NEW YORK — United States men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino announced the inclusion of Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder Gio Reyna in his World Cup roster, praising the player for his “amazing talent.”
Despite playing only 137 minutes for Gladbach this calendar year and scoring once, Reyna secured a spot on the U.S. squad. His recent performances during the November international window, where he scored in a 2-1 victory over Paraguay and provided an assist in a 5-1 win against Uruguay, influenced Pochettino’s decision to select him, referring to Reyna’s display as “fantastic.”
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“We all recognize Gio’s exceptional talent and experience,” Pochettino remarked at a news conference following the announcement of his 26-player roster. “Playing in non-official games or different competitions is not the same as competing in the World Cup. We need to trust players with experience, and I believe that’s very important.”
Reyna has long been regarded as one of the most talented players in the USMNT pool, but injuries and inconsistent play have hindered his club impact. However, Pochettino sees great potential in him.
“Reyna brings unique qualities to the team. He possesses the required skill,” Pochettino stated. “I believe he has distinct characteristics, and I genuinely trust him. I like to trust all players, but my confidence in him is strong, and I want to give him that assurance.”
Reyna expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate in his second World Cup. His previous experience was marred by controversy when then-coach Gregg Berhalter nearly sent him home from Qatar in 2022 due to concerns over his training effort, resulting in a public feud after Berhalter discussed the incident post-World Cup.
Now, Reyna is eager to create a more positive World Cup experience. “This country now has a lot of competition and talent, so making the team wasn’t easy for anyone,” he told reporters after the squad announcement. “Of course, I’m thrilled to be here, but I also want to contribute to the team in any way I can. I’m just grateful for the chance to represent again.”
Pochettino downplayed expectations for Reyna’s playing time, suggesting he may not start but would be a valuable asset off the bench. “I don’t want to say he’ll play every game, but he can make a difference,” he mentioned. “Having a player with his talent in the squad is vital.”
The U.S. will kick off its World Cup campaign against Paraguay on June 12 in Inglewood, California, followed by a match against Australia in Seattle before concluding the group stage against Türkiye at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.
Prior to the World Cup, the U.S. will hold warm-up matches against Senegal in Charlotte on Sunday and Germany in Chicago on June 6.