Gio Reyna started his first game for the USA as his parents disparaged then-coach Gregg Berhalter for his lack of playing time at the World Cup in Friday night’s 7-1 CONCACAF Nations League loss to 173rd-ranked host Grenada. San Jorge
Ricardo Pepi and Weston McKennie scored twice and Alejandro Zendejas scored his first international goal. Christian Pulisic and Brenden Aaronson also scored for the 13th-seeded Americans, who were unbeaten 7-1.
Pepi ended a 10-game international goalless streak when he put the USA ahead with a fourth-minute header from Pulisic’s cross. Pulisic and Luca de La Torre had two assists for the Americans, who did not feature at least one MLS player for the first time since Major League Soccer’s launch in 1996.
USA players celebrate after scoring in Friday’s 7-1 CONCACAF Nationals League win over Grenada.
(Haron Forteau/Associated Press)
Reyna was used sparingly by Berhalter at the World Cup and the 20-year-old was almost sent home by Berhalter for a lack of hustle in training. The player’s parents, former U.S. captain Claudio Reyna and former women’s player Danielle Egan Reyna, reported an incident of domestic violence to the U.S. Soccer Federation in 1992 involving Berhalter and the woman he later married—former college roommate Daniel Egan.
USSF commissioned a law firm to investigate and appointed Anthony Hudson as interim head coach after Berhalter’s contract expired on Dec. 31. A new athletic director is hired, probably this summer.
In the USA’s first competitive match since the World Cup, Reyna started in midfield rather than Berhalter’s wing role. He played until the 64th minute.
Auston Trusty made his US debut, paired in central defense with Mark McKenzie, who earned his first start since October 2021. Forward Taylor Booth made his debut in ’64.
Right-back Bryan Reynolds made his first appearance since December 2021. The US lineup included goalkeeper Matt Turner and left back Joe Scally, along with McKennie, Luca de la Torre, Pulisic, Reyna and Aaronson in midfield, with striker Pepi missing. World Cup roster.
The USA improved to 5-0 with a 22-3 goal advantage against Grenada.