Danielle Reyna, the mother of USMNT player Gio Reyna and wife of former USMNT captain Claudio Reyna, reportedly informed the soccer organization of coach Gregg Berhalter’s past domestic violence incident because of the coach’s treatment of her son entering and during the World Cup.

The mother brought the incident to U.S. Soccer’s attention in response to a comment Berhalter made at an event in New York on Dec. 11, in which he mentioned a player on the national team who nearly lost his spot due to poor play. The player was later revealed to be Reyna, a promising young forward who had received limited opportunities under Berhalter.

“I thought it was especially unfair that Gio, who had apologized for acting immaturely about his playing time, was still being dragged through the mud when Gregg had asked for and received forgiveness for doing something so much worse at the same age,” Reyna said in a statement Wednesday.

Gio Reyna’s father, Claudio, was also angry over Berhalter’s treatment of his son and complained to multiple U.S. soccer officials during the tournament.

During a call on Dec. 11 with both Claudio and Danielle, Gio’s mother reportedly told a U.S. Soccer executive about the incident, which occurred in 1991 between Berhalter, then 18, and his future wife, Rosalind Berhalter, when they were dating. Danielle and Rosalind were teammates and roommates at the time.

“In the fall of 1991, I met my soulmate,” Berhalter said in a statement Tuesday. “I had just turned 18 and was a freshman in college when I met Rosalind. 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 went on to explain that the two later reconciled and are now married with four children. He said he felt compelled to address the incident after he was informed that someone was making “an apparent effort to leverage something from long ago.”

“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 said.

Danielle Reyna disputed Berhalter’s characterization of the domestic abuse incident, saying that he failed to fully describe the severity of his actions.

“Rosalind Berhalter was my roommate, teammate and best friend, and I supported her through the trauma that followed,” Danielle Reyna responded. “It took a long time for me to forgive and accept Gregg afterward, but I worked hard to give him grace, and ultimately made both of them and their kids a huge part of my family’s life. I would have wanted and expected him to give the same grace to Gio. This is why the current situation is so very hurtful and hard.”

Berhalter’s contract with U.S. Soccer expired on Dec. 31, but the former coach hopes to continue working with the team. After the allegations were brought to his attention, U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Earnie Stewart hired a law firm to launch an internal investigation into the incident. Stewart said Wednesday that he would be open to rehiring Berhalter at the conclusion of the investigation.

An anti-gay chant and objects being thrown onto the field were the cause of a halt in the CONCACAF Nations League final between the United States and Mexico. The match was paused at the end of the second half in a game in which the USMNT went on to win 3-2 in extra time. For three minutes, the referee John Pitti kept the match from being played as players from both teams pleaded with the fans to stop their offensive chant.

The misbehavior continued into extra time. After Christian Pulisic scored the game-winning penalty and celebrations unfolded in the corner of the pitch, Gio Reyna was hit in the face by one of the mass amounts of cups, water bottles, and other projectiles being hurled onto the field. Reyna remained on the ground for several minutes before being escorted off the pitch by trainers. Luckily, he was able to return to the field for celebrations after the win. “Total lack of respect for what’s happening on the field and all effort that both teams are putting into the game. I think he’s going to be OK, but he did take something to the head, and it could have been a lot worse,” said United States head coach Gregg Berhalter regarding Reyna’s injury.

This match was the second occurrence of this misbehavior. In Mexico’s semifinal match versus Costa Rica, also held at Mile High Stadium in Denver, CO, a pause occurred due to the use of anti-gay language in chants. Several fans had been removed from the stadium in the prior incident.

CONCACAF has a protocol in place for such behavior. First, the announcer will make a public announcement calling for the immediate halt of chants. Second, the referee is expected to pause the game. Lastly, the referee holds the authority to send the players to the locker rooms and abandon the match. Mexico has a history of supporters using anti-gay chants as FIFA launched an investigation into chants used by Mexican supporters in an Olympic qualifying match in March 2021.