Gio Reyna has withdrawn from the U.S. men’s national team’s upcoming CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals against Haiti after sustaining a thigh injury during Strasbourg’s 3-1 defeat at Toulouse on Friday. The 22-year-old midfielder scored his third league goal of the season in the 67th minute before limping off just three minutes later, ruling him out of the critical two-legged tie that begins next Saturday in Miami. Reyna’s absence is a significant blow to the squad’s tactical flexibility, as he was poised to anchor the central midfield in a pivotal phase of the tournament.
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With Reyna unavailable, head coach Mauricio Pochettino has turned to Jack McGlynn, whose explosive start to the 2024-25 England Championship season has warranted his first call-up in 14 months. The 23-year-old winger has become a fixture on the right flank for Stoke City, which sits atop the league table with a 9-4-2 record, tying with Birmingham City and Middlesbrough on 29 points. McGlynn’s inclusion signals a shift toward high-intensity wing play, aiming to exploit defensive vulnerabilities in Haiti’s backline during the decisive matches scheduled for November 17 in Cincinnati.
The injury forces a redistribution of responsibilities within the U.S. midfield, placing greater pressure on Malik Tillman and Sebastian Berhalter to control the tempo and create chances. Camp opens Monday at the national training center near Atlanta, where the coaching staff will finalize the tactical adjustments necessary to navigate the quarterfinals without their star creator. While Reyna’s return timeline remains uncertain, the U.S. must rely on collective depth and the emerging form of players like McGlynn to secure a spot in the Nations League final.
Source: Yahoo Sports
