The biggest question leading up to the announcement of the United States’ World Cup roster apparently was answered on Friday when The Athletic reported that Gio Reyna made the squad.
Reyna, 23, is a skillful playmaker, but his extensive injury history, lack of form at the club level and past attitude issues with the national team make him a controversial choice by coach Mauricio Pochettino.
In the current season, Reyna made only four starts and appeared in just 19 games for Borussia Monchengladbach. He managed just one goal and no assists.
He played the prior six seasons for Borussia Dortmund in Germany (along with a brief loan spell with Nottingham Forest in England). After starting 23 times and logging four goals and five assists for Dortmund in 2020-21, Reyna saw his playing time greatly limited due to injuries in ensuing years.
Reyna has nine goals in 36 games for the U.S. men’s national team, but his greatest domestic fame might have come as a result of his lack of playing time at the 2022 World Cup. He reportedly was nearly kicked off the squad due to his reaction to being a reserve.
The other big surprise regarding the reported U.S. roster is the absence of Real Salt Lake midfielder Diego Luna. In 18 national-team appearances, the 22-year-old has four goals. He is known for his gritty approach, personified by him staying in a friendly last year against Costa Rica despite breaking his nose.
Players who were on the bubble but did make the U.S. squad, according the report, were Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Turner, Toulouse (France) center back Mark McKenzie and Leeds United (England) winger Brenden Aaronson.
Berhalter, 25, is the son of ex-USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter.
Pochettino is scheduled to reveal the 26-man roster at a Tuesday event in New York.
–Field Level Media
