The return of Borussia Dortmund attacker Gio Reyna under U.S. men’s national team manager Gregg Berhalter is fueling excitement as a fresh era begins for the team. This notable inclusion highlights the 23-player roster that will be preparing for friendlies against Germany in Hartford, Connecticut, on October 14th and Ghana in Nashville, Tennessee, three days later.
The camp will mark the first time that Reyna and Berhalter have worked together since a feud occurred between the Reyna and Berhalter families in January, which became public knowledge. However, in recent weeks, the two parties have started to rebuild their relationship. In fact, they conversed over a Zoom call to address their previous issues. While Berhalter acknowledges that it will take time for their connection to fully heal, both individuals have positive intentions and a shared goal of working together for the team’s success.
The incident involving Gio Reyna originated from his dissatisfaction with playing time during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and his subsequent poor behavior in response. At a leadership conference, Berhalter disclosed that he had considered sending an unnamed player (later revealed to be Reyna) home due to a poor attitude. In retaliatory fashion, Reyna’s mother, Danielle, informed U.S. Soccer’s then-sporting director Earnie Stewart about a domestic violence incident involving Berhalter and his now-wife, Rosalind, which had occurred many years prior. This disclosure led to an investigation by U.S. Soccer, which concluded that the Berhalters had not attempted to conceal the incident. Consequently, this cleared the path for Berhalter’s rehiring as the team’s manager in June.
As a result of the ongoing investigation, the U.S. Men’s National Team was managed by interim coaches Anthony Hudson and B.J. Callaghan up until the Concacaf Gold Cup in July. Furthermore, a leg injury sustained by Reyna during the Concacaf Nations League final in June prevented him from reuniting with Berhalter. Finally, in the weeks following the World Cup, both Reyna and Berhalter engaged in conversations to address the past and now feel prepared to move forward.
Since his injury, Gio Reyna has not played for club or country, although he has been an unused substitute in recent matches for Borussia Dortmund. Gregg Berhalter expressed his intention to be innovative with Reyna’s playing time during the upcoming friendlies. The focus will be on getting him on the field and experimenting with potential positions. Throughout the camp, both the Germany and Ghana games, Reyna’s versatility will be tested and analyzed.
Apart from Gio Reyna’s return, the roster for the upcoming friendlies also features several other familiar faces. Fifteen players that participated in the Concacaf Nations League final in June have been included. Notably, AC Milan’s Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, and Juventus duo Weston Mckennie and Tim Weah are among the roster’s highlights. The long-term strategic approach towards the 2026 World Cup remains a priority for Berhalter, as he aims to select strong rosters and maintain continuity as much as possible. This selection marks another significant building block for the team’s future development.
Unfortunately, there are some injury concerns affecting the roster. Bournemouth midfielder Tyler Adams will not be able to participate in the upcoming camp due to a recurring hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined since March. This leaves an opportunity for Internacional’s Johnny Cardoso and Celta Vigo’s Luca de la Torre to step in and potentially fill Adams’ spot in midfield. Additionally, Fulham defender Antonee Robinson has not been called in for the upcoming friendlies. To compensate for his absence, the likes of Kristoffer Lund of Palermo and Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Joe Scally are being considered as potential replacements. The absence of Tyler Adams also provides an opportunity for Gregg Berhalter to explore alternative tactical formations and strategies, providing invaluable information against high-level opponents.
One player to keep an eye on during the October friendlies is Yunus Musah. Should he make an appearance in either match, Musah would become only the fourth USMNT player to reach 30 caps before his 21st birthday. This achievement would place him alongside the ranks of Jozy Altidore, Christian Pulisic, and Landon Donovan, who all attained 30 caps before turning 21.
Furthermore, the roster includes first-time call-up Lennard Maloney from Heidenheim. As a dual national with both German and U.S. citizenship, Maloney has shown promise in the Bundesliga, making appearances in all six matches for Heidenheim this season. While he has previously represented Germany at the U18 and U19 levels, this will be his first opportunity to showcase his talents as part of the U.S. Men’s National Team.
The U.S. Men’s National Team has historically had mixed results against their upcoming opponents. Against Germany, the USMNT has a record of 4 wins, 7 losses, and 0 draws. However, they have managed to secure two victories in their last three encounters, including a notable 2-1 win in Cologne in 2015, thanks to a late winner from Bobby Wood.
Regarding Ghana, the Americans have a more balanced record of 2 wins, 2 losses, and 0 draws. The most recent meeting between the two nations took place in 2017, with the U.S. emerging victorious with a 2-1 win, courtesy of goals from Kellyn Acosta and Dom Dwyer.
As Gio Reyna returns to the U.S. Men’s National Team, a fresh era begins under the leadership of Gregg Berhalter. Despite past conflicts, both parties are committed to working together to achieve success for the team. With a strong roster and exciting players to watch, the upcoming friendlies against Germany and Ghana provide an opportunity for the team to progress and set the stage for future growth. The future of U.S. soccer appears promising, and fans can look forward to witnessing the revival of the national team.
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