Gio Reyna keen to repay Mauricio Pochettino’s faith as World Cup approaches

Gio Reyna is back with the US national team despite garnering little playing time at Mönchengladbach. Photograph: John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images

Gio Reyna admitted on Thursday that news of his call-up to the US national team may have come as a surprise.

“I guess you could say it was sort of one of [Mauricio Pochettino’s] more difficult decisions, or I guess controversial decisions to maybe bring me in,” he told reporters in Atlanta, where the US national team has gathered ahead of friendlies against Belgium and Portugal. “Again, I can’t appreciate it enough. Love this team, love this staff, love this group of people. So just always honored to be here.”