As the 2026 World Cup on home soil draws closer, the spotlight intensifies on the U.S. Men’s National Team roster, and few players embody the central dilemma facing manager Mauricio Pochettino more than midfielder Gio Reyna.
At 23 years old, Reyna possesses undeniable talent, yet a persistent struggle for consistent club minutes and a history of injuries cast a shadow over his chances of making the squad.
Reyna’s club career has been a testament to unfulfilled potential in recent seasons. After leaving Borussia Dortmund for Borussia Monchengladbach last summer in pursuit of more playing time, the move has yet to yield the desired results.
This season, the midfielder has played just 487 league minutes, a stark contrast to the 1,000-minute threshold he hasn’t reached since the 2020-21 campaign. His recent late consolation goal in Gladbach’s 3-1 loss to Augsburg marked his first club goal since January 2025, highlighting a significant drought.
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A major factor in Reyna’s limited availability has been a string of injuries. Since the 2022 World Cup, where he played only 52 minutes across four games as the U.S. exited in the Round of 16 against the Netherlands, Reyna has missed a staggering 43 games due to various ailments. This chronic issue has severely hampered his ability to build momentum and establish himself as a regular starter.
Pochettino’s belief in Reyna’s talent
Despite his club struggles, Reyna has demonstrated his value on the international stage. In November, he scored a goal against Ecuador and provided an assist against Uruguay for the USMNT, showcasing the creative spark he can offer.
USMNT boss Pochettino clearly recognizes this potential, having called Reyna into the national team group for friendlies against Belgium and Portugal in March.
Pochettino has openly acknowledged Reyna’s unique abilities. “That is a very talented player, and we know how he can add to the national team,” the manager stated. “And he is capable of performing with us.
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Again, I think we really know that he’s a very special talent and a very special player. And I think to give the possibility, even if it’s not playing too much in his club, it can be very useful for us.”
Reyna’s perspective ahead of the decision
Reyna himself remains hopeful but pragmatic about his prospects. Speaking to GOAL, he reflected on the difficult position of assessing his own worthiness.
“If I say no, I’m not backing myself, but then if I say yes, it’s the arrogant answer where I feel like I should be there. It’s a hard question to answer,” he admitted. “I’ll keep it pretty simple: I love the staff, I love the players, I love the national team. Obviously, whatever happens, happens.
I’m really hoping and wanting to be there to make an impact and achieve something great with the team, but the decision is out of my hands. Obviously, I’m just really hoping and waiting for the call-up. It would be an honor.”
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The midfielder, whose father Claudio was part of the 1994 USMNT squad, understands the significance of a home World Cup.
The anticipation will build until May 26, when the USMNT will unveil their World Cup roster in New York, with Pochettino facing a tough decision on whether Reyna’s undeniable talent outweighs his recent struggles for fitness and consistent minutes.
Sources: www.goal.com
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