FOX Sports analyst Rob Stone has questioned Gio Reyna's place in the USMNT squad, citing poor club form and a lack of on-field impact.
The proximity of the 2026 World Cup usually brings a sense of unified excitement, but for the United States Men’s National Team, it is currently stirring up old ghosts and fresh anxieties. At the center of the storm sits Gio Reyna, a player whose career has oscillated between being the designated savior of American soccer and a cautionary tale of unfulfilled potential. As the May 26 deadline for the final 26-man roster looms, the internal debate over his inclusion has spilled into the public arena with startling bluntness. Rob Stone, a veteran voice of the game, has notably broken ranks to suggest that the forward might no longer be a mandatory selection for the national side.
The critique from Stone is not merely a passing comment on a bad run of form; it is a fundamental reassessment of what Reyna brings to a team that has historically struggled with internal harmony. Speaking during a recent broadcast, Stone reflected on the high expectations placed on Reyna during the 2022 cycle, expectations that eventually dissolved into a saga that threatened to dismantle the squad from the inside. The analyst was unequivocal, stating that he does not believe Reyna has earned a spot on the plane this summer. This hardline stance reflects a growing sentiment that the USMNT can no longer afford to carry players based solely on their hypothetical ceiling when the actual production is lacking.
The Statistical Reality at Borussia Mönchengladbach
The primary ammunition for Reyna’s detractors is found in the cold, hard numbers of his current campaign in Germany. Playing for Borussia Mönchengladbach, a club where he was expected to find stability and regular minutes, Reyna has struggled to impose himself. Across 19 appearances, his return of a single goal and one solitary assist is a concerning metric for a player whose primary role is to unlock defenses. While he did manage to find the net against Augsburg recently, one goal in a long season is hardly the resume of a player guaranteed to start in a World Cup opener.
This lack of output is compounded by the lack of consistent playing time. Managers at the highest level of European football are notoriously unsympathetic to international reputations, and Reyna has found himself frequently watching from the bench. Stone emphasized this point, noting that because Reyna hasn’t earned the trust of his club coaching staff, he shouldn't be handed a silver platter by the national team. In a professional environment, playing time is the only currency that matters, and Reyna's account is currently running low. The gap between his technical ability and his actual contribution to winning games is becoming too wide to ignore.
The Shadow of the 2022 World Cup Fallout
It is impossible to discuss Reyna's international future without referencing the wreckage of Qatar. In 2022, Reyna’s limited involvement—totaling just 52 minutes across two matches—became the catalyst for a scandal that involved his parents and then-coach Gregg Berhalter. While the dust has largely settled on the personal disputes, the sporting questions remain. If Reyna was not considered fit or focused enough to contribute meaningfully during the last World Cup, what has changed in the intervening years to suggest he will be a different animal in 2026? Stone’s assessment that the player helped "break up" the team in 2022 is a heavy accusation that still resonates in the locker room.
The argument for Reyna has always been his unique vision and technical prowess, qualities that are often in short supply within the American player pool. However, Stone estimates his current chances of making the roster at a meager 30 percent, a figure based almost entirely on that lingering sense of "potential." The fear for many is that by including Reyna, the coaching staff might be prioritizing a miracle performance over the tactical discipline and work rate offered by other options. A World Cup roster has no room for passengers, especially when the domestic pressure to succeed on home soil is so immense.
Competition for Places in the Attacking Third
The emergence of other reliable attacking options has also squeezed Reyna’s margin for error. Players like Timothy Weah have established themselves as essential tactical components, offering the kind of verticality and defensive diligence that modern systems demand. Meanwhile, Malik Tillman and Alejandro Zendejas have been knocking on the door with consistent performances that make the case for their inclusion increasingly difficult to ignore. These players offer a different profile—perhaps less mercurial than Reyna, but arguably more dependable in a high-stakes tournament environment.
For the coaching staff, the decision is a classic battle between the known quantity and the high-risk gamble. Tillman, in particular, has shown a level of maturity and tactical awareness in European competition that makes him a very attractive alternative in the creative midfield role. If the USMNT wants to move beyond the Round of 16, they need players who are physically robust and mentally prepared for the grind of a seven-match tournament. Stone’s willingness to be "alright if he’s not on the roster" is a sentiment shared by those who believe the team has finally outgrown its reliance on any single individual, no matter how talented.
Final Deliberations Ahead of the May 26 Deadline
As May 26 approaches, the pressure on the national team hierarchy to get this selection right is reaching a fever pitch. The decision on Reyna will serve as a litmus test for the team's culture: will they reward form and commitment, or will they continue to chase the ghost of what a healthy, focused Reyna could be? The 30 percent chance cited by Stone suggests that the door is still slightly ajar, perhaps a nod to the fact that Reyna remains capable of a moment of magic that few other Americans can replicate. But magic is a poor substitute for a season's worth of hard work.
Ultimately, the story of Gio Reyna is a microcosm of the challenges facing US soccer as a whole. The transition from being a plucky underdog to a serious global contender requires making ruthless decisions about personnel. If a player of Reyna's caliber can be left out due to a lack of club minutes, it signals a healthy level of depth and a standard of accountability that has long been missing. Whether or not he makes the final cut, the conversation sparked by Stone has made one thing certain: the era of guaranteed spots for the "golden generation" is officially over.
Fans across the United States will be glued to their screens when the final list is unveiled. From June 11 through July 19, 2026, the world's focus will be on North America, and every decision made this May will be scrutinized under the brightest lights. more football news on MATCHLINE
