Reyna: Unsure About U.S….

Giovanni Reyna has expressed that playing for the United States in the World Cup would be a dream come true, as he strives to secure a spot in Mauricio Pochettino’s 26-man roster. The Borussia Mönchengladbach forward is dedicated to enhancing his fitness to ensure optimal performance.

Reyna, 23, netted his first goal for Gladbach during a 3-1 loss to Augsburg over the weekend. While it served primarily as a consolation goal, he hopes it signals the beginning of a positive streak leading up to the World Cup.

The past couple of seasons have been challenging for Reyna due to injuries disrupting his progress. Since transferring from Borussia Dortmund last summer, he has yet to complete a full 90 minutes for Gladbach, although he has recently made appearances off the bench in their last four games.

“Injuries can be frustrating, and nobody wants to be sidelined,” Reyna shared with reporters on Tuesday. “While I’ve been unlucky, I’m feeling good now and doing everything possible to stay fit, focusing on my training and recovery.”

“Playing for the national team is very important to me; I’ve had memorable experiences in the past few years, and I would love to contribute again. It’s a dream to represent my country at the World Cup.”

When asked if the pressure of securing a place in Pochettino’s squad weighs on him, Reyna replied, “It’s something that crosses everyone’s mind. No position is guaranteed, but I really want to be there for a World Cup taking place in my home country. I try not to let it dominate my thoughts too much, but it’s always in the back of my mind, as I’m sure it is for many players.”

“I want to be part of the team and give my all.”

Reflecting on whether he believes he has done enough to earn a spot, Reyna hesitated before responding, “If I say no, I’m not supporting myself. If I say yes, it might sound arrogant. It’s a tough question.”

“I have immense respect for the staff, the players, and the national team. Whatever happens, happens. I’m hopeful and eager to contribute and achieve something remarkable together, but the final decision isn’t mine.”

Looking back at Qatar 2022, where the U.S. Men’s National Team exited in the Round of 16 to the Netherlands, Reyna reflected, “As a young and somewhat inexperienced team, we faced a more seasoned Dutch squad, which proved to be too much for us. The World Cup is an incredible experience, and I gained valuable insights from it.”

“I would love to play a bigger role in the upcoming tournament, but ultimately, it’s about supporting the team and doing whatever it takes to make our nation proud.”

It will be up to Pochettino to decide if Reyna can fulfill his ambitions when the squad is announced on May 26. Reyna has participated in the last two training camps, scoring against Paraguay and appearing as a substitute against Uruguay, Belgium, and Portugal.

“I have a great relationship with Mauricio. During camps, he is very engaged, communicative, and honest about what he expects from the players and the team as a whole. I really appreciate our connection.”

The U.S. kicks off Group D in SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California, on June 12 against Paraguay, followed by matches against Australia and Türkiye.