Gio Reyna Joins USMNT Camp Despite Limited Club Play

In Atlanta, midfielder Gio Reyna has joined the United States men's national team camp for upcoming friendlies against Belgium on Saturday and Portugal on Tuesday, despite logging just 26 minutes of playing time this season for Borussia Mönchengladbach. The 23-year-old, son of former U.S. captain Claudio Reyna, represents a notable exception to coach Mauricio Pochettino's emphasis on regular club minutes as a prerequisite for national team selection ahead of this summer's World Cup.

Reyna's limited action stems from persistent injuries, including groin, thigh and unspecified muscle issues that have sidelined him since late January. He has appeared in 13 Bundesliga matches this season, with only two cameos since the start of the year, following a transfer to Mönchengladbach last summer from Borussia Dortmund. There, he had made just 14 league starts over his previous four seasons, plus two during a 2024 loan to Nottingham Forest. Despite the challenges, Reyna expressed gratitude for the opportunity during a news conference Thursday. "It's always easier when you're playing week in and week out. My case is not like that," he said. "Fortunate and, of course, always honored and...