The US Men’s National Team has been blessed with talented players. ‘Golden Generation’ is how the current pool has been addressed over the years, with each of them enduring success for their individual success. While Gio Reyna is a prime example, his recent struggles have even left Christian Pulisic getting the poor end of the bargain.

To make you aware of the situation, Alexi Lalas, on a usual Sunday morning, routinely asked his X followers to give him all the tea. Interestingly, an X user named The Great Reassessment Podcast posed a unique question to the USMNT icon, asking, “Would you take Clint Dempsey and Jozey Altidore in their prime or Pulisic and Reyna?”

Keen to give his insight, Lalas fervently backed the former duo of Clint and Jozey with a brief explanation, saying, “Dempsey and Altidore. Not even close. Their combined impact far outweighs that of Pulisic and Reyna. But that has everything to do with Reyna having yet to live up to billing. If I’m taking any 2 or the 4, I’m taking Dempsey and Pulisic.”

While for Lalas the ex-forward duo of the USMNT pips ahead of the current generational talented pair, there’s a catch. Clearly, the former American defender has passed the buck to Reyna, insisting that it’s because of the Borussia Dortmund star’s own limitations that he has failed to dominate to the extent of Dempsey and Altidore.

The 22-year-old may have started young, just like Pulisic at the German club, but has consistently struggled to maintain his form and secure his place as a starter. Unfortunately, injuries have significantly hindered his progress, and this season alone, he has played just 215 minutes across all competitions.

Had Reyna lived up to his expectations, then we would have surely seen a unique response from Lalas to the question asked by the X user. But the pundit cut some slack for Pulisic by only picking him alongside Dempsey, throwing a subtle shade at Reyna again. No wonder another USMNT icon questioned the youngster even getting his place back on the national team!

Only Christian Pulisic is backed for the USMNT starting XI role as Gio Reyna warned!

The inconsistency has become a problem for Gio Reyna. Many, including ex-USMNT forward Charlie Davies, believe he may have to forget his fixed spot on the national team. “I love watching him play. But an automatic starter? No, that doesn’t exist right now. Outside of Christian Pulisic and Antonee Robinson, there is no automatic starter. That’s just the way it is, and Gio has to stay healthy,” said Davies.  

Further taking a dig at the youngster, another American icon and former goalkeeper Tony Meola also highlighted Reyna’s place in Mauricio Pochettino’s team quite doubtful. “You don’t just walk into the national team,“ asserted Meola in an earlier discussion, making it clear that Gio’s place in the national team isn’t guaranteed, unlike Pulisic or Robinson. This surely is concerning for Reyna.

It seems the Dortmund star may need to step up his game. Otherwise, he risks not only losing his place in the US national team but also being blamed for letting his teammates down in such debates!