Gio Reyna 'hoping and waiting' as USMNT World Cup roster decision nears

Share articleMauricio Pochettino and his staff face a number of decisions before they name the U.S. men’s national team’s World Cup squad, with a final call coming two weeks from Tuesday. And at the end of a roller-coaster of a World Cup cycle, there’s been one question that has persisted: Does Gio Reyna fit in? Does he make the 26-man roster? If so, what will his role be? Speaking to the media from his German club Borussia Mönchengladbach on Tuesday, Reyna won’t take it upon himself to provide the answers, even if there’s a clear underlying desire. “If I say no, I’m not backing myself, and if I say yes, it’s arrogant,” Reyna said. “It’s a hard question to answer. I love the staff, players and the national team. Whatever happens, happens. I really want to be there … but the decision is out of my hands. I’m just hoping and waiting for the call-up, it would be an honor.” On one hand, Reyna has played fewer than 500 league minutes all season for Gladbach after playing fewer than 700 league minutes for Borussia Dortmund (and on a brief loan to Nottingham Forest) in each of the prior seasons dating back to 2022-23. He is oft-injured and physically doesn’t look the same as when he was one of the brightest young talents in the world four years ago. On the other hand, that ability is still there — Pochettino famously has called him a “special situation” — and there are few, if any, players in the current U.S. pool that can do what he can do in a given moment. He scored his first goal for Gladbach last weekend — his first goal at the club level at all since January 2025 while at Dortmund — after scoring for the USMNT in November against Paraguay, and he has appeared in each of the national team’s last four games despite a lack of club minutes. He was called into camp in March despite not featuring for Gladbach in the eight games leading into the break. With the U.S. World Cup opener a month away, Reyna says his fitness is not a concern. “I feel ready to play 90 minutes and I can give my max,” he said. “You can say I feel 100%, I feel very fit and sharp. All I want to do is show it on the pitch.” Reyna joined Gladbach last summer for more regular playing time and was earning minutes early in the year, albeit mostly off the bench. After a few starts in December, he picked up an injury in January and struggled to get back on the field even when available off the bench. He was an unused sub in five of six games between the end of February and early April. Over the last month, though, Reyna has played four consecutive games and netted that elusive goal, albeit as consolation at the end of a defeat. Teammate and good friend Joe Scally also hopes to make the World Cup roster, though he, at times, has been a peripheral figure under Pochettino. He was left off three straight rosters — including the Gold Cup — between the Concacaf Nations League in March 2025 and November friendlies. He has, however, been selected by Pochettino for the last two camps. Playing time for the club has never been a hurdle for Scally. He recently became the youngest non-German player to eclipse 150 Bundesliga appearances, as he has been a constant for Gladbach the last five years. “Playing and playing well is helping us,” Scally said. “That’s the main thing, hopefully that puts us in the best position to be (at the World Cup).” Both players were on the roster for the last World Cup, though neither had much of an on-field impact. Scally didn’t play at all, while Reyna’s lack of playing time was the origin of controversy and drama around the federation. Reyna played 52 minutes across two games and was twice an unused sub. Upset by a lack of minutes (“I let my emotions get the best of me,” he later admitted), Reyna was nearly sent home for his conduct. A week after the USMNT’s elimination, when The Athletic reported (and head coach Gregg Berhalter inadvertently revealed) the drama to the world. It’s water under the bridge now, with Reyna having moved forward from that moment over the course of the cycle. There’s a new head coach — both Reyna and Scally said they have excellent relationships with Pochettino — a new squad and new expectations as one of the World Cup cohosts. “The [2022] World Cup was an amazing experience, I learned so much from that,” Reyna said. “Of course I want to play more in this upcoming tournament, but you learn you’re just trying to do whatever you can to help the team. You’re fighting for something great in your home country, it would be a dream to be there. “The national team means a lot to me… I’d love to be there, have an impact on the team. It would be a dream to represent my country at the World Cup.” Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms