Assessing Gio Reyna's inclusion on the latest USMNT roster, Charlie Davies and Jimmy Conrad both say his talent ultimately led to U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino selecting the Gladbach midfielder for the November squad, despite limited action this season. However, both former USMNT players questioned whether he will be a fit.
Getty Images SportUnique talent
Davies pointed to Reyna's unique playmaking skill as a reason why Pochettino was compelled to give him a shot in the November camp.Ā
"There isnāt another player who has his creative genius on the ball," Davies said on the Call It What You Want podcast. "When heās fit and when heās confident, there isnāt another player who possesses his quality on the ball, breaks down lines with his passing. His instincts are phenomenal. On the ball dribbling. Again, itās been in spurts – itās never been consistent.Ā
"I think Pochettino is looking at this as 'It's worth taking a flier on' because heās finally back in training and healthy. [Heās] not playing in the amount of matches you would need to be really given a call up, but I think heās saying, āIām going to test him.ā"
Reyna has made 32 appearances for the U.S., scoring eight goals. His strong efforts with the USMNT at the 2023-24 Nations League Finals led him to be named Player of the Tournament.
AdvertisementAFPFinding a fit
Pochettino recently switched to a system that features two attacking midfielders under a striker. Davies says that could be an ideal fit for Reyna.Ā
"Maybe it's a substitution role in the World Cup, where weāre playing against a team in the low block. Maybe itās against a team with a lead and theyāre defendingā¦.A nd now we need someone who comes in to unlock teams, unbalance teams, Gio Reynaās your guy," Davies said. "Iām talking underneath the striker, where he saw him thrive before the injury."
Getty Images SportCulture concerns
While Reynaās talent remains enticing for the USMNT, both Davies and Conrad voiced concerns about the midfielderās fit within the dressing room.
āThatās where we are with Gio," Davies said. "If thereās any negative, because Pochettino is trying to figure out if this guy is worth bringing to camp, if heās not a starter, will he take away anything from the groupās aura? The groupās positivity? The groupās environment? Will he be a negative in the situation? I need everyone in this damn camp to say, āI will do whatever it takes. I will run through a wall for my team, for my country. Iām so happy to be here, no matter what role Iām in.'"
Davies added that heās spoken with several players who believe Reyna has grown since his 2022 World Cup controversy.
āFrom that moment to now, Iāve talked to a number of players and theyāve all said Gio is different from that moment as a person. Heās not that guy anymore,ā Davies said.
Conrad, however, cautioned that Reynaās recent comments – in which he deflected some responsibility for that incident in 2022 – raise concerns.
āYes, maybe heās grown, but by how much?ā he said.
Looking ahead
The U.S. kick off their final two matches of 2025 with a match against Paraguay on Nov. 15, and will then play Uruguay on Nov. 18.
