Path clear for Berhalter to be rehired as U.S. soccer coach

Gregg Berhalter remains a candidate to stay on as U.S. men’s national team coach after a report by a law firm determined he did not improperly withhold information about a 1992 domestic violence allegation involving the woman who later became his wife.

The report also concluded that Berhalter’s conduct “likely constituted the misdemeanor crime of assault on a female.”

Berhalter’s contract as coach expired on Dec. 31 and Anthony Hudson, one of his assistants, was appointed interim coach on Jan. 4.

The firm Alston and Bird was retained after former U.S. captain Claudio Reyna and wife Danielle Egan Reyna, the parents of current American midfielder Gio Reyna, went to the USSF with allegations of the 1992 incident domestic incident following the decision by Berhalter to use Gio Reyna sparingly at last year’s World Cup.

The firm concluded the Reynas were not guilty of extortion but said Claudio Reyna’s conduct might have violated provisions of FIFA’s code of ethics for conflicts of interest, protection of physical and mental integrity, and abuse of position.

More soccer

The Riverhounds have advanced to the third round of the U.S. Open after the Rochester Rhinos of MLS, the Riverhounds’ secondround opponent, ceased operations. That match was ruled a forfeit and the Riverhounds’ third-round opponent will be announced when pairings are announced April 6.

Tennis

U.S. Tennis Association announced doubles star Bob Bryan’s appointment as Davis Cup captain, succeeding Mardy Fish.

Baseball

Trevor Bauer, effectively exiled from Major League Baseball after his suspension for violating the league’s sexual assault policy expired, has reportedly agreed to play in Japan.

The Yokohama Bay Stars reached agreement on a oneyear, $3-million contract with Bauer, according to Sanspo Sports.

Pro basketball

Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said member of the organization had spoken to All-Star guard Ja Morant about his off-court behavior before he posted a video in which he appeared to be displaying a gun at a strip club.

College basketball

Chris Beard, fired in early January by Texas, was named the men’s coach at Mississippi. Beard, 50, was fired shortly after being charged with felony domestic violence in a dispute with his fiancee.

The charge was dropped in February, with the district attorney saying it could not be proven.

Beard’s fiancee said she had initiated the confrontation and he had acted in selfdefense.

• Longtime NBA guard Damon Stoudamire was hired as Georgia Tech’s men’s coach, replacing Josh Pastner, who was fired last week. Stoudamire, 49, has been an assistant coach with the Boston Celtics since 2021.

•Alabama ascended to the top spot of The Associated Press’ final weekly men’s rankings, jumping over Houston, which fell to No. 2 after its loss in the American Athletic Conference final. ... On the women’s side, defending champion South Carolina became the third school to top the ranking from wire to wire, joining UConn and Louisiana Tech.