INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The recent defeat of the United States men’s national team against Panama has raised several questions about the squad’s strategy moving forward.

One key concern is the decision by USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino to leave forward Gio Reyna on the bench during the semifinal match. Amidst a lack of creativity on the pitch, Pochettino opted for Jack McGlynn in the 68th minute instead of Reyna, a choice that surprised many fans given the circumstances.

When Panama scored in stoppage time, it confirmed their victory and prevented Reyna from coming onto the field. “We were thinking to give [the opportunity] to play Gio and Diego [Luna], but for sure they’re going to have the opportunity [next match],” Pochettino commented post-match.

The upcoming match against Canada offers another chance for players like Reyna to prove their worth as they aim to rebound from the loss. Pochettino has confirmed that Reyna faces no restrictions for this game and emphasized the importance of his performance amidst concerns about Reyna’s playing time at Borussia Dortmund.

Moreover, as the Gold Cup approaches, the situation complicates with Dortmund participating in the FIFA Club World Cup, which might hinder Reyna’s national team availability. Pochettino underlined the critical nature of this opportunity to evaluate Reyna’s potential contributions before the World Cup.

“He’s not playing too much at his club, and I think [this camp] was a great opportunity for him. We hope that [Sunday’s match] he’ll have some minutes,” noted Pochettino.

For the USMNT to succeed against Canada, adjustments in strategy will be vital. While Pochettino isn’t planning a complete overhaul of the lineup, fans can expect some rotation and more time on the field for Reyna.

“Our main objective is the World Cup. I have no doubt Christian will be ready and at his best, and one of the best players for us,” added Pochettino.

As the team prepares for this weekend, the primary goal remains to close this chapter with a positive outcome.