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 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.”