Following a putrid showing that Jamaica failed to punish, the United States men were moving on to the CONCACAF Nations League final, set to play for their third trophy in three chances in this competition.
Yet after the 3-1 win, the USMNT still had lots of soul-searching to do. The performance was exceedingly poor, requiring a last-gasp own-goal with the final kick of regulation before Haji Wright's extra-time brace saw them through. Staring down a date with Mexico in just three days, and a fully-fit squad having so mightily disappointed, the United States were grasping at positives.
While breaking down a match with admittedly few positives, the biggest bright spot was undoubtedly the substitute performance by Gio Reyna. Entering at halftime hoping to inject life into a completely flat U.S. attack, Reyna's influence was clear from the moment he stepped onto the pitch, as he produced a laughably good flick to unlock the Jamaica defense and create a chance just five minutes in.
While he was unable to lift the U.S. before their fortunate last-gasp equalizer, Reyna took over in extra-time, assisting both of Haji Wright's goals in a starring role.
MORE: A full recap of the USMNT's nervy 3-1 win over Jamaica, with analysis and highlights
Reyna's USMNT time under Gregg Berhalter has been anything but smooth sailing — the post-World Cup drama, which included a family feud, domestic violence allegations, and a very delayed search process, put an awkward damper on the rise of an exceedingly talented young player. Since then, Reyna's lack of playing time at the club level has made the situation even more difficult. That's what made Gregg Berhalter's post-match comments regarding Reyna so eye-opening after the Jamaica win.
GIO REYNA TO HAJI WRIGHT MAKING MAGIC FOR THE #USMNT! 🪄 pic.twitter.com/p5R7PX1unI
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 22, 2024
"I think I heard or read somewhere, 'why did Gio get called into camp? Did you guys hear that? Anyone?" Berhalter asked the press conference room, using a pair of brief but noticeable pauses between questions to great effect.
The call-out appeared to be a thinly veiled reference at comments made by CBS Sports analyst Jesse Marsch in the days before the match, in which the former USMNT coaching candidate questioned Reyna's place in the squad.
"Would Gio be called in if everything in the background wasn't what it is?" Marsch asked former USMNT player Charlie Davies on the CBS podcast Call It What You Want. When Davies answered affirmatively, Marsch continued, "Even though he hasn't hardly played?" That prompted podcast host Jimmy Conrad to ask, "So Jesse, if you were the coach, would you not call him in then?" To which Marsch replied, "this would be a tough one for me, really. It would be a tough discussion."
And so it was Berhalter, who only a year ago had unintentionally put Reyna on blast for doggin' it in World Cup training, that went to bat for his young star.
"I think he showed why he got called into camp," Berhalter said after his rhetorical questioning of the press room. "Amazing quality, amazing talent, and for us it's about supporting him through the difficult times while adapting to the Premier League, but his quality is unquestionable. He deserves to play on this team."
IT'S THAT REYNA-WRIGHT CONNECTION AGAIN! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/BQ082jBHgk
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 22, 2024
It was perfectly fitting then that, just minutes later, Reyna himself told ESPN writer Jeff Carlisle that the post-World Cup mess was behind them both. “Obviously what happened, happened, but I think both of us are so far past it and just so focused on the group that, yeah, it's not even an issue at all anymore. We're just so far past it.”
Those quotes from Reyna were of paramount importance, because it was the very first time he had addressed the situation between himself and Berhalter publicly, nearly 16 months later. Reyna had been protected in ironclad fashion by club and country long after the incident, and yet tonight, he finally opened the door mere minutes after his coach came to his defense.
Gio Reyna has much growth still to go. Still just 21 years old, Reyna is finding it hard to break into the starting lineup at Nottingham Forest, where he had moved on loan hoping to see the field after his minutes at Borussia Dortmund dried up. Questions will be asked why it's not happening at multiple destinations, and if a maturity issue is at hand.
Yet it's also exceedingly clear that the U.S. national team is better with Gio Reyna on the field — that's not an opinion, it's an easily defensible fact.
For Gregg Berhalter, the World Cup and its immediate aftermath was a learning experience — he's already gone on the record to say he regrets speaking publicly about Reyna's poor performance in World Cup training. Don't be fooled by Reyna's appearance coming off the bench either; the youngster's lack of minutes at the club level has likely left him lacking match fitness, and with another more important game to come on Sunday, it's likely that a business decision was made to limit his use in this match.
Like any human being, Berhalter has topics he enjoys talking about in press conferences, ones which get him to open up, and ones which he prefers to play close to the chest. Yet overall, the USMNT coach navigates his media appearances carefully. In his pre-match press conference prior to the Jamaica game, when a journalist suggested the upcoming question might be "hard," Berhalter smiled at Tim Ream next to him and chuckled, saying "we're well trained, don't worry."
That's what made Berhalter's comments about Reyna, and by proxy his seemingly venomous shade at coaching rival Marsch, so poignant. He's quite a disciplined leader, and almost never gets drawn into a war of words.
No, Gregg Berhalter did not tap into Reyna's skills at the World Cup. The USMNT boss has — gasp, I know — learned a number of lessons since then, and is ready to put that newfound wisdom into practice. Most notably, he's ready to let Gio Reyna cook, which, unlike the rest of what the USMNT put forth on Thursday evening against Jamaica, is a very good sign.
