USMNT legend Landon Donovan didn't hold back when discussing Gio Reyna's chances of making the 2026 World Cup squad. In a candid moment on his Unfiltered Soccer podcast, Donovan laid out a stark ultimatum for the talented but troubled midfielder: "Gio, there is every chance you don't play one minute this summer... I need to know you're going to be a good teammate, on board, keep your mouth shut, keep working, and help the group."
These comments come as no surprise to those who remember Reyna's rocky relationship with former USMNT manager Gregg Berhalter. At the 2022 World Cup, Reyna saw limited playing time amid reports of a poor attitude and lack of effort behind the scenes. Now, with Mauricio Pochettino set to announce the final 23-man roster on May 26, history may be repeating itself—but the stakes have never been higher with the tournament on home soil.
Donovan's concerns go beyond attitude. He labeled both Reyna and fellow attacker Ricardo Pepi as "unreliable" due to persistent injury issues. "Whether that's through performance or mostly through injury, or both in Gio's case," Donovan explained. "If you're a coach, you just need to know what you are getting."
Reyna's fitness record makes for difficult reading. At Borussia Mönchengladbach, he missed five games in early 2026 and has played just 82 minutes since the start of the year. Over his young career, he has already missed 93 games due to injury—a staggering number for a player many consider the most naturally gifted in the USMNT pool. Talent alone doesn't win tournaments, and consistent unavailability creates headaches for any coach.
The competition for attacking spots is fiercer than ever. Christian Pulisic, Malik Tillman, and Brenden Aaronson are all pushing for minutes, each offering reliability and form that Reyna has struggled to match. Donovan didn't sugarcoat the math: "If it's a 23-man roster, Gio doesn't make it."
Pochettino's history at elite clubs like Tottenham, PSG, and Chelsea shows he values squad harmony and dependability over pure talent. His approach is a departure from Berhalter's, but whether that opens a door for Reyna or closes it remains to be seen. For a player who has everything to gain—and everything to lose—the message from Donovan couldn't be clearer: attitude and availability matter as much as ability.