Gio Reyna almost sent home from World Cup by USA

BIT PART: USA's forward Giovanni Reyna (L) fights for the ball with Netherlands' Daley Blind during the Qatar 2022 World Cup round of 16 match at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha. Pic: Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP via Getty Images

USA midfielder Gio Reyna was almost sent home from Qatar for a perceived lack of effort during the team’s preparations for their World Cup opener against Wales, according to multiple reports.

The Athletic reported that Reyna was “walking around” while the rest of the team trained intensely in one session a few days before the Wales match, USA’s first game at a World Cup since 2014. It was not clear whether the 20-year-old’s performance was due to injury or disappointment that he was unlikely to start against Wales. The Athletic said senior US players spoke to Reyna about the situation several times before he eventually apologized to his teammates, and the matter was considered to be settled.