BRAD FRIEDEL: I hope Claudio Reyna and Gregg Berhalter mend their friendship

Like everyone, I’m really shocked and surprised at what happened between Gregg Berhalter and Claudio Reyna. I’ve played with both, I know them both. They were best friends, their families were good friends.

Things just went crazy and got out of hand. I don’t understand why it happened to these two. I spoke to friends and teammates, everyone is the same – the reaction is just “wow”. I know both families well – Gregg and Rosalind have wonderful children, a loving marriage and a fantastic life together. And the same goes for Claudio and Danielle and their children.

I remember the US camps we all played at. They weren’t a bad clique, but of course you spent time with people from the same area as you. UCLA boys would go in and hang out – I’d take a room with Joe Max-Moore. Claudio and Gregg were from Jersey, they went to different universities, but they knew each other. If there was a day off to go out for lunch or whatever, it would be these two and their families. They were just good friends.

US Soccer has an investigation and I think they’re going to figure out the timing of every message, every text, and then we’ll be able to know who’s right, who’s wrong, or if they’re both wrong.

Brad Friedel has spoken of hope that Gregg Berhalter and Claudio Reyna can mend their friendship

The ending of a decade-long friendship between the two families ultimately comes after Berhalter (right) decided not to play much against Gio Reyna at the World Cup in Qatar

Friedel (top left) played for the United States national team for many years along with Berhalter (top row, third left) and Reyna (left, bottom row).

And when we think about what happened here and what might have happened at the World Cup, we have to realize that open communication with the head coach isn’t normal as a player’s parent – but it is for these two. These guys would have talked to each other all the time, just as friends.

It’s unique. Even more extreme, it’s very rare to have two best friends where one is one of the best players in the United States and the other is the coach.

But I’m the type of person who doesn’t want to live in the past. I try to look for ways that everyone can move forward. People will probably think I’m crazy, but I really hope they can sit down and put it right.

Reyna (No.10) and Berhalter (No.3) were “good friends” during their time in the US squad.

I think they have had too many good years of the relationship and yes some bad things have been said but I hope they can put things right. I really do. As far as I know about them, their families were far too close for this to happen.

I think Anthony Precourt, the owner of Austin, could play a role. He’s on really good terms with both people, one he currently hires as a sporting director at Claudio and one he hired at Gregg in the past to coach Columbus.

Anthony is a gentleman, he’s a really nice guy and very humble. I met him a couple of times, back when I was one of the last candidates before he hired Gregg for the Columbus jobs.

But he’s in a strong position and if you look at what he’s done now in Austin and before that at Columbus, he knows a thing or two about leadership. While I’m sure Anthony didn’t want any of this on his lap, nor did he cause it or have anything to do with it, perhaps being the gentleman that he is he can help the situation.

Austin FC owner Anthony Precourt has close ties with coaches Berhalter and Reyna

Berhalter (second from right) was previously hired by Precourt (left) during his time with Columbus

Precourt (left) has now hired Reyna (second from left) as athletic director at Austin FC

I don’t know what US Soccer does from here. Maybe they don’t want the unnecessary noise and push everyone aside and go a new way. This all comes at an unfortunate time as they were considering keeping Gregg for another four-year cycle, as many federations are doing after the World Cup in Qatar.

One of the big questions US soccer could ask Gregg is what’s next for Gio Reyna. Gio is one of our best players. Whoever the coach is, if Gio is fit and playing at the level he can, he’ll be called up to the squad.

In Qatar, Gio made a mistake by dropping his focus. He’s a young player, he’s an incredibly talented player and he’s someone that US football needs for the future. He will be called to any US camp he sees fit for the future.

I think Gregg said he shouldn’t have made the post-World Cup comments to the group he was speaking to when he alluded to Reyna’s disappointment. I don’t think this is a situation where he’s saying he’s not at fault.

One question US soccer is asking Berhalter is how things could go with Gio Reyna in the future

But players start and don’t start, those are team decisions. You should stay indoors. In every roster there’s always an angry cow or two they can’t play. This is one of those times when it’s gotten out of hand.

Would I have said something like Gio? I don’t know, but it’s different when you’re thrown into these things. I would assume Gio will now focus on association football, keep his head down and be a big part of US football moving forward.

Time is of the essence for Gregg and Claudio, but US football may not have the time to make a decision on the head coach’s front line. I think the family and friendship is a bit more important than the job.

They were both exceptionally gifted players, excelling in their roles as head coach and sporting director. It would be a shame if people remembered that rather than what they achieved in their field.