‘USMNT is bigger than Gio’ – How do Reyna & Gregg Berhalter fix issues? Alexi Lalas airs ‘guilt’ fear

Borussia Dortmund starlet Reyna has been left out of the latest United States squad – the first selected by Berhalter since his reappointment as head coach. The 20-year-old playmaker has endured his fair share of injury issues in recent times, but would expect to make the cut for his country when fit.

Reyna and his family did, however, butt heads with Berhalter during and after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar – leading to an obvious divide forming in the camp. The man in charge of the U.S. national team admits to having not spoken with Reyna since that unfortunate episode played out.

It remains to be seen what role Reyna will have to play heading forward, with former USMNT star Lalas airing his fears on social media. He has said: “They'll talk it out, but it'll always be there. Berhalter's challenge would be to avoid pulling punches, overcompensating, or using kid gloves with Gio out of some misguided sense of guilt or determination to fix situation. They can help each other, but USMNT is bigger than Gio.”

Reyna has earned 20 senior caps for his country, but now faces a battle to prove his worth with club and country after generating exit talks at Dortmund during the summer transfer window.