Pochettino: 'Amazing' Reyna deserves USMNT World Cup roster spot - ESPN

NEW YORK — United States men's national team coach Mauricio Pochettino said that he included Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder Gio Reyna on his World Cup roster because of the player's «amazing talent.»

Reyna made the U.S. squad despite playing just 137 minutes for Gladbach since the start of the calendar year, a period in which he tallied one goal.

But due in part to Reyna's performances during the November international window, in which he scored in a 2-1 win against Paraguay and added an assist in the 5-1 win over Uruguay, Pochettino opted to include the player, stating that Reyna was «fantastic» during that period.

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«I think we all know Gio have an amazing talent and experience, too,» Pochettino said during his news conference following the announcement of his 26-player roster. «And to play a non-official game or to play in different competition is not the same as to play in the World Cup. [But] I think we need to trust the players that have experience and I think that is really important.»

Reyna has long been one of the more talented players in the USMNT pool, but a string of injuries and inconsistent play have prevented him from making much of an impact at the club level. Pochettino, though, sees Reyna's potential.

"[Reyna] can add different things to the team. He has the quality," Pochettino said. He then added, «I think he has characteristics [that are] different and I think I really trust [him], OK? I like trusting everyone. But I really trust in him and to give him the confidence.»

Reyna, for his part, is appreciative of getting to go to a