'I can't be too surprised' – Gio Reyna accepts USMNT September friendlies omission, targets return to Mauricio Pochettino’s squad

Reyna, who completed a move to Borussia Monchengladbach last week, admitted that he isn't surprised that he was left out of Mauricio Pochettino's team

• Reyna "can't be too surprised" to miss USMNT roster, he admitted
• Has only featured in one camp under Mauricio Pochettino
• Sold to Borussia Monchengladbach last week in $8 million deal 

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  U.S. international Gio Reyna isn't surprised that he was omitted from Mauricio Pochettino's squad for friendlies against Japan and Korea. The attacking midfielder, who recently completed a move from Dortmund to Monchengladbach this summer, struggled for playing time during his last two seasons at BVB, and was not included in the Argentine's 23-man roster for the two fixtures, scheduled for early next month. 

  Reyna admitted to ESPN that he wasn't surprised that Pochettino didn't select him.

  "Yeah, I mean, I can't really be [mad], I guess I'm just speaking for myself. I can't be too surprised if, obviously, I haven't played any games with the club yet this season and I haven't played any preseason games," he said. "For me, I can't obviously be mad about it. Of course, I want to be back in, but I only know that's only possible with playing time and performing well. So that's how it is. That's how it should be."

  Reyna was a bit-part player for Dortmund last year, appearing for just 614 minutes and limited to a bench role – largely due to ongoing injury struggles that had seen him fall out of favor under various managers. 

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• WHAT REYNA SAID ABOUT BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH

  He did concede, though, that his desire to represent the USMNT at the 2026 World Cup factored into his decision to leave Dortmund: "Obviously, I feel like it's the time to take the next step for me. And also, of course, with the national team now too. It's obviously really important that I play, wanting to come back in and, yeah, be ready for the World Cup more than anything."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Reyna spent six years at Dortmund. After breaking into the squad in 2019 as a well-regarded teenager, he steadily fell out of the picture for the German giants. He had been linked with a move to Serie A side Parma earlier in the transfer window, but the deal fell through. 

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  WHAT NEXT FOR REYNA?

  The attacking midfielder now has a chance to revive his career, it seems. Monchengladbach play Stuttgart Saturday morning, and it is unclear if Reyna will be available for selection.