, did not start a match for Berhalter and the US at the World Cup in Qatar.

Reyna’s mother Danielle has since reported Berhalter for kicking his wife when they were teenagers.

“No one wins in this situation,” O’Reilly told BBC World Service.

“To bring up old dirty laundry 30 years in the making is just something else in my opinion.

“I would never condone violence or domestic violence, but this was 31 years ago, this was an incident that was reconciled - they [Berhalter and wife Rosalind] have a successful marriage of 25 years.”

Berhalter is under investigation by US Soccer after admitting the allegation.

During a speech at a leadership summit in early December, Berhalter, 49, said an unnamed player was nearly sent home from the World Cup for “not meeting expectations on and off the field”.

After those comments leaked out, Reyna - capped 16 times by the US revealed on Instagram he had apologised to his team-mates and Berhalter for his attitude.

Reyna said he had been told by Berhalter that his role at the tournament would be “very limited” and that he let it affect his “training and behaviour”.

“I think they [the Reyna family] are frustrated that Gio’s name did get dragged in mud,” said O’Reilly, speaking to the World Football show.

“But this was just a low, low, low manoeuvre. And one that I just think is nasty.

“This is like youth soccer gossip at the absolute highest level and it’s just really sad and, honestly, a pathetic day for US soccer.”