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U.S. Soccer was embroiled in turmoil after
returning from the World Cup in Qatar when a bitter dispute
broke out between former coach Gregg Berhalter, U.S. midfielder
Reyna and his parents.
Berhalter, whose contract expired on Dec. 31 but remains a
candidate to be rehired, made remarks criticising Reyna's
commitment to the team at the tournament, saying that he even
considered sending him home.
Reyna's mother, Danielle, said she subsequently informed the
federation of a 1992 incident, during which Berhalter admitted
that he kicked his now-wife in the legs during a dispute.
That prompted an investigation by U.S. Soccer, which said last
week that the incident would not prevent the body from rehiring
Berhalter.
Interim head coach Anthony Hudson named Reyna to the 24-man
squad as the Americans seek to reach the CONCACAF Nations League
Final Four.
"What's happened with Gio in the past is in the past and what
happened at the World Cup happened at the World Cup and we moved
on from that as players," Ream told reporters on Tuesday.
"The biggest thing for us as a leadership and all the guys in
camp is to see that he's working hard, training hard, that he's
wanting to be here. Up to this point it's been nothing but
positive."
Ream, 35, said that he had private conversations with the
20-year-old Borussia Dortmund midfielder but would keep those
private "to allow him to move past everything that's happened".
"It's important for all of us to be able to move past that and
work together," he added.
Hudson said in remarks provided by U.S. Soccer last week that
Reyna was "a part of our program".
"He’s a good guy and a top talent and he is evaluated like any
other player," he said.
The United States play Grenada away on Friday in St. George's
and at home in Orlando, Florida, against El Salvador on March
27.
(Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York; Editing by Toby Davis)
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