Let’s address the most pressing point first: according to Mauricio Pochettino’s criteria, Gio Reyna should not be part of the current squad. Pochettino himself acknowledged that Reyna does not conform to his preference for selecting players who are consistently getting minutes. However, he views Reyna as a unique case. Thus, the ongoing saga of Reyna and the US Men’s National Team (USMNT) continues. Pochettino has witnessed flashes of Reyna’s creativity and dynamism, and he likely hopes to utilize the upcoming weeks—and by extension, next summer—to fully unleash that potential. While this is fundamentally a coaching role, Reyna also bears responsibility. Given that Christian Pulisic is still on the mend from an injury, it’s probable that Reyna will receive ample opportunities to prove himself. The definition of “success” in this context is quite subjective. At the very least, Reyna needs to demonstrate that he can rediscover the maverick qualities that made him a standout performer at such a young age on the national stage. This situation resembles a mathematical equation: Pochettino is expected to deploy three center-backs moving forward. Two of those positions seem secured. Chris Richards is transitioning into a phase of his career that exceeds what Crystal Palace can offer. Tim Ream, although older, remains reliable and serves as the Post navigation Manchester United’s Evolving Strategy Under INEOS Earps Anticipates Emotional Return to Old Trafford
