Why did Mauricio Pochettino reportedly risk a USMNT World Cup spot on Gio Reyna?
SkimNews Take
Pochettino's repeated selection of Reyna, despite limited club minutes, suggests a strategic prioritization of specific, high-ceiling individual talent over consistent club form when building a tournament squad.
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- Gio Reyna will be selected for his second consecutive World Cup with the USMNT, despite playing only 510 Bundesliga minutes this season.
- Mauricio Pochettino said players need to be playing well for their clubs to be considered for the USMNT, yet he still chose Reyna, who ranks 19th in minutes among 26 American players in top five European leagues.
- Gio Reyna scored a header against Paraguay in September 2025, a performance cited as evidence of his ability to contribute in key moments.
- Gio Reyna has publicly said he is willing to accept a bench role for the USMNT, indicating maturity and willingness to contribute in any capacity.
- Gio Reyna's 2022 benching controversy, involving his parents' accusations against Gregg Berhalter, has been largely resolved, and he now focuses on the upcoming friendlies against Germany and Senegal.
Why it matters: USMNT gains a versatile attacker who can lift the squad’s offensive ceiling, while Reyna’s market value rises as he gets World Cup exposure; Pochettino’s credibility hinges on Reyna’s performance in the tournament.