The U.S. men's national team is facing a midfield crisis just as the World Cup looms on the horizon, with several key players sidelined by injuries. That uncertainty could open the door for one of the program's most gifted—and most enigmatic—talents.

Gio Reyna knows this story all too well. At the 2022 World Cup, the then-teenager was surprisingly relegated to the bench, a disappointment that was supposed to fuel his rise. Instead, the 23-year-old Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder has spent much of this cycle battling injuries, navigating unstable club situations, and fighting for consistent minutes. His playing time this season has been sparse, to say the least.

But when the USMNT comes calling, Reyna delivers. This week, he was asked directly about his chances of making Mauricio Pochettino's 26-man World Cup roster. His response was refreshingly honest.

"If I say no, I'm not backing myself. And if I say yes, it's the arrogant answer where I feel like I should be there. It's a hard question to answer."

That kind of self-awareness is exactly the growth the U.S. coaching staff wants to see. Reyna isn't pretending his club struggles don't exist—he's acknowledging the tightrope walk between confidence and humility.

He recently scored his first club goal since January 2025, a small but significant step. The talent has never been in question; it's the consistency that remains the wild card. Whether Pochettino sees enough to bet on him for the biggest stage is the question that will define Reyna's World Cup story.