Last week, Gio Reyna was included in the United States’ provisional roster for the Concacaf Nations League finals set to take place in Los Angeles this month. The final decision from coach Mauricio Pochettino on his selection for the 23-man squad remains uncertain.
The prevailing belief is that Pochettino is likely to choose Reyna. However, it’s not a guaranteed matter. Despite the 22-year-old Borussia Dortmund forward starting in two of his club’s last three Bundesliga matches, he has not fully capitalized on this chance. With regular starter Julian Brandt returning from injury, Reyna is again expected to be on the bench, where he has spent a significant portion of the season. Even after playing 74 minutes in a recent 2-0 victory against St. Pauli, Reyna has only managed to log 541 minutes across all competitions this season — less than the duration of six complete matches.
In spite of injuries sidelining forwards Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, and Haji Wright, competition for roster spots is still intensifying.
Injury has hampered the Argentine coach from selecting Reyna since his appointment last September to lead the U.S. team through next year’s co-hosted World Cup. Pochettino has yet to discuss Reyna’s circumstances in public but has generally encouraged players to seek new teams if they are unable to secure consistent playing time with their clubs.
Reyna remains a unique case. Five years after he became the youngest American ever to take part in the Champions League at age 17, he continues to be considered one of the brightest talents in American soccer. A series of injuries, including a torn groin, a broken leg, and hamstring problems, along with frequent changes in management, have prevented him from becoming a consistent starter for the Black & Yellow. Nevertheless, Reyna has been a regular in the USMNT setup for the past two years and has been particularly influential in the Nations League, contributing to the U.S. victories in 2021, 2023, and 2024. He was honored as man of the match in two final showdowns and was named tournament MVP last year.
This impressive history should ideally persuade Pochettino to include Reyna this month, although it seems unlikely that he would start if the rest of the team is fit. Regardless of the role Reyna plays, it will be intriguing to see how Pochettino manages his talent. The former coach of Chelsea, PSG, and Tottenham favors industrious, tenacious players — which may not align with Reyna’s playing style — but Pochettino is also aware that the USMNT will need every ounce of talent available for a substantial run in the World Cup on home turf in 15 months. Maximizing Reyna’s output over the coming year could play a pivotal role in that endeavor.
