Claudio Reyna Steps Down as Austin FC Sporting Director amid USMNT Investigation
Jan 26, 2023
AUSTIN, TX - FEBRUARY 16: Austin FC general manager Claudio Reyna (left) greets newly signed defender Ruben Gabrielson (right) prior to start of game between Atlas and Austin FC on February 16, 2022 at Q2 Stadium in Austin, TX. (Photo by John Rivera/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Claudio Reyna, the father of United States men's national team player Gio Reyna, is stepping down as Austin FC's Sporting Director and has transitioned into a technical advisor role, the Major League Soccer club announced Thursday.
Reyna said in a statement:
"I am grateful that Anthony and the organization have given me the opportunity to scale back my role and responsibilities while continuing to contribute to the success of a club that I love. I take great pride in what we have accomplished but am looking forward to a less all-consuming work pace that still permits me to assist ongoing club development."
"We're grateful for Claudio's contributions to both our Club and our community," Austin FC Majority Owner and CEO Anthony Precourt said. "Claudio has been committed to the cause of building a Club that inspires Austin, and he will remain in a position to contribute to our organization."
Director of player personnel Sean Rubio is taking over the club's sporting director role on an interim basis. Head coach Josh Wolff will also begin serving as Austin FC's interim chief soccer officer.
Reyna's decision to resign comes as his family remains embroiled in a scandal involving former USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter, who remains under investigation after Danielle Reyna told U.S. soccer about a domestic violence situation he was involved in.
ESPN's Jeff Carlisle and Kyle Bonagura reported that Danielle Reyna reported the incident to U.S. Soccer after Berhalter "made negative statements about [her] son Gio at a leadership conference."
Berhalter released a statement earlier this month stating that he kicked his then-girlfriend Rosalind during an argument while they were still in college. They are now married and have children.
With Berhalter still being investigated, his status with the USMNT remains unclear. His contract with the team expired after the World Cup in Qatar and he has yet to receive an extension offer amid the investigation.
Assistant coach Anthony Hudson is overseeing USMNT camp this month and coached Wednesday's 2-1 loss to Serbia. He will also be at the helm for the team's match against Colombia on Jan. 28.
