“Life gives us countless games to play, but not all come with a replay button,” a thought many relate to Gio Reyna’s current journey—right? With just 54 minutes on the pitch, the 22-year-old USMNT star finds himself at a crossroads: stay patient in Europe or head where the spotlight beckons. As whispers grow about his dwindling chances for the 2026 World Cup, fans and experts alike are debating his next move. Now, one USMNT icon has added more fuel to the debate, urging Reyna to reconsider his European aspirations.

Meanwhile, back home, the LA Galaxy is one win away from making history as six-time MLS champions but face a massive void in their midfield after Riqui Puig’s heartbreaking ACL injury. While some believe in waiting for your moment, others argue that grabbing every opportunity is the key. So, don’t you think this could be Reyna’s chance to get more game time?

Alexi Lalas reveals Gio Reyna’s next big break could be in MLS

David Mosse, in a lively chat with Alexi Lalas on Alexi Lalas’ State of the Union Podcast, dived headfirst into a hot topic raised on the X platform: “Would Gio Reyna benefit from an MLS transfer?“ The question sparked a debate that could easily fill a stadium with opinions. And as usual, Lalas didn’t hold back, throwing a playful curveball into the mix: “He’s available, obviously, he’s American, and he needs a place where he’s going to play. From a positional standpoint, while he’s not Ricky Puig, he actually has some Puig-ish qualities there.”

Mosse, like every other tactician, took the baton and ran with it. “Yeah, if we’re just sort of in theory suggesting the possibility that a loan move back to MLS, maybe to the Galaxy, for a short period might help get Gio Reyna’s career back on track, I don’t think it’s that crazy, to be honest.” Could Reyna be the one? Fresh off the heartbreak of Puig’s season-ending ACL injury, for the Galaxy, this isn’t just about getting Reyna back in the game but also filling that void in their midfield with someone who can bring creativity and flair like Puig.

It’s a mic-drop moment that flips the narrative: Does Gio Reyna need MLS to revive his career, or does MLS need Gio to showcase its magic? Either way, earlier, Landon Donovan didn’t hold back, expressing “I know injuries with Gio, but I just get so sick of this bullsh*t. People crap on MLS all the time, and I get it, whatever. Guess what? Gio Reyna in MLS would play 300 games by now. Hopefully, he would’ve been fit. Despite the uncertainty of my future, I chose to embrace it and believe in my skills.“ So is this what Reyna feels about himself?

Will Bochum be best for Gio Reyna’s future?

Time is running out for Gio Reyna; with just 141 appearances since joining Borussia Dortmund in 2019, Reyna’s career risks being overshadowed by unfulfilled potential. The question looms large: Would a move to a club like Bochum work?

Earlier this year, ESPN FC delved into the topic, sparking spirited debate. Host Jan Aage Fjortoft highlighted a summer report linking Reyna to Bochum on a potential loan deal, a move Dortmund reportedly blocked. Fjortoft argued that what Reyna truly needs isn’t just a club but a platform to play—“It doesn’t matter. You have to play football. You have to go somewhere and play football.“

For Gio Reyna, the next two years aren’t just important; they’re defining. Whether it’s at Bochum or another club, the choice boils down to one thing: playing time.