Reyna Starts As USMNT Cruises Past Grenada

Gio Reyna began in his first match with the U.S. after his mother and father disparaged then-coach Gregg Berhalter for his lack of taking part in time on the World Cup, a 7-1 rout of 173rd-ranked Grenada within the CONCACAF Nationals League on Friday evening at St. George’s.

Ricardo Pepi and Weston McKennie had two objectives every and Alejandro Zendejas scored his first worldwide aim. Christian Pulisic and Brenden Aaronson additionally scored for the No. 13 People, who had by no means received by a 7–1 rating.

Pepi ended a 10-match worldwide scoreless streak when he put the U.S. forward with a fourth-minute header off Pulisic’s cross. Pulisic and Luca de La Torre had two assists every for the People, who for the primary time since Main League Soccer launched in 1996 did not subject not less than one MLS participant.

Berhalter used Reyna sparingly on the World Cup and the 20-year-old practically was despatched residence by Berhalter for lack of hustle in coaching. The participant’s mother and father, former U.S. captain Claudio Reyna and former women’s player Danielle Egan Reyna, notified the U.S. Soccer Federation of a 1992 domestic violence incident involving Berhalter and the lady he later married—Danielle Egan’s former faculty roommate.

The united states commissioned a regulation agency to research and appointed Anthony Hudson interim coach after Berhalter’s contract expired Dec. 31. The law firm said there was no legal impediment to retaining Berhalter, who remains a candidate, and the us delay a training choice till after a new sporting director is hired, in all probability this summer season.

Within the first aggressive U.S. match for the reason that World Cup, Reyna began in central midfield quite than his wing position below Berhalter. He performed till the sixty fourth minute.

Auston Trusty made his U.S. debut, paired in central protection with Mark McKenzie, who received his first begin since October 2021. Ahead Taylor Sales space made his debut within the sixty fourth.

Proper again Bryan Reynolds made his first begin since December 2021. The U.S. beginning lineup included goalkeeper Matt Turner and, left again Joe Scally, McKennie together with Luca de la Torre, Pulisic, Reyna and Aaronson in midfield, and Pepi at striker following his omission from the World Cup roster.

The U.S. improved to five–0 in opposition to Grenada with a 22–3 (15–2) objectives benefit.

Pepi scored from 7 yards in the fourth minute, his first worldwide aim since October 2021. Aaronson scored in the 20th minute off Pulisic’s feed, his seventh worldwide aim, and McKennie, Aaronson’s Leeds teammate, scored in the 31st, getting a head to Pulisic’s angled free kick and volleying along with his weaker left foot.

Myles Hippolyte scored within the thirty second minute for Grenada in his worldwide debut, beating Turner from 16 yards. McKennie got his 11th international goal in the 34th after Trusty headed down a cross. knocking the ball in along with his proper foot from quick vary.

Pulisic scored his 23rd international goal in the 49th minute with a shot that bounced in off goalkeeper Jason Belfon, and Pepi got his fifth international goal in the 53rd, scoring from 6 yards after operating onto de la Torre’s by means of ball. Zendejas, who dedicated to the U.S. over Mexico, made his American aggressive debut within the sixty fourth minute and scored from 23 yards following a turnover in the 72nd minute.

Johnny Cardoso entered within the 76th in his American aggressive debut, tying him to the U.S. program.

The People full group play Monday in Orlando, Florida, in opposition to El Salvador, which has 5 factors. and would advance to the semifinals in June with a win or draw. Grenada completed final within the group with one level.

Notes: After assembly with the U.S. staff in Orlando, Reims midfielder Folarin Balogun visited New York Yankees camp in Tampa. The 21-year-old midfielder, on mortgage from Arsenal, is eligible to play for England, the U.S. and Nigeria. … D Miles Robinson, who hasn’t performed for the U.S. since tearing his left Achilles on Might 7, was a wholesome scratch.