The headlines in the first U.S. men’s national team window of the 2030 World Cup cycle are swirling around Cavan Sullivan and several other young prospects shining during their introduction to the senior international level. But among the most important takeaways from this fall camp is the career revival on display from arguably its best prospect ever: Gio Reyna.
Call it the Reynaissance, if you like.
Although Reyna appeared in every match for the USMNT at the 2026 World Cup, starting only the dead-rubber group stage clash with Turkiye, his future following the tournament for club and country was uncertain. Injuries had continued to stall his development and his ceiling seemed to sink in his second World Cup cycle, too physically limited to be relied on as a starter.
But Mauricio Pochettino believed in him.
“That’s why he was with us at the World Cup when he wasn’t playing a lot in his [club] team. He’s a player who we think has enormous talent,” the U.S. manager said of Reyna after beating Mexico 3-0.
Now, a summer move to Strasbourg and regular minutes have suddenly reinvigorated Reyna, to the extent that he’s started all three friendlies of the 2030 World Cup cycle thus far. He’s the only U.S. player to do so. Notably, Pochettino hasn’t been thrilled with playing four friendlies in such short order and stressed he’s conscious of load management and rotation. To call Reyna’s three starts in a row a surprise, then, would be an understatement.
“I feel like I’m getting back to my full self, feeling really good. Felt like I’ve had a good start this season at club, and then also bringing that here now,” Reyna, who started four of five games in Ligue 1 for his new club, said after the win over Mexico.
