Renowned soccer coach reveals how Gregg Berhalter admitted to kicking wife

The renowned college soccer coach who launched Gregg Berhalter's career has told DailyMail.com how his former player broke down in tears and 'apologized profusely' when he came to him three decades ago to confess to kicking his future wife.

Elmar Bolowich considered Berhalter a model student-athlete before he walked into his office at the University of North Carolina in 1991 and admitted he had lashed out at Rosalind Santana, his then-girlfriend, the previous night after drinking at a bar.

The 18-year-old freshman was so ashamed of his behavior that he asked to undergo counseling, according to Bolowich, who mentored US hall of famer Eddie Pope and an array of future MLS stars during his 22 years as head coach of the Tar Heels men's soccer team.

The incident went unreported until this week when Berhalter, 49, finally went public in a bombshell social media post, alleging that a 'third party' had leaked details of the bust-up to US Soccer to try to get him fired as head coach of the men's international team.

Renowned soccer coach Elmar Bolowich (pictured) launched Gregg Berhalter's career when he was a student at University of North Carolina in the 90s. Bolowich tells DailyMail.com that Berhalter walked into his office in 1991 and admitted to the altercation with Rosalind Santana just after it happened

According to Bolowich, the 18-year-old freshman was so ashamed of his behavior that he asked to undergo counseling. Berhalter (right) is pictured in high school with Claudio Reyna. It was Reyna's wife Danielle who had leaked details of the bust-up to US Soccer to try to get him fired as head coach of the men's international team

Berhalter admitted to 'kicking his wife Rosalind (left) in the legs' after an argument in 1991. The pair are pictured at Oktoberfest, Munich, in 2006. 'He apologized profusely, he knew what happened wasn't right,' Bolowich said. 'I felt that it was sincere. I would consider it a slip up'

The culprit later revealed herself as Danielle Reyna, the wife of his former teammate and schoolfriend Claudio Reyna and mom of young starlet Gio Reyna, whom Berhalter refused to start at the World Cup despite a public clamor for his inclusion.

'One night, while out drinking at a local bar, Rosalind and I had a heated argument that continued outside. It became physical and I kicked her in the legs. There are zero excuses for my actions that night; it was a shameful moment and one that I regret to this day,' Berhalter wrote in his lengthy mea culpa.

'At that time, I immediately apologized to Rosalind … while the authorities were never involved in this matter, I voluntarily sought out counseling to help learn, grow and improve - one of the most valuable decisions that ever made. To this day, that type of behavior has never been repeated.'

Berhalter claimed he was blackmailed during Qatar World Cup

Bolowich, 68, told DailyMail.com in an exclusive interview that he was shocked that the ugly incident had surfaced after so long but he backed Berhalter's recollection of events.

'He came to me right away. He was in my office, and he also talked to the women's coach at the time, who was Anson Dorrance, because Rosalind played for him. He apologized profusely, he knew what happened wasn't right,' Bolowich said.

'He did not say this in a matter of fact way. He was very, very remorseful about it. I was disappointed, I told him that. We talked about it and he sought some counseling.

'I felt that it was sincere. He was very regretful and to my knowledge none of this has ever happened again in his career. I would consider it a slip up.'

Bolowich recalled Berhalter breaking down in tears and admitting that he had drunk alcohol in the lead up to the incident, possibly because the team were out celebrating.

The future US international did not elaborate on what had caused the argument with Rosalind, 49, whom Berhalter got back together with a few months later. The pair have been married for 25 years and have four children.

Bolowich said that law enforcement was not contacted because the incident happened 'outside of the college's jurisdiction' and that it was up to Rosalind and her parents to decide whether she wanted to involve the police. No formal disciplinary action was taken because Berhalter had agreed to counseling. 

'I was not there, I cannot judge what happened or the extent of it, but I don't think Rosalind needed any medical treatment,' added Bolowich, who won a national title and more games than any other men's coach has ever done at UNC.

'It was just a very, very unfortunate incident because they were dating and clearly in love with each other. The relationship was temporarily on hold after that and then they were back together.

'I know Gregg comes from a very straight up family and I know his dad was probably very upset about the whole thing.

'Gregg is the type of guy you want in your corner. He's a true team player, a true friend. I know he was ashamed because I know his character. I really am just dumbfounded at why this comes out right now.

'Rosalind has forgiven him, they moved on and lived a happy life. So why is this suddenly relevant as opposed to ten years ago or five years ago? The motivation just seems very questionable.'

Berhalter released a statement to his Twitter profile on Tuesday afternoon to clarify some 'personal information which a third party has used against my family and me'

Danielle Reyna, a former soccer player, came forward with her own statement Wednesday confirming she contacted US Soccer on December 11 to share details of the 1991 incident but denied making any threats or attempts at blackmail.

She placed the call to US Soccer sporting director Earnie Stewart on the same day Berhalter told a leadership conference that he had come close to sending an unnamed player – widely reported to be Gio Reyna, 20 – home from the World Cup for poor behavior.

'I felt that it was sincere. He was very regretful and to my knowledge none of this has ever happened again in his career. I would consider it a slip up,' Bolowich said  

'To set the record straight, I did call Earnie Stewart on December 11, just after the news broke that Gregg had made negative statements about my son Gio at a leadership conference,' Danielle's statement read.

'I have known Earnie for years and consider him to be a close friend. I wanted to let him know that I was absolutely outraged and devastated that Gio had been put in such a terrible position, and that I felt very personally betrayed by the actions of someone my family had considered a friend for decades.

'As part of that conversation, I told Earnie that I thought it was especially unfair that Gio, who had apologized for acting immaturely about his playing time, was still being dragged through the mud when Gregg had asked for and received forgiveness for doing something so much worse at the same age.

'Without going into detail, the statements from yesterday significantly minimize the abuse on the night in question. Rosalind Berhalter was my roommate, teammate and best friend, and I supported her through the trauma that followed.'

Danielle, 49, went on to insist that she had never asked for Berhalter to be fired however the 6ft 1in defender, who played club soccer for LA Galaxy, 1860 Munich and Crystal Palace, will not coach the US men's team at an upcoming training camp, it was announced late Wednesday.

US Soccer said Berhalter remains 'under consideration' to continue in the role pending an independent investigation into both the decades old domestic violence incident and 'potential inappropriate behavior' by outside individuals.

Claudio Reyna, now sporting director at Austin FC, has denied reports that he sent further threatening texts to US soccer officials during the Qatar World Cup about Berhalter, his longtime teammate and childhood friend from St Benedict's Prep in Newark, New Jersey.

'I support my wife, Danielle, and her statement. I too was upset by Gregg's comments about Gio after the US was out of the World Cup, and I also appealed to Earnie Stewart on December 11 asking him to prevent any additional comments,' the 49-year-old former midfielder said in a statement.

'While in Qatar, I shared my frustrations about my son's World Cup experience with a number of close friends, Earnie and Brian McBride among them. However, at no time did I ever threaten anyone, nor would I ever do so.'

Claudio and Danielle Reyna (pictured in 2018) released statements regarding Berhalter

Danielle was frustrated by Berhalter getting 'forgiveness for doing something much worse' at a similar age to Gio. Reyna played just twice at World Cup with both appearances off the bench

Reyna and Berhalter played soccer on the same team at St. Benedict's Prep in Newark, New Jersey

Bolowich coached the Tar Heels men's soccer team from 1988 to 2010 before taking up similar posts at George Mason and Creighton. He's currently coaching a youth soccer team in Jacksonville, Florida.

Some 45 of his student athletes have gone on to play professionally in Major League Soccer and six have gone on to play for the US national team, with Berhalter and Pope featuring in three world cups between them.

He encountered University of Virginia alum Reyna on many occasions when the Tar Heels took on the Virginian Cavaliers.

Reyna seemed a 'straight up' guy and was a very gifted footballer, perhaps possessing more natural talent than Berhalter, Bolowich observed.

'I wouldn't consider Gregg at the time a superstar but he certainly had the qualities to become a top professional just because of his work ethic and attitude. He was very mature, very focused, very, very driven,' Bolowich said.

'He was the type of player who was very courageous on the field. In practice he was the one who stayed late and did extra work. It was clear in his mind he wanted to become a professional.

'He knew his athletic ability maybe wouldn't carry him there alone and he had to work on his game. He devoted himself to it 100 percent.'