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First, the backstory: Reyna is an immensely expert, however oft-injured, participant for Borussia Dortmund. He injured a hamstring within the first of 14 World Cup qualifiers in September 2021, missed months of Bundesliga matches and didn’t return to the U.S. squad till the final three video games.
Setbacks and scares continued to thwart his progress, however because the World Cup neared, Reyna was hitting his stride with Dortmund and seemingly on track for significant playing time in Qatar.
In the opener against Wales, nevertheless, Reyna not solely didn’t begin, he wasn’t among the many 5 second-half substitutes.
Berhalter stated Reyna had skilled muscle tightness in a scrimmage in opposition to a neighborhood membership 4 days earlier, and so he determined to proceed cautiously.
Berhalter later stated he had not dominated out utilizing Reyna, however citing the “nature of the sport” down the stretch, opted for ahead Jordan Morris as an alternative for “velocity and energy.”
Reyna acknowledged the problem but additionally stated he “positively felt 100%.”
Seeking to the following match, Berhalter stated he might “envision [Reyna] enjoying some function in opposition to England.” The function was small: Reyna entered within the 83rd minute of a 0-0 draw in which the U.S. starters held their own — after which some — in opposition to the trophy contenders.
Then Wynalda chimed in. A former teammate of each Berhalter and the elder Reyna, Wynalda claimed throughout a Twitter Areas chat that Berhalter had lied in regards to the harm and requested the participant to associate with the story. He additionally steered Reyna’s lack of enjoying time was inflicting group friction.
Berhalter responded: ‘That’s simply not who I’m. That’s not what I signify. So if it’s important to take my phrase or Eric’s phrase, be happy, however I do know what occurred.”
A day later, Wynalda apologized and stated, “I want I might take it again.”
In opposition to Iran on Tuesday, Berhalter began Christian Pulisic and Tim Weah on the wings — Reyna’s major place — for the third consecutive match. Brenden Aaronson was the pure first sub when Pulisic bought damage whereas scoring a purpose and couldn’t proceed after intermission. Clinging to a 1-0 lead, Berhalter made substitutions prioritizing protection, which isn’t Reyna’s power.
Berhalter has caught with a core group: He launched one new starter after the primary recreation and made two modifications after the second. Solely 4 gamers have made a number of appearances as subs. The Individuals have been strong and constant total, although they’ve scored solely two targets.
Pulisic’s standing Saturday in opposition to the Netherlands within the spherical of 16 is day-to-day. Aaronson is more likely to stay the primary different, which would depart Reyna ready within the wings once more.
Within the knockout spherical, a deficit or a tie recreation would in all probability change Berhalter’s calculus. The U.S. males are not enjoying for group stage factors, and Reyna might change into a weapon. But to path on this competitors, america has not wanted an attacking enhance within the second half. Reyna might very nicely present that carry.
“I feel lots of it comes right down to timing and circumstance,” Berhalter stated Friday in Qatar. “If you happen to have a look at how the video games have unfolded, we’ve had the lead and have needed to maintain onto the lead later in video games. The one recreation that we didn’t have that state of affairs, we truly put him in to assist [try] get the victory.
“So, it’s simply how we are able to use him in the best method. Actually gifted participant. And we’re searching for the correct second, however he can little question assist this group.”
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