Tipping point: Gio Reyna's career is in the balance, as USMNT star's future at Borussia Dortmund remains unclear
Getty/GOALThe once-promising USMNT midfielder is nearly 22, and lack of playing time has stagnated his progress
If you’re a fan of Gio Reyna, this situation is already familiar to you.
Reyna's season started as most of his other games have started over recent years: on the bench. Borussia Dortmund's campaign began last weekend with a lopsided DFB-Pokal win over a lower-league team, and Reyna once again had a front-row seat to it all.
Despite Dortmund comfortably leading 4-1 against Phonix Lubeck with the majority of their first team players on the pitch, Reyna was left on the bench. Starters included Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, Julian Brandt, and Karim Adeyemi, with Julian Duranville and Donyell Malen later joining from the sidelines. The Dortmund forward line remains congested, and even when the team is dominating their opponent, Reyna still struggles to find a place.
The fact that there are only days, not weeks, left in the transfer window makes Reyna’s situation even more critical. He is at a crucial juncture in his career where he cannot afford to squander time. Simply being part of one of the world’s top football clubs is no longer beneficial to him. Actually playing the game is what matters now.
For years, Reyna looked as if he would be Dortmund's next big thing, the up-and-coming talent who would follow the likes of friends Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham into superstardom.
That hasn't happened, at least not yet.
What should Reyna do? While he might not have complete control over the outcome, it is crucial for his benefit that the resolution results in him playing actual, significant minutes at some point during this season. His progress and career, in several respects, hinge on it.
