Gio Reyna is pleased that Mauricio Pochettino is not using lack of Bundesliga minutes as an excuse as the US manager prepares for the final two friendlies before selecting his World Cup squad.
Reina is one of 27 players in camp ahead of Saturday’s game against Belgium and Tuesday’s game against Portugal. The 23-year-old midfielder, the son of former US captain Claudio Reyna, has only appeared on the field for 28 minutes in the past three months for Borussia Mönchengladbach.
“Anytime you’re playing week in and week out, it’s easy. That’s not the case for me,” Reyna said during an online press conference Thursday. “Of course, I’m always honored and happy to be back in the confidence of my coach. I feel ready to make an impact on the field this camp if the opportunity arises.”
Pochettino stressed the importance of getting regular playing time at the club after he takes over as the U.S. national team manager at the end of 2024.
“We need them to compete in the club,” he said in November of the same year.
Reina Moved to Gladbach last summer In his final four seasons with Borussia Dortmund, he started just 14 league games, plus two appearances during a loan spell with Nottingham Forest in England. In the Bundesliga this season, he only started once and made five substitute appearances. Reyna played in two U.S. friendlies in November..
Reyna scores in first international start in 16 months He has scored 9 goals for his national team, surpassing his father, and in the game against Paraguay, he set up Folarin Balogun’s equalizing goal and won 2-1.
After coming on as a substitute in the second half Lost 5-1 against UruguayReyna returned to the club and started four games, but then suffered an unknown muscle injury.
Reyna has not appeared in a game since Jan. 11, when he played six minutes and played another 22 minutes on Jan. 17. Gladbach announced on January 25 that he was injured. unspecified muscle damage Reyna returned for the game on February 28, but has not appeared as a substitute in four consecutive games.
still, Pochettino reinstated him into the national team For these two games in Atlanta.
“Gio was great with us in November,” Pochettino said last week. “We really know he’s a very special talent and a very special player. And we think he could be very useful to us, even if he hasn’t played much for the club.”
Pochettino no longer demands playing time at the club in all situations.
“It’s an art because each player is different and can add something different to the team,” he said. “We can’t follow any rules because I don’t think it’s fair to judge everyone the same way. … I think the most important thing is what the player can add to the team and whether he’s the right player to help the team perform.”
Reyna’s parents were nearly sent home from the 2022 World Cup by then-coach Gregg Berhalter for lack of training effort. Contact U.S. Soccer Federation about domestic violence allegations from 30 years ago It involves Berhalter and the woman who later became his wife. The USSF investigation concluded that Berhalter Did not unreasonably withhold informationand Berhalter has been rehired just become fired rear 2024 Copa America 1st round loss.
Pochettino was appointed in September of the same year.
“Mauricio and I have a great relationship and we talk a lot,” Reyna said. “I would say this was one of his more difficult decisions and maybe a controversial decision to bring me in. Again, I can’t thank you enough. I love this team, I love this staff, I love this group.”
“I feel like I’m ready regardless of my playing time situation at the club,” he added. “So, if I get a chance in the next two games, I’m confident that I can do something good for myself and the team and make a contribution.”
What lies ahead for the US team?
After the 26-man World Cup roster is announced on May 26, the United States will play Senegal on May 31 in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Germany on June 6 in Chicago.
The United States opens its second World Cup on June 12 at home against Paraguay in Inglewood, Calif., before playing Australia a week later in Seattle. The U.S.’s opponents in the final round of Group D were narrowed down Thursday to either Turkey or Kosovo, which they will play on Tuesday for a spot in the World Cup. In the playoff semifinals, Turkey defeated Romania 1-0, and Kosovo defeated Slovakia 4-3.
___
AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
