A shift in Mauricio Pochettino’s policy has secured Gio Reyna’s place in the USMNT camp despite a lack of minutes in the Bundesliga
Mauricio Pochettino appears to have made an exception from his rigid roster requirements in the case of Gio Reyna, choosing to prioritise the individual’s ability over performance at club level as the United States men’s national team enter their final evaluation phase.
Gio Reyna, who has struggled to find the pitch for Borussia Mönchengladbach, finds himself in the USMNT squad despite having struggled for minutes in the Bundesliga this season.
While many expected the new manager to enforce a strict play-to-play mandate, Pochettino has instead embraced a more nuanced approach, describing the assembly of a world-class squad as an art rather than a bureaucratic exercise.
Reyna has seen just 28 minutes of game time over the last three months, yet this administrative flexibility represents a critical lifeline for the former Nottingham Forest midfielder as he seeks to secure a definitive role in the upcoming World Cup.
The young midfielder arrived in Atlanta this week as part of a 27-man roster tasked with facing Belgium and Portugal in a pair of challenging friendlies.
Despite his lack of rhythm in the Bundesliga, Reyna remains confident in his ability to translate his technical skills to the international stage.
“It’s always easier when you’re playing week in and week out. My case is not like that,” Reyna said after being called up.
“[I am] fortunate and of course always honoured and happy to be back in with the coach’s trust. If the opportunity comes up, I still feel very prepared to make an impact this camp on the field.”
Strategic utility overcomes the bench-ridden reality of club football
The decision to retain Reyna is a calculated gamble by Pochettino, who had previously voiced a strong preference for players involved in regular competition.
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In November 2024, the coach was quoted as saying, “We need them to be involved in the competition in their clubs.”
However, the reality of managing a pool of unique talents has forced a softening of that stance. Pochettino now argues that a player’s specific contribution to the collective can outweigh their weekly statistics in domestic leagues.
“Gio was fantastic in November with us,” Pochettino explained last week. “We really know that he’s a very special talent and very special player and I think to give the possibility, even if he’s not playing too much in his club, he can be very useful for us.”
He further elaborated on his refined philosophy, noting, “It’s an art because every single player is different and can add different things to the team.
“We cannot follow some rule, because I think it’s not fair to judge all in the same way. I think the most important is what the player can add to the team and if it can be the right player to help to perform, the team.”
This professional bond stands in stark contrast to the friction that defined Reyna’s previous World Cup cycle.
Under the leadership of former coach Gregg Berhalter, Reyna was nearly dismissed from the 2022 squad in Qatar following allegations of poor effort in training.
Since Mauricio Pochettino took the reins in September 2024, the relationship between the star and the sideline has stabilised into one of mutual respect and open communication.
“Me and Mauricio have a great relationship, speak often,” Reyna remarked, reflecting on the change in culture. “I guess you could say it was sort of one of his more difficult decisions, or I guess controversial decisions to maybe bring me in. Again, can’t appreciate it enough, love this team, love this staff, love this group of people.”