Gio Reyna has broken a frustrating 16-month goal drought for Borussia Mönchengladbach, striking against Augsburg in a Bundesliga fixture on Saturday. The American midfielder's clinical finish provided welcome relief after an extended spell without a club goal, though his side fell to a 3-1 defeat. The 23-year-old now turns focus toward the 2026 World Cup, with squad announcements expected on May 26 under new USMNT boss Mauricio Pochettino.
Reyna glided into the box to meet a pass from Rocco Reitz and converted with a first-time finish—his first goal since departing Borussia Dortmund in January 2025. Despite the loss, the personal milestone carried significance for a player battling consistency issues at club level. "It's been a little while but in the end I'm just happy to score," Reyna told reporters. "More than that it was good to get a good chunk of minutes and I felt like I had a pretty good performance overall." The midfielder remains a key player for the national team despite playing limited minutes domestically, having not completed a full 90-minute league match in four years—a stark reminder of his injury struggles.
World Cup Ambitions and the Pochettino Era
When pressed about his World Cup credentials, Reyna acknowledged the delicate balance required in his response. "If I say no, I'm not backing myself. And if I say yes, it's the arrogant answer where I feel like I should be there," he explained. The midfielder emphasized his desire to represent his country: "I love the staff. I love the players. I love the national team. Obviously whatever happens, happens. Really hoping and wanting to be there to make an impact and achieve something great with the team, but the decision is out of my hands."
Reyna carries significant domestic pedigree—his father Claudio Reyna captained the USMNT at two World Cups—making a selection an honor he deeply values. His 2022 Qatar campaign was overshadowed by conflict with former manager Gregg Berhalter, resulting in limited playing time. The forward has made no secret that the 2026 tournament represents his primary objective since moving to Gladbach, viewing it as a chance to rewrite the narrative. With Pochettino's arrival marking a new chapter, Reyna has an opportunity to prove his worth before the squad is finalized in May.
