Gio Reyna at the double as United States clobber old foes Ghana in friendly

Gio Reyna ran to the corner flag with a big smile and hugged Christian Pulisic and more American teammates. About half an hour later, Reyna did it again, jumping with an arm overhead in front of the fans and tapping his chest for emphasis.

Reyna scored his first two international goals since a family feud with coach Gregg Berhalter erupted during last year’s World Cup, causing the United States to lose 4-0 to Ghana in a friendly on Tuesday night.

“Gio, what I saw during training session number one in this camp was an extreme amount of focus and skill,” Berhalter said. “So when he plays like that, like he did this whole camp, he’s definitely a guy who can help this group, and it’s really good to see him respond like that.”

Reina puts the US ahead in the 10th minute, Pulisic doubled the lead with a penalty in the 19th, and Folarin Balogun scored in the 22nd to give the Americans three goals in the space of twelve minutes. Reina scored again in the 39th for the sixth international goal and the first two-goal game for the US.

“Besides the goals, it was the way he brought players into attack,” said Berhalter, “how he can be calm on the ball and give us that calmness and balance that we sometimes need, but which is then decisive in creating of the final.” passes.”

Reyna told the U.S. Soccer Federation after the game that he did not want to speak to reporters. He has not spoken to the media after national team matches since the World Cup.

Reyna has returned to fitness since breaking her leg last June, playing the first half for the second game in a row. The 20-year-old midfielder’s first game under Berhalter since the controversy was Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to Germany.

Gio Reyna, son of former U.S. captain Claudio Reyna and U.S. midfielder Danielle Egan, was limited to a pair of substitute appearances in Qatar. Berhalter said at a post-tournament management conference that he almost sent a player home due to a lack of effort in training, and makes pointed comments about Reyna.

Reyna’s parents contacted the USSF about a thirty-year-old domestic violence allegation involving Berhalter and the woman who later became his wife. Berhalter was replaced by a pair of interim coaches and, after a law firm retained by the USSF determined he had not improperly withheld information when he was hired in 2018, he was rehired in June to resume coaching in September.

After the US started its second term with four friendlies, Berhalter will lead the Americans in a two-match Concacaf Nations League quarter-final next month, likely against Trinidad and Tobago. The winner will receive a place in the Copa América next year.

“We are still learning. We are still adapting to the game,” said Tim Weah. “We are on a path where we are on the rise and we are doing well.”

Ghana eliminated the US from the 2006 and 2010 World Cups and the Americans opened the 2014 tournament with a win over the Black Stars. The 11th-ranked US equaled their highest margin of victory against an African opponent, against South Africa in 2000.

The Americans took the lead after Sergiño Dest dribbled towards goal and passed wide of Balogun, whose cross bounced off defender Nicholas Opoku. The ball fell to Reyna, who one-timed a right-foot shot from about 12 yards for his first American goal since June 2021.

Pulisic converted the penalty for his 28th international goal after Gideon Mensah nudged Weah.

Weah created the third goal when Jerome Opoku, under US pressure, failed to control a pass on a flank. Weah picked up the ball and centered to Balogun, who spun as he took a touch and scored from the center of the box for his third goal in six appearances.

Reyna scored his second goal from an indirect free kick ten yards out, awarded when Opoku was on the ball. Bologun stood next to Reyna and passed the ball a meter to Pulisic, who tapped it to Reyna, and he kicked the ball into the roof of the net.

American goalkeeper Matt Turner was under little pressure but stretched to parry Mohammed Kudus’ shot over the crossbar in the 41st minute.

Lennard Maloney, a 24-year-old midfielder born in Germany, entered in the 65th minute for the 60th American debut under Berhalter.

Ghana suffered a 2-0 defeat to Mexico and have lost consecutive matches following a five-match unbeaten streak under Chris Hughton, who took over as coach in February. The Black Stars open World Cup qualifying next month.

The US will automatically receive a spot as co-host for the World Cup.