USMNT’s Gio Reyna ruled out for matches against Canada and New Zealand

Gio Reyna, the winger for the United States men’s national soccer team, is set to miss upcoming friendly matches against Canada and New Zealand due to a strained left groin. His spot on the roster has been filled by Cade Cowell, who joins the team in Reyna’s absence.

This recent injury is yet another challenge for Reyna, who has struggled with fitness throughout the past season. He managed to play only 280 minutes in league matches while with Borussia Dortmund before being loaned to Nottingham Forest mid-season. During his time at Nottingham, he again found limited action, totaling just 235 minutes on the pitch.

In the current season, Reyna’s situation hasn’t improved. He participated for just 10 minutes across Borussia Dortmund’s initial two Bundesliga games, raising concerns about his readiness and form.

At only 21 years old, Reyna has already made a name for himself on the international stage, scoring eight goals in 31 appearances for the U.S. national team. He is also the son of former U.S. captain Claudio Reyna, which adds to the family’s notable soccer legacy.

Cade Cowell, the player replacing Reyna, is 20 years old and currently plays for Chivas in Mexico. Cowell has earned one goal in his eight appearances for the national team, showcasing his potential to step up during this crucial time.

The U.S. men’s national team is scheduled to face Canada on Saturday in Kansas City, followed by another match against New Zealand on Tuesday in Cincinnati. These friendlies are important opportunities for the team to prepare and regroup after some recent challenges.

As the U.S. Soccer Federation works towards finalizing the hiring of Mauricio Pochettino as the new head coach of the national team, the current matches will be overseen by Mikey Varas in an interim capacity. This arrangement has been in place for several weeks, allowing the team to maintain some continuity during this transitional period.

Mikey Varas, 39, previously served as an assistant coach for the team under Gregg Berhalter, who parted ways with the program following a disappointing performance in the Copa América. The U.S. team failed to progress past the group stage, prompting the need for a coaching change.

As the team prepares to take on Canada and New Zealand without Reyna, fans are hopeful that the combination of new talent and interim management will yield positive results. Cowell’s addition to the roster could provide fresh energy and opportunity for the squad as they navigate these friendlies.

With Reyna’s ongoing injury struggles, the focus now shifts to the potential contributions of Cowell and how the team adapts under Varas. It remains to be seen how the U.S. national team will perform in the upcoming matches and what implications these games will have for the future direction of the program.

As they face these challenges, both players and coaching staff are looking to build a strong foundation leading into more competitive fixtures in the months ahead.

Source: Associated Press