Berhalter brings Reyna back into USMNT fold after World Cup spat

Gregg Berhalter welcomed Giovanni Reyna back into the United States men's national team Thursday as he announced his squad for October's friendlies against Germany and Ghana.

Reyna was at the center of a messy World Cup fallout, which included allegations about his lack of effort at the tournament in Qatar, revelations about Berhalter's past, and controversy regarding the conduct of Reyna's parents - both former United States players - and their communication with executives within the U.S. Soccer federation.

Amid the much-publicized drama, Berhalter briefly relinquished control of the national team before returning in June and picking his first squad back at the helm for September's international dates. Reyna wasn't in last month's roster but hadn't played since June - due to an injury suffered while playing for the United States in the CONCACAF Nations League - and he's still yet to feature during the 2023-24 club season despite being named on Borussia Dortmund's bench for each of their last four matches.

Before Berhalter's comeback was confirmed, the head coach received support from Christian Pulisic during March's international break.

"I think we've seen what's been going on," the USMNT captain said. "I think it's childish; it's youth soccer, people complaining about playing time. I don't want to go too far into that, but I think Gregg has been extremely unfortunate to get into the position he is in now."

In addition to Reyna's return to the USMNT squad, midfielder Lennard Maloney, who plays for Heidenheim in Germany's Bundesliga, earned his first call-up to the national team.

Berhalter's side faces Germany in Connecticut on Oct. 14 before taking on Ghana in Tennessee three days later.

USMNT squad

Goalkeepers: Ethan Horvath (Nottingham Forest, England), Matt Turner (Nottingham Forest, England)

Defenders: Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic, Scotland), Sergino Dest (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands), DeJuan Jones (New England Revolution), Kristoffer Lund (Palermo, Italy), Tim Ream (Fulham, England), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace, England), Miles Robinson (Atlanta United), Joe Scally (Borussia Monchengladbach, Germany)

Midfielders: Johnny Cardoso (Internacional, Brazil), Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo, Spain), Lennard Maloney (Heidenheim, Germany), Weston McKennie (Juventus, Italy), Yunus Musah (AC Milan, Italy), Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund, Germany), Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands)

Forwards: Brenden Aaronson (Union Berlin, Germany), Folarin Balogun (Monaco, France), Kevin Paredes (Wolfsburg, Germany), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan, Italy), Tim Weah (Juventus, Italy)