Charlie Davies on Gio Reyna’s Inclusion in USMNT
Charlie Davies and Jimmy Conrad discussed Gio Reyna’s call-up to the latest USMNT roster, attributing his selection to head coach Mauricio Pochettino’s belief in the midfielder’s exceptional talent despite Reyna’s limited playing time this season.
Reyna’s Playmaking Genius
Davies highlighted Reyna’s unique ability as a playmaker, explaining why Pochettino took a chance on him for the November camp.
“There isn’t another player who has his creative genius on the ball. When he’s fit and confident, there isn’t another player who possesses his quality on the ball, breaks down lines with his passing. Again, it’s been in spurts - it’s never been consistent.”
Davies added that Pochettino is willing to test Reyna because he has recently returned to training and looks healthy, even though he hasn’t had enough minutes this season to demand a call-up based on form alone.
“I think Pochettino is looking at this as 'It's worth taking a flier on' because he’s finally back in training and healthy. [He’s] not playing in the amount of matches you would need to be really given a call up, but I think he’s saying, ‘I’m going to test him.’”
Reyna’s Track Record and Role in the Team
- Reyna has appeared 32 times for the U.S. national team, scoring eight goals.
- He was named Player of the Tournament at the 2023-24 Nations League Finals due to his outstanding performances.
- Pochettino has recently adopted a system featuring two attacking midfielders behind a striker.
Davies believes this formation might suit Reyna well, suggesting he could be an effective substitution option during the World Cup, especially against defensively organized teams.
“Maybe it's a substitution role in the World Cup, where we’re playing against a team in the low block.”
Author's Summary
Despite limited game time, Gio Reyna’s creative skills and recent fitness convince Pochettino to test him in the USMNT’s evolving system, possibly as a tactical substitution in key matches.