Oh, buddy. Claiming that a player who is rarely fit is our best player is an unprovable claim that relies on the lack of evidence. It is precisely because Gio can't stay fit that he is an eligible candidate for "best player! highest ceiling!" Welcome to BigSoccer!
I get what you'r saying...staying on the field is a skill in itself But I can say I was in-person at the USMNt Saudi match - and it was clear to me that Gio is just different (in a good way)...absolute best? debateable.... for me, he is the one single player that will determine the overall team success in Qatar imo. If he has a great WC this team can do anything....without him...gonna be tough imo.
You can tell that Gio and Bellingham are on the same page. Just toying with their opponents. Jude is joy to watch and a future World XI player. If Gio can move past his muscle issues I’d love to see them at a mega club together.
They'd be saving him for a potentially glorious 15-year career, in which he could play for the biggest clubs in Europe, make enough money for several lifetimes, become the best American male soccer player ever, and generally fulfill the promise of his talent instead of leaving a disappointed-for-the-rest-of-his-life Gio to wonder what could have been. And, yes, play in several other World Cups. That is, not unreasonably, the hope for a young player of his obvious talent. It's not a small amount to risk! And you absolutely are putting him at risk if you ask him to play every 4th day in the world's most intense soccer competition after failing to stay consistently healthy for 18 months. And it's more than enough to decide he should play 120 minutes in games 1 and 3 while resting in between. If it were, say, the Gold Cup, you wouldn't bring him at all. But you can balance the needs of this competition with Reyna's long-term future. One last thought: The calculation might be a little different if the USMNT had a legitimate chance to win the World Cup. They don't. And so you're, what, risking Reyna's future so they can make ... the knock-out round? The quarters? And ahead of what might be the most important World Cup in the history of the USMNT?
the top 11 players.....the full USMNT has played ZERO minutes together....ceiling is unlimited. it doesnt seem like it is now...but it is. it is possible that it clicks in qatar but i understand why that doesnt seem likely. I just fundamentally disagree that playing him every game in this World Cup would somehow jeopardize him long-term. short term? maybe long term? no what about next year...? why would waiting until then to play him fullt time not jeopardize anything? but now would??? an injury can happen anytime..... so what ....? will he always be on a minutes restriction? dortmund's investment and timeline for selling him is really the only thing that is in jeopardy imo....which, imo, is immaterial to gio's career..... blowing up in this World Cup could do more for his career than almost any other accomplshment...and it is possible. .
If he can get the physical part put together and start turning his tantrums into focus that he carries with him onto the practice field, you’re looking at one of the top players in the world. If he can’t get those two things going for him, he’ll still be very good.
I agree with your take that Gio is supremely talented and that his presence in the US lineup makes a huge difference. However, I think you’re ignoring the fact that he may not be where he needs to be from an endurance standpoint. He did some nice things in his minutes in the last match but was clearly gassed by the end. He has another month to gain fitness but it’s highly doubtful he’ll be in a place where he can go 90 for club or country in the next 4-5 weeks. More like January.
In the end neither Dortmund or the USMNT wants Reyna to get injured again. Both parties want to see him starting, but are also going to be very careful with him. That means Dortmund is very much going to ease him back into big minutes. And it means that the USMNT is going to figure out his minutes limit very much in consultation with Dortmund.
you're telling me in 1 month's time he's not going to be 90 minutes fit? I am not buying what youre selling
We are both equally uninformed as to his training regime at this time. My assumption is that BvB is not only managing his game time but also his training load. He is young and can gain fitness relatively quickly but he was visibly gassed in what ~20 mins in Wednesday’s match? I’m not a BvB fan but support their cautious, long term approach as I think it also benefits the USMNT and most importantly Gio Reyna. As a US fan, give me 30 solid minutes of Gio in 2-3 WC matches and I’ll take it if it means he remains healthy.
I think that there is a reasonable question as to whether or not he has ever been 90 minutes fit, which would make the expectation that he be 90 minutes fit in a month without doing it in games for an extended period rather unreasonable. Even though Berhalter is basically his uncle and may want to give him starts, I could see the national team playing him as a sub for the duration of the World Cup so as to preserve him.
he played the full 90 in 6 straight bundesliga weeks the winter of 20-21 USA is such a fear-based society IMO If Gio is so delicate he can't even start a match then he shouldn't be playing the game. He needs to start and start every WC game. He's the first name I am writing on the team sheet if I am GGGGGGGGGG
He's played 90 minutes once in the last calendar year (and 87 minutes back in August of 2021). BVB was ramping up his minutes this season and then as soon as he played more than a half he got injured...again. If he's good for 90 in 4 weeks then he'll play some 90s. But that seems extremely unlikely.
yeah I mean obviously if he simply is not fit he shouldnt play 90 I'm just saying if he IS 90 minute fit....he shouldnt be pre-emptively kept on the bench
I am well aware, lmao. I suppose I don’t consider myself a “real” fan in the sense that you’re a fan. More of a casual fan because of the Yank contingent. I can’t stand Bayern though so maybe I am a BvB fan?
Dude there are reasons why players who aren’t getting 90 minutes aren’t getting 90 minutes. It just so happens that this particular player who we all love and enjoy, has been virtually incapable of getting 90 minutes for TWO ENTIRE YEARS PLUS of his TWO ENTIRE YEARS PLUS year career because he has fitness problems. You touted a 6 game run two years ago, which is absolutely nothing in the grand scheme of his career. It makes zero sense to take the position you are taking on this issue. Aaron Long had a devastating, potentially career-ending injury, yet he is a 90 minute guy all the time. Same with Paul Arriola. What is the difference between players who have career ending injuries and return vs. someone who has constant injury issues at a young age?