Gio Reyna slated for USMNT return once back to full fitness

Gio Reyna’s return to international duty could come as early as the October U.S. men’s national team camp.

Reyna, who recently dressed in each of Borussia Dortmund’s last two matches, is slated to get back to his best after a calf injury sidelined him since June. The 20-year-old delivered a Man of the Match performance for the USMNT in June’s 2-0 Concacaf Nations League Finals victory over Canada, logging two assists in 45 minutes.

His injury however forced him to miss most of Borussia Dortmund’s summer camp, as well as the early stages of the domestic and European schedule.

A return to USMNT duty would reunite Reyna with head coach Gregg Berhalter for the first time since Berhalter’s return to the sidelines. Berhalter’s previous contract as USMNT head coach was not extended in December 2022 after Reyna’s parents Danielle and Claudio leaked information to U.S. Soccer regarding Berhalter’s past domestic abuse incident with his wife, Rosalind.

Following a lengthy investigation by the USSF, Berhalter was rehired as USMNT head coach in June and since has led the Americans to friendly victories in September over Uzbekistan (3-0) and Oman (4-0).

U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker answered to reporters about Reyna’s immediate future with the program and admitted he is ready to put the past behind him and the federation.

“Of course, we’ve had conversations with Gregg,” Crocker said in a press conference. “Gregg has had conversations with Gio. They’re in a place where as soon as Gio is fit, he’ll be in the next camp. I can’t wait for him to be on camp so we can stop talking about this. I think until that moment happens we’ll still keep writing about it.

“I think both Gregg and Gio are in a good place to move forward and that’s the best thing to say,” he added. “There’s a way forward. Clearly, there’s been a lot of emotions over the last 12 months, but the common connection is they both want the program to be successful.”

Reyna was part of the USMNT’s World Cup roster last fall, playing only 52 minutes in four matches for the Americans. Berhalter later admitted in HOW Institute for Society’s Summit on Moral Leadership in November that one player was close to being sent home from the World Cup, a player which was reportedly later identified as Reyna.

Injuries have also plagued Reyna’s time with the USMNT and Borussia Dortmund, but a return to full fitness is the starting point to getting him back in line with Berhalter for a busy 2023-24 schedule.

“That’s the starting point,” Crocker said. “There is a clear way forward and a professional way of working and they’re both ready. Gio’s looking forward to the next camp, since he’s fit, and Gregg’s looking forward to working with him, the same as all the staff and all the players that want to welcome him back.

“So, we’ve got a way forward and I just want this next camp to be over for us to stop talking about it,” he added.

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