Gio Reyna Details Path Back To Usmnt As 2026 World Cup Approaches

Gio Reyna has to play consistently and execute good for U.S. men’s nationalist squad head Mauricio Pochettino to see him successful 2026, nan American revealed.

Reyna, erstwhile a cardinal portion successful USMNT plans, has not played for his state since March 23 successful nan Concacaf Nations League 3rd spot match. He has struggled for minutes astatine nan nine level successful caller years amid a tally of injuries.

The 22-year-old described nan 2026 FIFA World Cup as, “somewhere wherever I request and want to be,” successful an question and reply pinch nan Associated Press.

“I deliberation Pochettino was very clear pinch saying, ‘You request to play, execute and past if you do that past you person a bully chance to travel successful again. It’s each connected maine now,” Reyna said.

Reyna has dealt pinch 8 different injuries complete nan past 5 years. / IMAGO/David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire

They opportunity readiness is reliability, a trait Reyna has struggled to show for rather immoderate time.

Multiple musculus injuries and a limb fracture person seen him miss sizeable clip successful nan past 5 years. Just past year, nan erstwhile Borussia Dortmund man struggled for minutes astatine nan nine and nationalist squad level aft dealing pinch a groin strain. He has not played 90 minutes successful a master convention crippled since 2022.

Since moving to Borussia Monchengladbach successful nan summer, fittingness and a thigh wounded person resulted successful conscionable 120 minutes successful nan Bundesliga.

“I’ve learned a batch astir my assemblage That intends treating fittingness activity arsenic much of a dialog pinch nan club’s diversion coaches and uncovering caller ways to woody pinch nan intelligence strain of yet different setback,” Reyna added.

Staying fresh will beryllium cardinal if Reyna is to impressment Pochettino.

Competition for Places

Malik Tillman is competing straight pinch Reyna for minutes. / Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images

As Reyna searches for consistency, he besides has to contend pinch those already impressing Pochettino connected world duty.

Most notably is Malik Tillman, different American playing successful nan Bundesliga.

Reyna profiles mostly arsenic an attacking midfielder, but has besides played retired wide connected nan wings. Tillman stood retired during nan Concacaf Gold Cup successful a akin domiciled arsenic different family superstars were absent. Even pinch Pochettino seemingly ditching his 4-2-3-1 system, 1 that needs a imaginative midfielder, for a 3-4-3, Tillman excelled retired wide successful a friends against Ecuador.

Also opinionated successful Reyna’s measurement is Real Salt Lake standout Diego Luna, who was Pochettino’s first sanction disconnected nan chair to switch an injured Christian Pulisic against Australia.

All three, however, are of nan aforesaid property profile. If Reyna is capable to recapture nan fittingness and shape that saw him win astatine Dortmund, nan USMNT could person a wealthiness of attacking options travel nan World Cup connected location soil.

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