Full Breakdown
Berhalter and Reyna Set to Share the Field at 2026 World Cup Amid Family Feud
5/25/2026, 12:07:53 PM
Squad Announcement and Player Selections
On Tuesday, U.S. Soccer manager Mauricio Pochettino will officially unveil a 26-player roster for the 2026 World Cup. A leak on Friday confirmed that midfielder Sebastian Berhalter (25) and midfielder Gio Reyna (23) have secured spots. Both players are expected to travel to the tournament’s opening match against Paraguay on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Historical Ties and the Fallout
The Berhalter-Reyna connection dates to the 1980s, when Gregg Berhalter and Claudio Reyna were teammates at Saint Benedict’s Prep and later on the 2002 U.S. World Cup squad. Their families remained close: the Berhalter and Reyna wives were college roommates at UNC, and Claudio Reyna served as best man at Gregg Berhalter’s wedding. The relationship unraveled after a 1991 incident in which Gregg Berhalter admitted kicking his future wife Rosalind during a heated argument. He publicly labeled the act “shameful,” sought counseling, and the couple later affirmed a 25-year marriage. The episode resurfaced during the 2022 World Cup when Reyna received limited minutes, prompting public criticism of Gregg Berhalter’s coaching decisions and a strained family dynamic.
Key Figures
- Sebastian Berhalter – Son of former U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter; a “glue-type” midfielder for the Vancouver Whitecaps with one senior cap and one goal.
- Gio Reyna – Son of former U.S. captain Claudio Reyna; a play-making midfielder for Borussia Mönchengladbach (formerly Dortmund) with 36 caps and nine goals.
- Gregg Berhalter – Former U.S. men’s national team head coach (fired 2024); currently head coach of Chicago Fire FC.
- Claudio Reyna – Former U.S. captain and 2002 World Cup participant; now a senior soccer executive.
- Danielle Reyna – Mother of Gio, former UNC teammate of Rosalind Berhalter; vocal critic of the 1991 incident’s handling.
- Mauricio Pochettino – Newly appointed U.S. men’s national team manager, responsible for the 2026 roster.
Roster Data and Player Profiles
- 26-man squad includes Brenden Aaronson, Mark McKenzie, and Turner alongside the two sons.
- Sebastian Berhalter: 1 senior appearance, 1 goal; primary club Vancouver Whitecaps; noted for free-kick skill and durability.
- Gio Reyna: 36 senior appearances, 9 goals; 509 minutes logged for Borussia Mönchengladbach in the 2025-26 season; recent injuries have limited consistency.
- Other notable selections: Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake) and Zavier Gozo (Real Salt Lake) were omitted.
Official Statements & Responses
- Gregg Berhalter’s January 3 2023 Twitter post admitted the 1991 kicking incident, called it “shameful,” and confirmed he pursued counseling.
- Danielle Reyna issued a statement describing herself as “outraged and devastated,” asserting that the incident was minimized and that she felt personally betrayed.
- U.S. Soccer’s internal investigation cleared Gregg Berhalter of wrongdoing related to the 1991 episode and found no evidence of blackmail.
- Reyna’s Instagram post acknowledged “letting emotions get the best of me” after his limited role in 2022 and reiterated the team’s policy of keeping internal issues “in house.”
- Pochettino has not issued a public comment on the family history but confirmed the roster will be announced after Memorial Day.
Criticism & Opposition
Insiders described Reyna’s 2022 limited minutes as a “justified” coaching decision, noting his fitness concerns and the emergence of Tim Weah as a consistent performer. Some fans argue that Reyna’s behavior—characterized by an “emotional outburst”—warranted the earlier disciplinary action, while others view the Berhalter family’s past as a distraction from on-field performance.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Sources differ on whether the 1991 incident involved a single kick or a broader altercation; the exact details remain contested.
- Gregg Berhalter hinted at possible blackmail during the 2022 World Cup, but the investigation found no actionable evidence.
- The precise reasons for Reyna’s reduced playing time in Qatar are described variably as “performance-related” and “fitness-related,” with no definitive public explanation.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It’s a story that’s so confusing and humanly heartbreaking it’s hard to decipher,” — Roger Bennett, host, *Men in Blazers*
- “like you’re putting a family member in the game.” — Gregg Berhalter, on selecting his son
- “We were ready to book a plane ticket home, that’s how extreme it was.” — Gregg Berhalter, HOW Institute summit
- “I fully acknowledge that I let my emotions get the best of me and affect my training and behavior for a few days after learning about my limited role,” — Gio Reyna, Instagram
- “The national team means a lot to me. … I’d love to be there, have an impact on the team. It would be a dream to represent my country at the World Cup.” — Gio Reyna, Fox News interview
What’s Next
The United States opens the tournament on June 12 against Paraguay. If Berhalter and Reyna feature together, their performance could influence public perception of the long-standing family saga and shape the narrative of redemption that surrounds the 2026 host nation. Subsequent group-stage matches will determine whether the “second act” resonates on the pitch.
