Included in Borussia Dortmund’s preseason roster and having played nine minutes in Dortmund’s first Bundesliga game, Reyna has been assigned the role of an off-the-bench spark plug. He actually excelled in this role during the 2022/23 season, scoring 7 goals in 30 matches.

Reyna’s struggle to maintain a starting position has frustrated both Dortmund fans and USMNT supporters, despite his flashes of brilliance. With players like Julian Brandt and Marcel Sabitzer on the team, Reyna will need to make the most of his opportunities, according to Borussia Dortmund’s sporting director, Sebastian Kehl.

Gio Reyna’s role at Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl told BILD exactly where he sees Reyna at the start of this season: “He has to accept his role, free himself from it. It was clear when we had the talks in the summer that Gio wanted to take on this role.

“There will be enough games in which we need it. We know he has exceptional abilities. He worked on himself, on stability, and on radiance. His clever movement between the lines and goal threat—he has further developed these. Gio can still become very important for us this season. There are no other thoughts. There is nothing on the table, and I don’t sense that the player wants to leave.”

Reyna’s time in the Premier League was disappointing, featuring in only 9 matches for Nottingham Forest with just one assist. After an uneventful Copa America this summer, Reyna faces a crucial period to prove himself. Despite his talent, he has struggled with consistency and living up to the sometimes unrealistic hype from USMNT pundits.

Reyna’s numbers at Borussia Dortmund are healthy and optimistic at only 21 the midfielder has played in 122 games with 17 goals and 17 assists.

Turner played only 20 games during the season, but did not leave a good impression. Gio Reyna, on the other hand, came to the club in January after a much-publicized cry for playing time from his camp. Reyna’s loan to the Premier League club proved uneventful, as the talented but stalled American midfielder played only nine games, failing to play in the final three games of the season.

Looking ahead to the Copa America, the tournament could be a coming-out party for Gio Reyna, who, despite having an impactful end with Dortmund two seasons ago, needs to get his club career back on track. For Turner, who spoke about how Reyna improved and learned from his stint at Forest, a good tournament can also mean regaining notoriety to start for Forest or move on as well.

Matt Turner on Gio Reyna’s Premier League Growing Pains

Turner stated, “With Gio, no experience is a bad experience. He came to training every single day with a good attitude. I think you guys saw that. After he came in January, maybe it wasn’t going the best in the beginning for him at Forest, and then he showed up and got player of the tournament at Nations League.

“He’s working really hard, he is in the form that we all expect him to be. He brings a quality to training every time he steps out there. And he’s really matured a lot. I’ve watched him grow up a little bit, be on his own, a new experience away from sort of his boyhood club as well. Make connections with new guys and it’s been really fun to see him grow on and off the pitch, and get that Premier League experience as well under his belt.”

For Gio Reyna, US Soccer fans are still waiting for his ultimate coming-out party, to truly live up to the high expectations that have been placed on the talented American who at one moment had AC Milan and Real Madrid interested in his services.

The Copa America can finally be the stepping stone for a club to truly appreciate the talent Reyna has and get his club career going again.

Fast forward to January and Reyna, who is now a client of super-agent Jorge Mendes, and his father Claudio Reyna went to Dortmund to find out what’s the future of his son at the German club, came to the conclusion that a move away from Dortmund is the right path.

Now various reports out of Italy are reporting that Fiorentina have stepped in and are “very serious” about signing the 21-year-old American on loan for the remainder of the season.

Gio Reyna to Serie A?

According to Luca Cilli, Fiorentina has contacted Reyna and Dortmund and is one of the main targets for La Viola. Unlike Reyna’s other suitors, Sevilla and Nottingham Forest, Fiorentina are sixth in Serie A, and it would be a move to a club that needs help but is at least fighting for European positions.

Marseille is also interested in Reyna, but France does not seem to be a priority option for the Reyna camp.

Edin Terzić on Gio Reyna

Edin Terzić stated to the media when asked about Reyna’s lack of playing time, “Gio is a fantastic player. Of course, he’s not happy when he’s not playing. You could see that Gio is capable of influencing the game from the bench.

“He was very confident on the ball, managed to create a few dangerous situations, but was a bit unlucky with his finishing in one or two situations” after playing in Borussia Dortmund’s last match against VfL Bochum.

At Borussia Dortmund, injuries and coaching preference has left the talented player on the bench currently and with no real opportunity to gain a starting position. Still despite all of that Gio Reyna has amassed 108 games for the Yellow and Black with 17 goals having a stellar end of last season in the Bundesliga in a limited role.

On the USMNT, Reyna has 4 goals in 20 caps and has captured two continental titles with the Stars and Stripes. In a 2020 article that Reyna penned for the Players’ Tribune Football, Reyna revealed a special place Argentine soccer star Sergio Agüero has in his heart, and it has to do with his brother Jack who passed away from cancer in 2012.

Why Gio Reyna looks up to Sergio Agüero

In the Players’ Tribune Football Reyna wrote, “One of these days I really need to say thank you to Sergio Agüero.

For a long time, I have been like, I need to play against this guy, just so that I can talk to him. Not just because my grandfather is Argentine, or because Sergio is one of my family’s favorite players, or because at the World Cup two years ago we all sat in front of the TV rooting for Argentina.

Nah. I have a story to tell him. Many years ago Sergio scored a goal that gave me one of the happiest moments of my life.

To understand why, you need to know about my older brother, Jack.

Jack was my hero when I was a kid. Some people think that my dad, Claudio, made me a good player, since he was a pro himself. Sure, he gave me great advice and some pretty good genes. But when I was growing up in Manchester, where Dad was playing for Manchester City, the one who always played with me in the backyard was Jack.

We had the old Samba goals, you know? One-on-one, nowhere to hide. I was four years old and Jack was three years older, so he would sometimes let me win by letting a few shots slip under his foot. Most of the time, though, Jack would make sure I lost. And I’d get angry. I’d kick him, bite him, fight him. Then I’d cry and run to my mum, Danielle. Those games made me grow up a lot, and Dad will tell you the same thing. My competitiveness, my feistiness, all that came from trying to beat Jack.

He was the perfect brother. I was always a shy kid, so he would include me in whatever he was doing with his friends, which meant that I got used to playing against kids who were several years older. That gave me confidence. When I wasn’t around, he’d say nice things about me. When he realized that I was going to be better than he was, he pushed me to become the best I could possibly be. And if I had played a good game, he would be the first person to call me to tell how well I had played.

In 2007, our family moved to New York, where Dad played for the New York Red Bulls. In the summer of 2010, Jack was diagnosed with brain cancer. He was 11 years old. At one point it looked like he was going to make it, but in December 2011, the doctors discovered that the tumor had come back. Shortly after that, when we went on a vacation to Mexico, Jack started to get sick and put on pounds because of the chemotherapy. He could still walk and swim, but he got tired very quickly. That was when I figured out that this could end in a very bad way.

Over the next few months I did everything I could to help him. I had to grow up fast. He couldn’t pull himself up. There was a point where he had to wear diapers. I learned how to microwave food, I did the dishes, stuff like that. I also hung out a lot with my younger brother, Joah-Mikel, and my younger sister, Carolina, who were having a tough time, too. I just wanted to make my family happy, and to make Jack happy, of course. All of us did, especially when we knew that he only had a few months left to live. Every night at the dinner table we would tell each other stories and laugh. Every night. Somehow, even in such a devastating situation, we managed to have some fun.

One day in May 2012, when Jack was 13, we gathered in the living room to watch the final day of the Premier League. I think even my grandparents were there. We are all big City fans, because Dad played there, and on that particular day City could win its first league title in 44 years by beating Queens Park Rangers at home. If City didn’t win, we had to hope that Manchester United, which was behind City only on goal differential, didn’t win either.

We were all pretty positive that City was going to beat QPR, one of the smaller teams in the league. When City scored in the first half, the win, and the title, seemed like a formality.

But QPR turned the game around and took the lead in the second half. Since United was winning, City needed two goals. In our living room nobody was smiling anymore. I felt bad for Jack. He was so sick at that time that he couldn’t walk or talk. Now he wasn’t going to see City win the league either.

Two minutes into stoppage time Edin Džeko equalized. That gave us some hope, even though the game was almost over. Two minutes later Agüero scored the winner.

You’ve seen the goal. You’ve heard the commentary.

“AGÜEROOOOOOO!!”

We went crazy in the living room. We were jumping around, shouting and celebrating and hugging each other. A first league title in 44 years! Won in the most incredible manner. We looked at each other in disbelief.

Suddenly we heard someone gasping for air. It was Jack. He was rolling around on the floor, which came out of nowhere because he barely had any energy left in his body. We got very concerned. For 20 seconds it looked like he couldn’t breathe.

Then, slowly, Jack broke into a smile and began to laugh. We realized that he was celebrating the goal. He was just as happy as we were.

I’ll never forget that moment. It was so amazing, so funny, so crazy. A bit more than nine weeks later, on July 19, Jack passed away.”

It would be the third American on the Rossoneri squad after Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah, who also arrived at the club in the summer. Pulisic has started off well with 2 goals in 6 matches, but after an electric start the American has hit a snag of two below par performances.

Musah has shown very well, especially in his first start against Hellas Verona over the weekend where he was one of Milan’s better players in a very underwhelming victory for AC Milan 1-0. Now it could be Gio Reyna’s turn to suit up for the red and black.

Gio Reyna to AC Milan?

According to the Fichajes report, Gio Reyna could go to Milan in January, Reyna up until his long term injury woes last year was being watched by Milan and Real Madrid. Real Madrid has since moved on but Milan are still keen on signing the American in January.

Reyna has yet to make an appearance for Dortmund this season due to injury but did return to the bench over the weekend in Bundesliga play. Reyna’s injury issues have kept him out of the Yellow and Black starting lineup last season although he contributed greatly off the bench.

If Milan were to move in on Reyna in the winter it would not be for the bargain prices they purchased Musah and Pulisic for, Reyna at one time commanded at least a 70 million euro price tag.

At 20 and reduced to limited action Reyna has 17 goals in 107 games for Borussia Dortmund and at the USMNT level the silky midfielder has 4 goals in 20 caps for the US.

Reyna has had a steady climb, with 17 goals in 107 games for Dortmund, the talent is there, the issues have been injuries, as Reyna has been hampered by injuries over the last two seasons. Now in preseason and recuperating from yet another injury, Reyna is hoping that 2023/24 can truly be his breakout season.

The USMNT star sat down with Goal and talked about his playing days so far at Borussia Dortmund, and he revealed who has been his best teammate.

Gio Reyna on Erling Haaland

It was no surprise that Gio Reyna stated that his best teammate so far in his young career has been goal machine Erling Haaland. “Erling Haaland, one of the best players in the world, absolutely insane, goalscoring machine, I loved playing with him.”

Reyna went on to state that Erling Haaland still keeps in touch with his former teammates and has a “good heart”. “He’s a real genuine kind guy, so he still keeps in touch with not only me but a lot of the guys on our team. He’s a great guy.”

After failing to qualify for the2018 World Cup, theUnited Statesare getting redemption inQatar 2022. This is the second-youngest roster for the US in tournament’shistorywith an average age of25 years, 175 days. Gio Reyna is a key factor for that at 20-years old.

Gregg Berhalter’s team started the Qatar 2022 World Cup with twoties facingWales (1-1) and England (0-0). Then, in a must-win scenario, the USMNT answered with a 1-0 victory against Iran. The Netherlands became the next rival in the Round of 16 and many people expected to see Gio Reyna in the starting lineup.

Why is Gio Reynanot playing in United Statesvs Netherlands?

Though he is one of the best players in the USMNT roster, as a young sensation with Borussia Dortmund, Gio Reyna didn’t start any of the three matches at the group stage. In a merely tactical decision, coach Gregg Berhalter has decided Reyna is not a decisive factor yet in the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

Gio Reyna only played in the game against England as asubstitute for Timothy Weah in minute 83′. Weah, Josh Sargent and Christian Pulisic have been the usual starting names in attack for the United States during the World Cup.

However, in a single-elimination game like the one against the Netherlands, Gio Reyna is available to come from the bench. The USMNT haven’t won a Roundof 16 match since their 2002 victory over Mexico at Jeonju.

Enjoy all theQatar 2022 FIFA World Cupmatches from the United States through FuboTV.Click hereand to take advantage of their 7-day free trial offer.

Iran even tried to have the USMNT kicked out of the World Cup due to a controversy with their flag, and Tyler Adams had to deal with a rather uncomfortable question when addressing the Iranian media.

So, considering how much is at stakethis time, one could only wonder that Gregg Berhalter would send his best men to the pitch. If that’s the case, then why isn’t Borussia Dortmund star Gio Reyna playing?

Qatar 2022: Why Isn’t Gio Reyna Playing Vs. Iran?

According to former USMNT player Eric Wynalda, there’s a feud between Gio Reyna and coach Gregg Berhalter, up to the point where he lied about Reyna’s fitness when he didn’t sub him in vs. Wales:

“With Gio Reyna out of the lineup right now, which has been a massive controversy within the team, even his own teammates are wanting him on the field and it seems to be some internal strife with the manager Gregg Berhalter,” Wynalda said.“He was fit to play, Berhalter did lie to the media, and the player had to go along with that story.”

Reyna is arguably the USMNT’s most talented player, so he should be subbed on if they need him, regardless of Berhalter’s personal feelings about him. Also, he could be coaching for his job, so he cannot afford this right now.

The USMNT has been solid at the center of the pitch and defensively, but they’ve lacked playmaking, creation, and ball security at times, which are three things the Borussia Dortmund star can give them. Hopefully, this decision won’t come back to haunt Berhalter with an early exit, as this generation is just way too talented.

Notably, and despite being in desperate need of ball security, playmaking, and talent, Berhalter still refused to sub Gio Reyna in, leaning towards Seattle Sounders’ Jordan Morris insteadand leaving fans wondering whether Reyna was fit for the clash.

Berhalter offered little clarity throughout the week, first stating that he experienced some hamstring tightnessand then backpedaling to say that he was fully healthy and didn’t play because of a tactical decision.

Qatar 2022: Why Isn’t Gio Reyna Starting For USA Vs. England?

With that in mind, most people thought Berhalter would go with his best eleven players ahead of their must-win clash vs. England. However, the Borussia Dortmund stalwart was nowhere to be seen, again, presumably due to a tactical decision.

Berhalter’s only change for this matchup was starting Haji Wright over Josh Sargent. Some speculated that he could start Reyna or Brenden Aaronson over Weston McKennie, who struggled in the debut against Wales, but that wasn’t the case.

Reyna has established himself as one of the most prominent prospects in European soccer, excelling for Borussia Dortmund week in and week out. He’s used to going against top-notch competition, and could provide a much-needed offensive spark for Berhalter’s squad.

Maybe, he’s just trying to keep him fresh, given his well-documented history of injuries. But truth be told, he cannot afford to keep one of his best players off the pitch if he intends to make it past the group stage. So, we still expect him to be subbed in at some point in today’s matchup.

Gregg Berhalter’s team features plenty of young talent, with just one player (DeAndre Yedlin) having made a World Cup appearance before. In fact, the USMNT is the second-youngest team in the tournament.

That’s why most people expected Borussia Dortmund stalwart Gio Reyna to be in the team’s starting XI to face Wales. However, the talented 19-year-old was nowhere to be seen. How’s that?

Qatar 2022: Why Didn’t Gio Reyna Start For USA Vs. Wales?

Coach Berhalter is a big fan of Timothy Weah, who got the nod over Reyna. Simply put, it was a tactical decision and not something injury-related. Fortunately for Berhalter and the U.S., Gio Reyna is fully healthyand is available to be subbed in at any point.

Chances are that Reyna will still make a big impact onthis team. He’s likely to play in the final third of the matchup, just like Leeds United star Brenden Aaronson. Maybe, he’ll even earn a spot in the starting XI for the next game.

Since going down with a hamstring injury in October, Reyna has missed 8 Bundesliga matches and all of Borussia Dortmund’s Champions League games. A shame considering Reyna began his year very lively and promising to be a breakout season for the midfielder.

With the USMNT Reyna went down playing in only 1 qualification match with the team. Here is how Gio Reyna’s recovery is going and why he will miss out on the matches against Mexico and Jamaica.

Gio Reyna’s injury status

Gio Reyna is still not expected to return to the Borussia Dortmund squad anytime soon, his head coach Marco Rose stated last Friday, “It’s really not foreseeable for me when (Reyna) will be back in training with the team, I have to be honest,” Rose said. “But we hope that will happen before the end of this year.”

In Reyna’s place Gregg Berhalter will have Sebastian Lletget, Gianluca Busio, and Yunus Musah depending on how the coach lines up the team.