Reyna’s World Cup Hopes Amid Club Struggles

ATLANTA — Mauricio Pochettino discussed the significance of club performance and emphasized that players need to show their worth to earn a spot on the World Cup roster.

And then there’s Gio Reyna.

He’s incredibly talented, yet somewhat underutilized, with just 26 minutes of playing time this year—a staggering statistic. Over the past couple of months, Reyna has hardly stepped onto the field for Borussia Mönchengladbach, but he’s still been called up to the USMNT camp, gearing up for friendlies against Belgium and Portugal.

In terms of performance, Reyna stands out as something of an exception.

To make it onto the USMNT for this summer’s World Cup, he might need to be at his very best.

“Playing regularly would be much easier, but that’s not my situation,” Reyna shared. “I’m grateful to be back and appreciated by the coach. If given the chance, I believe I can make a difference in this camp.”

The U.S. has more seasoned players in form, yet they seem to lack a naturally gifted playmaker.

At just 23, Reyna has lost playing time and development opportunities due to injuries, but his knack for breaking down defenses at key moments is rare among his teammates—when he’s healthy. That’s a big “if.”

Since debuting in November 2020, Reyna has accumulated 34 caps with nine goals and six assists. Unfortunately, groin and thigh injuries have held him back, first with Borussia Dortmund and now with Mönchengladbach. His attitude during the last World Cup even led previous coach Gregg Berhalter to limit his minutes.

Reyna’s parents, Claudio and Daniel, expressed their anger over that experience, referencing an incident from 1992 involving Berhalter and his wife.

Now that Berhalter is no longer the coach, Reyna seems to have mostly moved on from that saga, and Pochettino sees potential in the midfielder.

Or, maybe, what he hopes to see.

“We understand that he possesses a unique talent and is a special player,” Pochettino commented. “It would certainly be advantageous for us to give him opportunities, even if his club play has been limited.”

Behind standout players like Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie, there are other midfield talents like Malik Tillman and Brenden Aaronson. Still, Reyna has his own distinctive flair.

“Mauricio and I have built a solid relationship, and we communicate quite a bit,” Reyna stated. “He fosters a positive atmosphere within the group. I feel deeply honored to be here. Considering my club situation, I can acknowledge that my inclusion may have been a contentious choice.”

“I can’t thank everyone enough. I truly love this team and staff. I believe I’m ready to contribute when opportunity calls,” he added.

This season, Reyna has only played 398 minutes in 13 Bundesliga matches, with a scant two appearances in 2026. Yet, despite being absent from the USMNT roster for much of last year, he shone in friendlies against Paraguay and Uruguay in November, where he played 75 minutes and scored an opening goal, assisting on another in a dominating win.

He’s set on replicating that performance in the upcoming matches.

“I feel strong and confident, thanks to the support here. The staff encourages me to express myself and enjoy the game. It’s straightforward,” Reyna observed. “While there are some guidelines, the attacking players enjoy considerable freedom, which we really value.”

For Pochettino, Reyna’s case is indeed unique.

Here’s hoping he rises to the occasion.