Throughout the upcoming worldwide break, america males’s nationwide staff will play their first aggressive matches since Gregg Berhalter’s return. With the USMNT going through Trinidad and Tobago in a two-legged tie that additionally contains an away journey to the Caribbean, Gregg Berhalter must stability his assault with out Christian Pulisic and Tim Weah out there Whereas the targets are anticipated to return from Folarin Balogun main the road, what’s essential is how the ball will get to him and that is the place focus heads to the midfield, particularly Gio Reyna.
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The younger midfielder has struggled for minutes at Borussia Dortmund however his appearances for the nationwide staff have been wonderful. With six senior targets and three assists in solely 22 appearances, Reyna has been capable of make an influence regardless of receiving restricted minutes and lacking time as a result of harm. However, that influence has primarily been restricted to friendlies as he has solely scored as soon as and assisted three targets in aggressive fixtures, all in Nations League matches. That is why with Weah and Pulisic out of the squad, it is a superb alternative for the 20-year-old.
Over the last worldwide window versus Germany and Ghana was the possibility for Reyna to put his variations with Berhalter behind him and he looks like he was in a position to do this. This window is now a time to indicate that even when everyone seems to be wholesome, not solely ought to he be within the XI as a lot as potential but additionally that his position must be within the middle of the pitch to spring the assault.
Few gamers have the power to identify and make a go earlier than area closes down like Reyna can do however his on-the-ball skill to create space for himself is spectacular as properly. In the newest window, even his defensive work price shined as Reyna grows into being an entire midfielder. With a tangible outcome on the finish of this two legged tie, the objective is obvious — defeat Trinidad and Tobago to guide a spot in Copa America whereas additionally attending to defend the Concacaf Nations League title.
It is a objective that has turn into extra difficult with out two star attackers however that is the place Reyna and the depth of the USMNT can shine. Not solely is Rena enjoying for a constant position throughout the nationwide staff however he is additionally enjoying for a possible transfer in the course of the January switch window to get constant minutes.
There shall be different younger gamers as properly with alternatives to step up like Kevin Pardes and Alex Zendejas who may assist fill the voids at winger, however even for them to carry out, they might want the assistance of Reyna within the center to ping the ball across the park.
“Gio made a full return to the lineup within the final nationwide staff camp and our goal was to construct his health not overloading him and getting him right into a place the place he can return to Dortmund and play a job and he did that,” Berhalter mentioned round Reyna’s position when the roster was launched. “What the subsequent step appears to be like like is but to be decided however we will actually envision him being on the sphere and us having the ability to push his minutes to assist the staff win the video games.”
Berhalter makes it clear that Reyna will play a serious half in what the USMNT do throughout this window however when it comes all the way down to each minutes and influence, that is the place the ball is in Reyna’s courtroom. Maturing as a participant, it is a great opportunity for progress even when he can solely see restricted minutes as even a half from Reyna may be sufficient to safe victories over Trinidad and increase his position and confidence transferring ahead.
Potential XI
Matt Turner; Sergino Dest, Chris Richards, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson; Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie, Gio Reyna, Brenden Aaronson, Alex Zendejas; Folarin Balogun
USMNT Schedule
Thursday, Nov. 16
USMNT vs. Trinidad & Tobago, 9 p.m. ET (Paramount+)
Monday, Nov. 20
Trinidad & Tobago vs. USMNT, 7 p.m. ET (Paramount+)
