After USMNT’s disappointing loss to Uruguay, the hashtag #FireBerhalter has become popular on X. It is safe the say the frustration among fans has grown significantly, and rightly so. This loss ended Team USA’s Copa America ambition and is no doubt a turning point for Head Coach Gregg Berhalter’s job. Many think he should leave, but some players don’t share this view. One of them is USMNT’s star player Gio Reyna.

Earlier it was Matt Turner who took a stand for Berhalte and his guidance despite the team’s unfortunate departure from the group phase in the Copa America. Now, Gio Reyna is also standing up for the 50-year-old coach, opposing demands for his dismissal.

Gio Reyna believes not Gregg Berhalter but the players at fault

After the US soccer team lost to Uruguay, Gio Reyna reflected on how the team didn’t do well in the competition. In a post-match interview, the 21-year-old shared his ideas about who should be blamed for the US team not being able to move past the first round. Reyna said, “I don’t think this tournament really had anything to do with the staff or the tactics or the way we play.”

He continued by saying, “I think it was more individual mistakes. The staff can only do so much.” Recognizing the poor performance, the Nottingham Forest midfielder admitted, “At the end of the day, the players didn’t do enough to go through.” 

Gio Reyna believes that Gregg Berhalter is not the problem with the team. For him, the players are more to blame than the coach. Another USMNT player, Matt Turner also seems to agree with this view. He spoke about his coach amid criticism and growing voices for his sacking.

Matt Turner fas faith in Berhalter

Even amidst poor results and criticism, Matt Turner said he believes in Gregg Berhalter’s leadership and that he doesn’t see any problems. He pointed out that with the ex-defender managing the USMNT, they had a good chance of winning every match in the Copa America tournament. For the goalkeeper, this shows that the coach is doing a good job.

At the end of his speech, the 30-year-old player stressed the importance of players taking responsibility, saying: “We can’t look at anywhere to blame except ourselves, us players.” Clearly, both Reyna and Turner are showing strong backing for Gregg Berhalter from the players. Be that as it may, whether he will continue as the head coach of the US national team is yet to be seen.

Do you believe the US Soccer will sack Berhalter? Sound off in the comments below.