How USMNT’s Gio Reyna can use World Cup to earn new respect from ‘old’ critics

Talent has never been the issue for Gio Reyna. For almost a decade, Claudio’s son has been viewed as one of the most naturally gifted players in the USMNT pipeline. His first touch, vision, and ability to unlock defenses remain qualities few American players can match. Yet as a ‘surreal’ 2026 FIFA World Cup begins on home soil, the 23-year-old is in the unusual position of trying to convince some American soccer legends that the talent speaks for itself.

Former USMNT stars such as Landon Donovan, Alexi Lalas, and others have spent much of the World Cup buildup emphasizing accountability, professionalism, and the responsibility that comes with wearing the national team shirt. Donovan recently spoke about the need for this generation to create defining moments while embracing the pressure of a home World Cup rather than fearing it.

Reyna’s challenge is not proving he belongs on the roster. Mauricio Pochettino already made that decision. The challenge is proving that he can be trusted. That distinction matters to the Hall of Famers who blazed a unique, lonely trail. It took maturity to make it as an American in the 1990s, as well as grit.

Unfortunately, the shadow of the 2022 World Cup controversy has followed Reyna for nearly four years. His lack of intensity in training and frustration over playing time became one of the defining stories of the tournament. Reyna eventually apologized to teammates after internal concerns reached a breaking point. Since then, every discussion about Reyna has included some variation of the same maturity questions.

USMNT, Gio Reyna get right

Even Reyna appears tired of answering it. The midfielder recently said he has grown from the experience and wants the focus to be on the present rather than old controversies. The good news for Reyna is that earning respect from critics is far simpler than winning an argument.

Knowing he cannot ever win the press conference in this environment, Reyna just needs to win minutes. One moment of brilliance and a kiss of the badge would have every USMNT supporter screaming with joy. But that’s not enough, actually. It’s still a bit too self-centered for some. The critics need more, and so does Pochettino.

This USMNT is lacking midfield depth. It’s all defenders, wingbacks, and forwards for the 2026 run. So, Reyna needs to simply increase the all-around work rate. Even if he is on the bench, be useful. Grab a ball, or fall on it, depending on the scoreline. Get cheeky. Show some character and pride in the result.

The former Borussia Dortmund standout can begin changing minds by embracing a role that does not revolve around him. Pochettino has repeatedly stressed competition, maturity, and team-first behavior throughout this cycle. Reyna has reportedly responded well inside camp, with the manager publicly praising the environment and professionalism among players fighting for minutes.

That means tracking runners, winning second balls, pressing after turnovers, and making the extra pass. Celebrating a teammate’s goal as enthusiastically as his own would go a long way to winning over the naysayers. Those moments may not trend on social media, but they are exactly the moments former players notice.

Christian Pulisic will draw most of the attention. Weston McKennie will provide energy and personality. Tyler Adams will set the emotional tone. Reyna can become the World Cup’s ultimate supporting actor and become a national legend in the process. Until then, the voices that shape American soccer’s loudest opinions are not going to go quiet just because Gio Reyna made the team.

Landon Donovan, the USMNT’s all-time leading scorer, laid out his conditions in plain terms.

“If I’m Pochettino, I go to him and say, ‘Gio, there is every chance you don’t play one minute this summer. There’s a chance you play a lot of minutes,” Donovan told fellow USMNT legend Tim Howard. “But whatever happens, I need to know you’re going to be a good teammate, on board, keep your mouth shut, keep working, and help the group. And if you’re willing to do that, I’m bringing you.'”

It was a sobering threshold to set for a 23-year-old who, in 39 international caps, has nine goals and six assists. But that’s the reality for Reyna heading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The old guard remembers 2022. And many of them haven’t fully moved on.

The World Cup is the stage that allows all of it to become irrelevant. If Reyna comes off the bench in a tense knockout game, plays the wall pass that unlocks a defense, finds the corner of the net late in the second half…then the former players who questioned his commitment will be grudgingly silent, or openly converted. If not, it’s see you next cycle, where you’ll hear the same ‘old’ stories.

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