Former United States men's national team captain Claudio Reyna sent multiple messages to U.S. Soccer executives during the World Cup threatening to reveal sensitive details about USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter's past, multiple sources told ESPN.
The messages began after his son, Gio Reyna, was informed he would have a limited role at the tournament.
U.S. Soccer did not receive any details about the claims until Dec. 11, when an executive was informed in a call with Claudio Reyna and his wife, Danielle, that Berhalter, 49, had a past domestic violence incident, sources told ESPN. That information arrived the same day as comments Berhalter made at the HOW Institute for Society's Summit on Moral Leadership in New York were published by Charterworks, detailing how "a player" was nearly sent home from the World Cup for not meeting expectations on and off the field.
Berhalter did not identify anyone by name, however, it was a clear reference to Reyna and confirmed by the player in an Instagram post the next day.
Claudio Reyna, who is currently sporting director for MLS club Austin FC, did not reply to a text message Tuesday seeking comment or a follow-up call Wednesday morning. A spokesman for Austin FC declined comment.
On Tuesday, Berhalter, whose contract as U.S. coach expired Dec. 31, revealed details of the incident with his wife in a lengthy statement posted to Twitter.
"During the World Cup an individual contacted U.S. Soccer, saying that they had information about me that would 'take me down' - an apparent effort to leverage something very personal from long ago to bring about the end of my relationship with U.S. Soccer," Berhalter said. "In the fall of 1991, I met my soulmate. I had just turned 18 and was a freshman in college when I met Rosalind," Berhalter said. "One night, while out drinking at a local bar, Rosalind and I had a heated argument that continued outside. It became physical and I kicked her in the legs."
Berhalter said the authorities were never involved and that he sought counseling after the incident. The couple reconciled seven months later, subsequently married and have four children.
"The lessons learned from that night over three decades ago became the foundation for a loving, devoted, and supportive relationship, which we honored and celebrated with our 25th wedding anniversary this past weekend," Berhalter added.
After the U.S. Soccer executive was informed of the allegation against Berhalter, the federation immediately hired a law firm, Alston & Bird LLP, to conduct an independent investigation, the federation announced Tuesday.
On Wednesday, U.S. Soccer announced that current USMNT assistant coach Anthony Hudson would lead the team during a January camp in California, "With the ongoing investigation and U.S. Soccer's full review of the USMNT program following the conclusion of the 2022 FIFA World Cup still underway."
Claudio Reyna and Berhalter have a relationship that spans decades. They played youth and high school soccer together, their respective U.S. national team careers both spanned from 1994 to 2006 and their wives -- Danielle Reyna (nee Egan) and Rosalind Berhalter (nee Santana) -- were four-year teammates at the University of North Carolina.
