Gio Reyna is back in the USMNT setup as if he never left. Even though he has played only 146 minutes across six games for Borussia Mönchengladbach, Mauricio Pochettino still called him up. The decision paid off. Reyna scored and assisted in the USA’s November opener against Paraguay, leading the team to a 2–1 win. Since then, he has been the center of attention, and it didn’t take long for USMNT legend Tim Howard to praise him.

Howard retired from international football in 2017, three years before Reyna made his debut in late 2020. He never played with Reyna, but he always knew the young midfielder was a rare talent. “I’m a fan of Gio because I have my eyes wide open about who U.S. soccer is,” Howard said on his Unfiltered Soccer podcast with Landon Donovan. “Whether they reach their full potential or not, we don’t produce players like this.”

That is high praise coming from a player who was part of one of the most iconic generations in USMNT history – and who said it while sitting next to Donovan. Legends like Tab Ramos, Claudio Reyna, Clint Dempsey, Christian Pulisic, and Donovan himself are in their own category. Howard believes Gio Reyna belongs in that group too.

The USMNT has strong players in every position, but Howard says Reyna is a different kind of talent—one the U.S. rarely produces. And he hopes Reyna continues to grow with the national team.

“I still hold out hope that he can find the form with the U.S. national team and that he can find a place,” Howard added. “It’s tough to take the ball in big moments… When the world is watching, it’s hard to step up. I think he can do that, and I can’t say that about many players.”

Praise doesn’t get much stronger than that. Reyna now has the responsibility to live up to those expectations, and he seems ready as per Pochettino.

Gio Reyna belongs to Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT!

Before the Paraguay game, Pochettino sent Reyna a clear message: “If a player doesn’t behave well, he’s not going to be with us.” Reyna responded on the field, and Pochettino acknowledged it. “So happy with him… He showed why he started.”

Those 75 minutes in the USMNT shirt were his most meaningful in a long time, having signed with Borussia Mönchengladbach of the Bundesliga, and played a total of 146 minutes with 0 G/A. Reyna knows it was his chance to prove himself. “I knew it was an opportunity for me to show that I belong here,” he said afterward.

It’s a good sign that he has earned Pochettino’s trust—especially since the Argentine manager is known for being difficult to impress. But Reyna must keep proving himself. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup only six and a half months away, all eyes are on him now.

The onus is all on you, Gio.