Gio Reyna has acknowledged that his call-up to the US men's national team may have been a surprise, given his limited playing time at Borussia Mönchengladbach. The 23-year-old midfielder has made just 13 appearances this season, with only two since January, totalling 26 minutes. His club struggles follow an unsuccessful loan to Nottingham Forest in 2024 and sporadic use at Borussia Dortmund.
Reyna's fitness has been a recurring issue, with groin and thigh problems limiting his availability. Concerns about his attitude have also lingered since the 2022 World Cup, where a perceived lack of effort in training led to reduced playing time and a highly publicised off-field incident. Despite this, US head coach Mauricio Pochettino has continued to select Reyna, praising his talent and rewarding his strong performances in November's friendlies against Paraguay and Uruguay, where he scored and assisted.
Speaking in Atlanta ahead of friendlies against Belgium and Portugal, Reyna expressed gratitude for Pochettino's faith. 'Me and Mauricio have a great relationship and we speak often,' he said. 'He keeps the vibes and energy in this group and this camp amazing. It's always an honour to come back, understanding the club situation.' Reyna added that he feels prepared to make an impact despite his lack of minutes.
Pochettino has made an exception for Reyna, emphasising his value to the team. 'We really know he's a very talented and very special player,' the Argentinian said. 'To give the possibility, even if he's not playing too much in his club, it can be very useful for us.' Reyna's spot on the World Cup roster appears secure, though he faces competition from Malik Tillman and Diego Luna, the latter of whom was left out of the current squad due to injury.
