Gio Reyna keen to repay Mauricio Pochettino’s faith as World Cup approaches
The midfielder is determined to make his mark for the US men’s national team, despite struggles in club soccer
Gio Reyna is back with the US national team despite garnering little playing time at Mönchengladbach. Photograph: John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images Gio Reyna admitted on Thursday that news of his call-up to the US national team may have come as a surprise. “I guess you could say it was sort of one of [Mauricio Pochettino’s] more difficult decisions, or I guess controversial decisions to maybe bring me in,” he told reporters in Atlanta, where the US national team has gathered ahead of friendlies against Belgium and Portugal.
“Again, I can’t appreciate it enough. Love this team, love this staff, love this group of people. So just always honored to be here.
” Reyna has been largely invisible for Borussia Mönchengladbach, having made just 13 appearances this season, and only two since January, earning 26 minutes across those. But Reyna has been stuck in some manner of club purgatory much longer, ever since his ill-fated loan to Nottingham Forest in 2024. That move was meant to get him more playing time, yet delivered little of it for various reasons.
Dortmund used him sporadically on his return and Mönchengladbach have used him only sparingly since early in the season. Related: Three things to watch this USMNT window: goalkeepers, progressive full-backs and midfield puzzles Reyna’s fitness remains a concern, and is the main reason for many of his long spells off the field. Groin and thigh issues have popped up and recurred often.