Gio Reyna, U.S. soccer player, on playing for Team USA at the World Cup: “It could be the peak and mountain top of our careers”
The Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder hopes to be in the coach’s plans for what would be his second World Cup: “It’s hard to put into words what it would mean”.
It hasn’t been an easy season for Gio Reyna - right from the opening day of the Bundesliga and up until now, he has struggled with various fitness issues and injuries.
Gio has made just 13 appearances out of a possible 30 for Borussia Mönchengladbach during the current campaign, and has not completed a full game.
After being omitted for practically all of last year’s commitments with the national team, Reyna was recalled last November for the friendlies against Paraguay and Uruguay. He played 75 minutes and scored the opening goal in the first game, and set up Tanner Tessmann in the half hour he was on the pitch in the 5-1 win over Uruguay.
USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino has enough faith in the midfielder to have included him in his 27-man roster for this month’s World Cup warm-up matches against Portugal and Belgium. Whether Reyna will make the final cut of 26 players who will be at the World Cup is another matter but the player says is optimistic about his chances of starring in his second World Cup.
Life in the Bundesliga
“I’m good, just here in Germany, enjoying life - new club, and new environment so just trying to stay busy and enjoy it over here,” Reyna explained this week.
As for being part of the USMNT roster playing at a World Cup on home soil, the Mönchengladbach midfielder is keeping his hopes up. “Yeah, it really would mean everything. This could be the peak and mountain top of all of our careers. So it’s something I definitely want to be a part of. I need to keep working the next months to make sure that I’m there. I’m sure everybody has it in the back of their minds that they want to be there more than anyone else. But it’s something you dream of - you don’t get the opportunity to play a World Cup in your home country in front of the home fans and of course your family and friends... It’s hard to put into words what it would mean but it’s definitely a huge goal of mine".
Reyna’s chance to shine
Since making his senior debut for the USMNT in November 2020, Reyna has made 34 appearances at full international level and has made an impact when he has played. His figures are good - nine goals and six assists, the only worry is whether he can remain fit. A groin problem and thigh issue hampered his progress over the past couple of years but at least now he will get a chance to put his case forward in this month’s friendlies.
“I’m proud to be an American and a part of the country and the history we have. Obviously my dad being a former national team player too, so, just loving the game and loving my country too,” he explained. “This is where the dream came from. We just have to dig deep, give yourself a chance - a little bit of luck and hard work, belief in yourself and anything can really happen”.
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