Reyna resigns as Austin FC sporting director during ongoing Berhalter probe
Reyna resigns as Austin FC sporting director during ongoing Berhalter probe
The former USMNT captain was under fire for his role in a scandal involving his wife and son Gio
Former U.S. captain Claudio Reyna — under fire for his role in a scandal involving his wife, son Gio and USMNT manager Greg Berhalter — resigned on Thursday as sporting director at MLS side Austin FC.
In a statement posted to its website, the team said they were “grateful for Claudio’s contributions to both our club and our community. Claudio has been committed to the cause of building a club that inspires Austin, and he will remain in a position to contribute to our organization.”
Austin FC said Reyna will remain with Austin FC as a technical advisor, while manager Josh Wolff and Sean Rubio, who will serve as interim sporting director, both assume extra day-to-day responsibilities.
The team did not mention the Berhalter probe in its statement, but the resignation comes the same day as U.S. Soccer announced that Earnie Stewart will step down next month from his role as USMNT’s sporting director.
U.S. Soccer officials gave no timeline for when a new sporting director would be hired. Cone said they will evaluate whether the general manager position will be filled.
Cone said a new sporting director will be the one to hire the USMNT coach. She also confirmed that Berhalter “remains a candidate” for the head coaching position.
The federation is currently undergoing a review of Berhalter’s record at the recent World Cup in Qatar, where the Americans were eliminated by the Netherlands in the round of 16.
The process has been further complicated by a controversy involving the parents of Gio Reyna and their assertion that the Borussia Dortmund striker had not received enough playing time at the World Cup.
Claudio and Danielle Reyna — during their griping about their son’s lack of playing time — told Stewart that Berhalter had once kicked his now-wife Rosalind during a fight while the two were college students.
The revelations triggered a probe that is still ongoing. No timeline has been given as to when the investigation will conclude.