‘I Can’t Be Too Surprised’ – Gio Reyna Accepts USMNT September Friendlies Omission, Targets Return to Mauricio Pochettino’s Squad

Reyna’s New Reality After Dortmund Exit

For many U.S. Men’s National Team fans, Gio Reyna’s omission from Mauricio Pochettino’s squad for September friendlies against Japan and South Korea might have felt like a shock. This is, after all, a player once heralded as one of the brightest talents of his generation, a player whose technique and creativity seemed destined to make him a permanent fixture in the American midfield.

But Reyna himself? He wasn’t surprised.

“Yeah, I mean, I can’t really be [mad],” Reyna told ESPN after being left out. “I can’t be too surprised if, obviously, I haven’t played any games with the club yet this season and I haven’t played any preseason games. Of course, I want to be back in, but I only know that’s possible with playing time and performing well. That’s how it is. That’s how it should be.”

It was an honest admission, one that reflects both self-awareness and a recognition of the competitive environment surrounding the national team. And it sets the stage for what could be one of the most important years of Reyna’s career.

From Dortmund Starlet to Forgotten Man

Giovanni Reyna Dortmund 01292025

It wasn’t long ago that Reyna was viewed as one of the crown jewels of Borussia Dortmund’s famed talent pipeline. He made his debut in 2019 at just 17 years old, scoring spectacular goals and drawing comparisons to some of Europe’s most elegant attacking midfielders. For the U.S., his rise seemed to symbolize the beginning of a golden generation.

But football is rarely a straight-line ascent. Injuries, managerial changes, and inconsistency derailed Reyna’s trajectory in Germany.

• 2022–23 Season: Reyna managed only 614 minutes of Bundesliga football.

• His involvement often came from the bench, with several managers preferring other options in attacking midfield or on the wings.

• Persistent muscular injuries disrupted his rhythm, forcing long layoffs just when he appeared ready to push for a starting role.

By the end of his Dortmund stint, Reyna was no longer the promising wonderkid playing freely at Signal Iduna Park — he was a fringe player searching for minutes, confidence, and trust.

Why Borussia Monchengladbach?

Gio Reyna Dortmund 2023

This summer, Reyna took the decisive step of leaving Dortmund after six years. His destination: Borussia Monchengladbach, a club with a proud tradition of nurturing attacking talent and giving younger players a platform to express themselves.

For Reyna, it was about more than just a change of scenery. It was about survival, relevance, and ambition.

“Obviously, I feel like it’s the time to take the next step for me,” Reyna said of his decision. “And also, of course, with the national team now too. It’s really important that I play, wanting to come back in and be ready for the World Cup more than anything.”

At 21, he’s still at an age where careers can pivot dramatically. A consistent run at Gladbach could relaunch him as a central figure for both club and country. The Bundesliga remains one of Europe’s most fertile proving grounds for attacking players, and Gladbach’s track record — from Marco Reus to Lars Stindl — suggests Reyna will get his chance.

Pochettino’s Perspective: A Fresh Start for the USMNT

The decision to leave Reyna out of September’s U.S. friendlies says less about his talent and more about Mauricio Pochettino’s philosophy. The new U.S. boss, appointed after Gregg Berhalter’s departure, has emphasized fitness, form, and accountability in his selections.

Reyna, with no preseason and no competitive minutes yet this season, was always going to struggle to make the cut. Pochettino is building toward the 2026 World Cup on home soil, and his message is clear: reputations don’t guarantee places.

For Reyna, that could be a blessing in disguise. Rather than being rushed back, he has time to prove himself at club level first. A strong autumn with Gladbach could force Pochettino’s hand when the next international window rolls around.

Did You Know?

• Reyna joined Dortmund at 16, following in the footsteps of American stars like Christian Pulisic.

• He is the son of Claudio Reyna, the former U.S. captain, and Danielle Egan Reyna, a former U.S. women’s international. Football quite literally runs in the family.

• Despite limited minutes at Dortmund, Reyna still produced flashes of brilliance — including clutch goals in tight Bundesliga matches during the 2022–23 season.

• He was strongly linked with a move to Serie A side Parma earlier this summer, but the deal collapsed before Gladbach swooped.

A Career at a Crossroads

Every young player faces pivotal moments, but for Reyna, the stakes feel particularly high.

• At club level, he must re-establish himself not just as a rotation option, but as a week-in, week-out starter.

• At international level, he faces the challenge of forcing his way back into a U.S. side that has never been deeper in attacking midfield options, from Giovanni Reyna’s Dortmund teammate Gio Reyna—oh wait scratch (we will avoid tautology) (Oops, I’d revise: from Brenden Aaronson to Weston McKennie and Christian Pulisic).

• And personally, he must prove his body can withstand the rigors of a full European season after years of stop-start campaigns.

The timing is both daunting and exciting. The countdown to the 2026 World Cup has already begun. For a player of Reyna’s talent, missing that stage would be unthinkable.

What Next for Gio Reyna?

Reyna BVB

All eyes now turn to Gladbach. Their next test comes against Stuttgart on Saturday, though it remains uncertain whether Reyna will be fit and available for selection so soon after completing his move. Even if he starts on the bench, the long-term goal is clear: steady minutes, consistent performances, and rediscovered confidence.

For Reyna, the U.S. exclusion isn’t the end of the story. It’s a reminder of the work ahead. As he himself admitted, “Of course I want to be back in, but I know that’s only possible with playing time and performing well.”

That honesty may be his greatest strength right now. There are no shortcuts. Just football, fitness, and focus.

Final Thoughts: Patience and Potential

Gio Reyna’s career has always carried a weight of expectation, but his story is far from written. Yes, he has stumbled. Yes, the last two seasons have been marred by frustration and inconsistency. But at 21, he has time on his side — and, perhaps more importantly, a clear-headed understanding of what it will take to get back.

A fresh chapter at Monchengladbach, guided by the urgency of a looming World Cup on home soil, could be exactly what he needs. For now, the message is simple: no surprise, no shortcuts, just hard work. And if Reyna can rise to that challenge, the U.S. may yet have their creative spark ready to shine on the biggest stage of all.