Gio Reyna skipping MLS could be a costly career mistake

When James Rodríguez finally appeared for Minnesota United last weekend, the moment felt like a reminder: elite talent can show up even after a messy run of setbacks. Rodríguez, whose season with the Loons has been punctuated by visa delays, fitness interruptions and a frightening bout of dehydration, delivered two assists in a 2-2 draw with Austin FC — a brief but vivid showcase of the shooting and passing quality that kept him on Colombia’s radar for the World Cup.

That flash of class raises an unavoidable comparison for U.S. soccer fans: what might have been if Gio Reyna had chosen a different path this year. Reyna has the kind of finesse on the ball few American players possess, yet his club situation in Germany has left more questions than answers heading into the most consequential World Cup cycle the United States has seen.

Why Reyna’s club choice matters for the U.S. World Cup plan

At his best, Gio Reyna is a creative hub — a player who can unlock defenses with one touch or a well-weighted pass. But modern international managers must weigh individual brilliance against the practical demands of tournament football. For Mauricio Pochettino, selecting Reyna is less about potential and more about how much the player can be trusted to perform a specific tactical role.

If the plan is to build around a true No. 10 who gets the ball constantly, Reyna has the technical profile to make a difference. If the strategy requires a midfielder who contributes consistently off the ball — tracking runners, pressing opponents and protecting space — Reyna’s limitations become a larger concern.

MLS as a clearer audition: lower risk, higher control

Major League Soccer’s roster rules and single-entity structure make it an appealing laboratory for a player in Reyna’s position. A switch to MLS last summer would have offered:

• Regular starts in a less pressure-packed environment than a Bundesliga relegation battle.
• Opportunities to be the focal point of an attack, shaping a team’s tactics around his strengths.
• Close proximity to U.S. national team staff and familiar coaching voices — easing tactical continuity.

Putting Reyna in MLS wouldn’t have been risk-free, but it would have been a contained experiment. The worst realistic outcome would be one disappointing season and tactical adjustments afterward — not a relegation fight with existential club consequences.

Coaches in MLS who already know Reyna’s game

• Gregg Berhalter — worked with Reyna at the national-team level and now coaches Chicago Fire.
• B.J. Callaghan — familiar from U.S. setups, currently at Nashville SC.
• Nico Estevez — coached national-team sessions and now leads Austin FC.
• Mikey Varas — another ex-assistant who knows Reyna’s tendencies and is at San Diego.

Those relationships could have smoothed a transition and allowed a club to tailor tactical roles to maximize Reyna’s ball skills while managing his defensive responsibilities.

Why Borussia Mönchengladbach limited Reyna’s chances

Choosing to remain in Germany came with a sharp trade-off: competing in a team fighting to stay in the Bundesliga. When a club’s primary objective is survival, managers often prioritize work-rate, defensive balance and proven chemistry over nurturing a creative but inconsistent playmaker.

Reyna’s season statistics underline the problem: he totaled only 496 minutes across 18 appearances, a usage pattern that favors bench help over a central creative role. In a relegation fight, that kind of minute distribution typically prevents a young No. 10 from becoming the heartbeat of the side.

Playing-time realities in relegation battles

1. Managers tighten lineups to maximize defensive solidity.
2. Rotation favors experienced, two-way players over specialists.
3. Young attackers are often deployed sparingly to limit risk, which stunts development and momentum.

Pochettino’s selection dilemma: potential vs. tactical fit

Mauricio Pochettino is acutely aware of what Reyna can do with the ball. But World Cup rosters are finite, and each spot comes with an implicit tactical promise. The coach must decide whether Reyna will be used as a high-possession answer — a playmaker fed the ball repeatedly — or as a situational asset whose defensive shortcomings may limit minutes.

Reyna himself has publicly expressed reservations about his own case for the final roster, which suggests even the player recognizes the precariousness of his situation. For Pochettino, the calculus is straightforward: bring Reyna only if you can reliably hand him the ball often enough to neutralize his weaknesses off it. Otherwise, the roster spot might be better suited to someone with a more complete two-way profile.

Scenarios that could still reshape Reyna’s World Cup role

• Last-minute training camp breakthroughs: a strong showing in national-team sessions could tip the balance.
• Injury or tactical shifts among selected midfielders could open playing time tailored to Reyna’s strengths.
• A decision to deploy Reyna in highly specific offensive windows — short bursts to change a game’s tempo — rather than as a full-match No. 10.

All of those possibilities remain in play heading into the tournament, but the clarity that a season as a focal point — like an MLS spell would have offered — might have answered many questions ahead of time.

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John Davis

John Davis is a sports journalist focused on the NBA, NFL, and major global championships. With seven years of live coverage, he breaks down performances and key strategies. His expertise gives you a clear view of every game and its impact.