USMNT: Should Giovanni Reyna be a starter?

Giovanni Reyna is making waves at Borussia Dortmund. While only 17 years of age, could the winger be considered a starter for the USMNT?

The U.S. Men’s National Team consists of players based all over the world. Unlike the Premier League and England or Spain and La Liga or Germany and Serie A, the best homegrown American players do not stay in America for very long. The standard of Major League Soccer simply is not high enough to do so.

As such, when young American players start to make waves outside of America, in competitions that are a higher standard than MLS, there is an immediate eagerness to crown them the next great young talent of the national team.

This week, it is the turn of 17-year-old Giovanni Reyna. The Borussia Dortmund winger was only ushered into the first-team squad earlier this season, but he has impressed mightily in his early showings and has forced his way into the starting rotation.

Last week, Reyna made his debut in the Champions League, introduced midway through the second half of Dortmund’s 2-1 win over French champions, Paris Saint-Germain. Reyna provided a lovely assist or Erling Haaland’s second goal of the night and sent U.S. fans into a frenzy. This is an American teenager playing in the highest level competition in world football, against the two most expensive players in the history of the sport, and flourishing.

As a consequence, the discussion surrounding Reyna has turned to whether he should be considered a starter for the USMNT, even at just 17 years of age. In a recent ESPN Roundtable discussion, analyst Alejandro Moreno had no doubts:

"“If Gio Reyna is good enough to be an option to come off the bench in Champions League in a knockout round when you need a goal at home, then let me tell you something, he’s good enough to play and at least be in the picture of the national team as we speak.”"

His thoughts were echoed by Herculez Gomez:

"“I think most fans would be salivating at the thought of getting him, Tyler Adams, of getting Christian Pulisic, getting Weston McKennie all on the field together <…> Gregg Berhalter doesn’t have the luxury of turning players like this away. Times have changed. Yes, it is easier to get a US men’s national team call-up, but nobody who’s ever played in one of the best teams in the world like Borussia Dortmund, playing in Champions League, has ever been turned away. Today will not be the exception.”"

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Moreno’s argument is a fair one. Many USMNT players are starring at the MLS level and simply getting by in Europe. There are very few starting regularly in an elite European league. There are even fewer making appearances in the Champions League, and it is telling that Reyna has proven to Lucien Favre that he can be trusted on such a high-pressured stage.

And if the USMNT were playing a crucial World Cup qualifier tomorrow, I think that Gregg Berhalter would be wise to start Reyna. Like with Christian Pulisic before him, if he is good enough for Dortmund, he is good enough for the U.S. But there is more to it than just being good enough.

As is the case with any young player, throwing them into the fire can have long-lasting ramifications. Are they mentally ready for the pressure? What about the physical toll on their bodies? Should they not gain more experience in the youth ranks before being ushered in as the saviour of the entire national team? These are equally fair questions to ask.

Next. USMNT: Top 10 players to watch in MLS in 2020. dark

Ultimately, should Reyna be a starter for the USMNT? Yes, he probably should. But does that mean it is the best move for his career? Perhaps not. There is no need to rush him, even if he is ready.

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