14 March 2023 , 13:57
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Claudio Reyna sent foul-mouthed texts to then-USA sporting director, Earnie Stewart, after his son Giovanni was snubbed by manager Gregg Berhalter for the World Cup group stage clash with Wales.
Giovanni, 20, played just two times for his country at last November-December’s World Cup in Qatar, playing seven minutes in the 0-0 draw with England and then 45 minutes in the 3-1 Round of 16 loss to Holland.
The Borussia Dortmund ace was snubbed for the USA’s group stage opener against Wales which ended in a 1-1 draw, and dad Claudio - a former USA player and pal of boss Berhalter - was left far from impressed by his exclusion.
In documents released by US Soccer following an investigation by Alston & Bird into coach Berhalter, Reyna texted sporting director Stewart: “What a complete and utter f***ing joke. Our family is disgusted in case you are wondering. Disgusted at how a coach is allowed to never be challenged and do whatever he wants.”
The investigation comes after the Reynas were left fuming by Berhalter's public comments detailing how an unidentified player was nearly sent home from the US' Qatar World Cup camp for not meeting expectations on and off the pitch, which was later revealed to be son Giovanni.
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Dad Claudio and mum Danielle made strong hints that there was something in Berhalter's past that would prevent him from being retained by US Soccer as the team's head coach following the World Cup KO.
Claudio Reyna (left) sent foul-mouthed texts to US sporting director Earnie Stewart after son Giovanni was left out against Wales at the World Cup (Getty)In a call between Claudio, Danielle and sporting director Stewart - who has left his role with the US federation and is now director of football at Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven - it was alleged that former US boss Berhalter had a past with 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, which US Soccer say in the investigation that they had no knowledge of before hiring the ex-international.
Berhalter admitted in a lengthy statement in January that he "kicked" Rosalind in a heated argument but says he learned his lesson with the married couple of over 25 years still going strong.
Head coach Gregg Berhalter (right) revealed that an unnamed player was nearly sent home from the World Cup - which was later confirmed as Giovanni Reyna (left) (Getty)The Reynas knew of the incident as 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 while growing up in New Jersey. Claudio’s father, Miguel, also coached the pair at 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 US expired on December 31, 2022, but is in the running to stay on as head coach.