He maybe but he makes the ball go fast and into good spots. It will be one of the big secondary stories to see what the team gets out of him. For him it's his redemption tour. Will he take advantage?
Sure, and he always has but he's either never fit or his (multiple) club coaches just won't play him. "Getting the best out of him" requires meaningful PT and for a guy with his footballing skills and soccer IQ, 20-25 minutes off the bench would be enough to have an impact - if he is physically fit and match fit. This is the last chance saloon for him to show he belongs in the Top 5, never mind the business end of it. He has to take advantage and I'll be delighted to eat humble pie if he does
The Athletic piece from last year showed how Reyna’s sprint speed sadly dropped over the years: Checking Reyna’s 25-26 stats from Bundesliga.com? His max speed for this season is 30.7 km/h.
'Things have changed' - Gio Reyna is ready to tell a new story as USMNT star looks to leave old questions behind at the 2026 World Cup | Goal.com US
No one has benefited more from Poch-love than Gio. Not even saying it's misplaced, but I think for "current club performance" vs. "how much attention/minutes Poch gives a player" Gio is the top dawg.
May feel it's necessary to rebuild some self belief. Sure seems he could have had more minutes the last few years even without starts.
Still time for his parents to ruin the moment! seriously tho, I'm thrilled for him. Poch could easily have left him off for Luna or another more "well rounded" middie/hybrid attacker, and it's lovely to see the coach's faith (and Gio's plugging) rewarded. I fully endorse that particular redemption arc. I know this isn't the thread for it, but the particular irony of the Reyna Jr. and Beerholder Jr. sharing the field for that win is also a nice bit of writing.
Wait. That he has serious ability has never been in doubt. What's been in question is his fitness and mindset when it comes to the gritty daily grind at club level. Until that changes, this thread will be the same as it has been for another 4 years. And if it does change there'll be no need to apologize, just say "congratulations on turning things around. More please."
This is how I feel. I was waiting for someone to come on here and demand that everyone whoever criticized Gio should publicly eat crow - luckily, no one has quite gone there….yet. I’m ecstatic over his goal and performance v Paraguay and have always been rooting for him, which is why I have been disappointed and critical of his club career, and grown tired of some of those in the past who constantly claimed nothing is ever his fault. While also wondering aloud about his true fitness and perceived reduction in speed. But my tune has stayed the same for much of the past 4 years. Extremely talented, great football brain, who could excel at the club level with the right situation and the right mindset. Still much work ahead for him in that regard, if that is what he truly wants. if he just wants to be a Jaimes Rodriguez type that is mediocre for club but is brilliant at national team level, I’ll continue cheering him on in the US shirt and hope that goals like last night keep coming. But I’ll just remain sad and disappointed that he did not reach his potential In Europe.
As has been said by others in the US forums just think of him as the American James Rodriguez at this point.
Fair and true. But a cynic could also paint that as he only wants to go to work 2-3 months a year haha. But regardless, I am happy he contributues for the Nats, which truthfully is the whole reason for my attention to our guys in Euro leagues - my end game is always how does it benefit our reputation and our national team/game.
I'll just say if we could keep Canadians from breaking his leg it would help a lot. Many player's careers are over after horrific fouls like that. We've had a few and Stuart Holden comes to mind.
Only Holden never recovered fitness from his leg break. Reyna, supposedly has, enough to pass 2 transfer medicals and get a contract extension in the meantime. In other words, his leg is plenty good enough for him to play Top 5 football. The problem lies elsewhere.
Giovanni #Reyna is ready to leave #Gladbach in the summer transfer window. #transfers— Nicolò Schira (@NicoSchira) June 18, 2026
You're guessing as am I about his leg break and recovery. My guess is it has affected him as he recovers it caused other injuries as he overused other muscles and tendons. He does seem to be getting fitter recently. It may just be it takes a long time to get over such a severe injury. Charlie Davies was never the same after his car wreck etc.
I think everyone knew this was happening, even by Christmas. Still, good to have a source/post shared, thanks. If he continues to shine in the WC, he may have more suitors in the top 4 leagues. But with his current CLUB resume, one has to guess he is likely headed to MLS.
Pegausus, with all due respect, you have brought up the broken hariline fracture for Gio before. It is certainly not an injury to scoff at, but I don't think it is some pivotal , career-defining moment you make it out to be. Gio was struggling with soft tissue injuries off and on prior to the leg break, and his situation at club was already starting to come into question. It is not really comparable to the severity of the Holden horror tackle (I will never forgive that prick Johnny Evans), or the Charlie Davis car crash - both of who were shining and on top of the world at those moments. Like you said, none of us know for sure on any of these injuries and recoveries behind the scenes. But I don't think that specific injury kept him from reaching the once-dreamed-of heights of Man City, Real Madrid, etc. Right or wrong, there were questions of fitness, mentality, etc well before the NL game vs Canada. I will say this; yet another injury on Nat duty sure did piss off Dortmund, so who knows if they were just fed up after that.