With the U.S. World Cup roster announcement just two weeks away, Gio Reyna is writing what could be the most compelling chapter of his national team story. The 23-year-old attacking midfielder finds himself in his strongest position in months—though the road here has been anything but smooth.

Reyna hasn't started a match for Borussia Mönchengladbach in five months. Injuries and inconsistent form have turned his first Bundesliga season into a frustrating campaign that fell well short of expectations. But in sports, timing is everything, and Reyna's trajectory is finally pointing upward at the perfect moment—just as head coach Mauricio Pochettino finalizes his World Cup selections.

"It's on everyone's mind," Reyna said during a video call with reporters. "No spot is guaranteed or safe, so, simple: I want to be there. It's a World Cup in your home country. You think about it pretty often but try not to let it take over my day and stress me out too much."

Despite his limited club role, Pochettino called Reyna into the March training camp for friendlies against Belgium and Portugal in Atlanta—a clear vote of confidence. While he only logged 31 combined minutes as a substitute across both matches, the message was unmistakable: unless things took a sharp turn, Reyna is in the conversation for that coveted 26-man roster.

For a player who burst onto the scene as a teenage sensation, this waiting game is a test of patience and resilience. The attacking midfielder who once dazzled at Borussia Dortmund now faces the reality that his World Cup role may look different than he once imagined—likely as an impact option off the bench rather than a guaranteed starter.

"If I say no, I am not backing myself, and then if I say yes, it's the arrogant answer," Reyna admitted. "I love the staff. I love the players. I love the national team. Whatever happens happens."

The stakes couldn't be higher. Pochettino will announce the roster on May 26 in New York, just before camp opens near Atlanta. After tune-up friendlies against Senegal and Germany, the U.S. opens Group D on June 12 against Paraguay in Greater Los Angeles—a home World Cup that comes once in a lifetime.

For Reyna, the next two weeks are about proving he belongs. His talent has never been in question. Now it's about showing he's ready when his country calls.