Gregg Berhalter didn't appreciate some people’s opinion on whether or not Gio Reyna should have been called up for the USMNT’s fixtures in the Concacaf Nations League. By people we mean Jesse Marsch.
The USMNT saw themselves struggle against Jamaica in the Nations League semifinals this Thursday, miraculously pushing the game into extra time with a last-second corner kick Hail Mary to avoid the embarrassing defeat. Seconds away from a disaster.
However, despite the U.S. men’s national team’s showing across the board, one player that managed to show their worth amidst much uncertainty over their call-up this March was none other than Reyna.
The Nottingham Forest player came in as a substitute in the 46th minute and had nothing short of an amazing impact in the USMNT’s turnaround result.
Reyna gave two assists (both to other substitute Haji Wright) and cemented his stature as a national team player regardless of his current club situation — playing a total of 38 minutes since joining the Premier League club at the end of January.
His performance last night definitely proved a point and U.S. head coach Gregg Berhalter did not hold back on calling out whoever had questioned his inclusion in the latest American roster.
Gregg Berhalter's indirect shot at Jesse Marsch following Gio Reyna call-up comments
Following the USMNT’s victory and in the post-game press conference when asked about Reyna’s performance, Berhalter found the perfect opportunity to mention he had heard someone question Reyna’s call-up — a statement made by American coach Marsch that made its way around social media in the days prior to the match.
“I think I heard somewhere that someone asked: ‘why did Gio [Reyna] get called into camp?’ Did you guys hear any of that?” said Berhalter.
Shots taken, ladies and gentlemen.
Marsch questioned Reyna’s call-up following the release of the roster last week and brought up his current background in the USMNT being what it is today as the main reason for his inclusion in the squad.
“Would Gio be called in if the scenario, with everything in the background, if it wasn’t what it is?” said Marsch on Jimmy Conrad’s ‘Call It What You Want’ podcast.
“Even though he hasn’t hardly played [in the 2023/24 club season]? Even if [you put him off the bench], game rhythm, sharpness, fitness, everything plays a factor,” he added.
This is what Jesse Marsch said about Gio Reyna's call-up to the National Team. ⬇️ #USMNT
— USMNT X (@USMNTX) March 14, 2024
Hope he wasn’t watching Reyna’s performance against Jamaica last night…
