I said it in the play by play thread and I'll say it again now. Gio is probably one of my absolute favorites on this team, but when you're holding on for dear life and protecting a one goal lead to move ahead, it doesn't scream sub in the 19-year-old attacker who likes to freelance and isn't the tidiest defender. I'd have preferred him to Aaronson at the half, but it's not a crazy call to prefer the guy who is getting 90 every week in the Premier League in a high-pressure game. He also deserves some minutes. Results are what matter and we're at least hitting par for this tournament now and while I like individual payers, I'm more concerned that the team is successful than if a specific player or two is featured more or less. We win one more game and we're tied for our best World Cup ever. That's way more important than if my favorite players get more minutes.
Can we please stop with the bring on Reyna. Just what would you have done with him in this game? The match situations drive the subs. The only complaint I would have today is using Wright over Ferreira. Wright's big body wasn't a bad move but he was too stagnant and could have used Ferreira's speed and pressing to cause problems with Iran trying to progress the ball forward.
I will say I was surprised Aaronson came off the bench and not Reyna. If Reyna is good to go Saturday and Pulisic can’t go, I think you have to start Reyna.
Lol. I'm sure, if you think about it for a moment, he was looking to add some calmness on the ball in a match where we needed goals. In the end, he brought him on as a 3rd CB to win all the long balls that Iran would pump into the box in desperation, and he did himself credit in that role. Moore and Acosta and Wright, not so much. Aaronson was ok. Once again, Berhalter's set up turned out to be quite correct, but his in-game adjustments were iffy. That said, losing Pulisic was bound to hurt when we needed some counterattacking firepower.
Saturday might be the real test of Gio's status. Pulisic possibly out. Musah and McKennie and Weah likely exhausted after today (and the last two games prior). If Gio's gonna play a big role, now is the time.
the hotel was ROWDY when we got back 🎉🎉🎉🎉 pic.twitter.com/xa5lBnDWO2— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) November 30, 2022
It's amazing how even regular sports fans in our society are asking where Gio Reyna is and when are we going to see him, from SportsCenter anchors to my mother.
I’m sure Gio is a good kid, but he needs to grow up a bit. He’s 20, so not a shock that he may show some immaturity sometimes.
Can we not extrapolate a random ass walk through a lobby into something more than it needs to be? I'm sure Gio wants to play. I'm sure he's happy we won, maybe a little bummed he didn't play, and perhaps a little less exuberant because he feels didn't contribute. This is all normal. Perhaps he was partying on the bus but feels a bit weird taking congrats when he didn't play. I know I did when I played. He's young, he's a bit cocky and whiny on the field, but seems like a good person off it. This kind of back and forth happens ALL the time on teams like this. Hell, listen to Berhalter talk about how pissed he was when he wasn't picked or was left off the WC roster. And look! There he is smiling and hugging Berhalter. Man, such an issue.
Gio smiled when Pulisic missed in the Champions League final. Maybe we should read less into his body language.
I liked how the referee blew the whistle on that last play which prevented any VAR review, my favorite referee ever.
I agree. I’m not going to read into that. I know I sound a little “get off my yawn” but I hardly see young people not wearing headphones or something of the sort. I’ve seen Reyna in interviews too. He doesn’t seem like the real animated, expressive type. That doesn’t mean he’s not part of the team. My only complaints with him is sometimes I’ve seen him not go 110% on the field. That’s a young player mistake. He’s got to become more disciplined in his game.
You hardly see young people not wearing headphones? When they are hanging with friends and celebrating? How many young people do you see? It’s generally considered rude to wear headphones in a social situation. The signal is “don’t talk to me.” Signed, A Former Young Person