Coming to America? Why MLS is the Perfect Place for Gio Reyna to Revive His Career

Coming to America? Why MLS is the Perfect Place for Gio Reyna to Revive His Career

A New Chapter for the USMNT Star?

It might not have been the grandest of stages, but the image of Gio Reyna watching Borussia Dortmund’s Club World Cup fixture from the locker room in Cincinnati struck a chord. There he was—once dubbed the golden boy of American soccer—relegated to observer, not even part of the matchday squad. It felt symbolic. Once seen as a generational talent, Reyna is now an afterthought at Dortmund.

And that’s not just hyperbole. Since the start of the 2024-25 season, Reyna has logged just 341 minutes of football. His loan spell at Nottingham Forest did little to revive his trajectory, and his place at Dortmund under Niko Kovac is, frankly, untenable. It’s no longer a question of “if” he leaves; it’s a matter of when—and where.

MLS vs. Serie A: A Critical Career Choice

Holstein Kiel v Borussia Dortmund – Bundesliga

There have been whispers. LAFC and NYCFC in MLS. Parma in Serie A. But make no mistake: Major League Soccer should be Gio Reyna’s next home. It might sound counterintuitive to those who see MLS as a step down, but for Reyna, it represents something far more valuable—an opportunity to reboot.

Why MLS Makes Footballing Sense

First, the obvious: a fully fit Gio Reyna would be one of the top five players in MLS. His technical skill, ability to manipulate space, and attacking flair would make him a nightmare for defenders in this league. Players like Riqui Puig and Lucho Acosta have already shown what a high-IQ midfielder can do in MLS. Reyna, when confident and healthy, belongs in that conversation.

But it’s not just about raw ability. The tactical demands of MLS are different. Defensive work from attacking midfielders is… well, optional. That suits Reyna just fine. According to FBRef, he ranks in the 1st percentile for interceptions and the 15th for tackles among attacking midfielders worldwide. Those numbers don’t fly in the Bundesliga, but they’re just fine in MLS, where the expectation is for DPs to produce moments of magic—not track back 30 yards every play.

The USMNT Angle: A Path Back In

There’s another layer here: Reyna’s relationship with the USMNT. He’s had his moments in the national shirt, especially during the 2024 Nations League finals and Copa America. But his World Cup 2022 debacle still lingers. Reyna barely featured, his attitude was questioned, and a family scandal involving his parents and coach Gregg Berhalter threw the program into disarray.

Yet, new manager Mauricio Pochettino seems keen on giving everyone a clean slate. He’s emphasized form over pedigree, even selecting a heavily MLS-based squad for the recent Gold Cup. If Reyna were to light up MLS, there’s no doubt he’d be right back in the mix for the 2026 World Cup.

Pochettino even said: “I think it’s a player we need to recover and put to the same level as the rest of the players to have the possibility to compete in the World Cup.”

MLS wouldn’t hurt that cause—in fact, it might help it.

Injuries and Irrelevance: Time is Not on Reyna’s Side

Gio Reyna Dortmund

Since 2021, Reyna has had at least eight separate muscular injuries. Three of them involved the same right hamstring. His running stats are down, and in the Club World Cup, he was the 19th-fastest player on the Dortmund squad—slower than their goalkeeper. That’s concerning.

High-pressing, high-intensity systems simply aren’t conducive to players with his injury history. Bundesliga? Premier League? Serie A? The physical demands might be too much.

MLS, while improving, doesn’t require the same relentless engine. Games are slower, more transitional, and offer space to players who can think faster than they can run. That’s Gio Reyna’s wheelhouse.

Parma? Thanks, But No Thanks

Los Angeles Football Club v Los Angeles Galaxy.

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the reported Parma offer. $7 million, a three-year deal. Not exactly a ringing endorsement. For a 22-year-old once considered the future of American soccer, that kind of deal screams “short-term gamble.”

Parma, a side that narrowly escaped relegation last season and lost five starters this summer, doesn’t exactly scream “stable project.” They’ve hired 29-year-old Carlos Cuesta, formerly an assistant at Arsenal, as their new head coach. Reyna doesn’t need another rebuild. He needs rhythm, minutes, and a team that plays through him.

In Italy, creative midfielders are rare. It’s a league of compact blocks, veteran defenders, and rigid tactics. Reyna might find himself marginalized all over again.

The American Dream: A Transcendent Star

MLS doesn’t currently have an American star with the charisma or talent to capture the national imagination. Sure, Messi is there, but he’s not American. Reyna could be that guy.

Think about it: flashy, enigmatic, bilingual, with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove. With the 2026 World Cup being hosted on American soil, there’s a marketing and narrative opportunity here that MLS and U.S. Soccer would be foolish to ignore.

This wouldn’t be about Reyna going home with his tail between his legs. This would be about a reset, a relaunch, and possibly, redemption.

From Dortmund’s Sidelines to MLS Main Man

SS Lazio v Parma – Serie A

There are financial realities to consider. Reyna earns around $50,000 per week at Dortmund. He’d have to take a pay cut, or at least get creative with MLS roster rules and sponsorships. But that’s not insurmountable.

He also might worry about his image. Leaving the Champions League for MLS at 22 isn’t the traditional route. But neither was Beckham’s move in 2007. Or Messi’s in 2023.

Sometimes the road less traveled leads to the biggest stage.

United States v Costa Rica – Gold Cup 2025: Quarter Finals

Final Thoughts: Swallowing Pride for a Bigger Goal

Reyna’s pride might say “stay in Europe.” His instincts might say “prove them wrong.” But football careers are short. At 22, he has time—but not forever. If he goes to MLS, excels, and earns a move back to Europe at 25, that’s still a win.

Alternatively, maybe MLS becomes his long-term home. That wouldn’t be the worst thing. For Gio Reyna, the goal shouldn’t be about proving Dortmund wrong. It should be about finding joy again, playing football with purpose, and writing the next chapter of what could still be a great American soccer story.

MLS is waiting. All Reyna has to do is say yes.

Borussia Dortmund v CF Monterrey: Round Of 16 – FIFA Club World Cup 2025