Giovanni Reyna makes USMNT roster despite 28 minutes of play this year

Limited playing time this year didn't prevent Giovanni Reyna from being selected as one of eight midfielders for the U.S. Men's National Team's friendlies this month against Belgium and Portugal.

Reyna, 23, has played just 28 minutes this year for Borussia Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga, none since Jan. 17 because of a thigh injury. He previously made four starts in 13 matches this 2025-26 season for 403 total minutes.

The roster, announced on Tuesday, is missing midfielder Tyler Adams, the 2022 World Cup captain, who sat out Saturday's Premier League match for Bournemouth because of reported discomfort in training.

Perhaps that created an opening for Reyna, though fellow candidates Alex Zendejas and Diego Luna were left off the squad after recently returning from injuries.

Reyna, the son of former U.S. national team players Claudio and Danielle Reyna, saw limited action in four games at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Current head coach Mauricio Pochettino tapped Giovanni Reyna to return to play from an eight-month absence for a match in November, and he produced a goal and an assist in a 2-1 win over Paraguay. He also came off the bench and notched an assist in a 5-1 victory over Uruguay.

"He showed why he started," Pochettino said after November's win over Paraguay.

The USMNT, currently 15th in the FIFA world rankings, will face No. 9 Belgium on March 28 and No. 6 Portugal on March 31, with both matches at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

--Field Level Media