Mauricio Pochettino breaks down decision to roster Gio Reyna
Mauricio Pochettino explains why he chose to roster the polarizing Gio Reyna on the USMNT World Cup team.
Video Transcript
Just I want to ask a question about Gio Reyna.
I know he struggled for playing time over the course of the season, but d- like, t-towards the end of the season, he got more minutes, he scored a goal.
What w- what was your impression of him, working with him, and why did you feel like he was a good fit for this roster?
Well, I think we, we all know, I think Gio, Gio have an amazing talent, and, and experience too.
and to play a non-official game or to play in different competition is not the same to play in the World Cup, and I think we need to trust in the player that have experience, and I think that is really important.
One thing is all d- during our process, we challenge this, this experienced player.
Why?
Because we wanted to get the best.
We wanted to be competitive.
We want to change this mindset.
But I think him from the last campus and I think Philadelphia, you know, before, like he was involved, I think he was fantastic.
He can add different things to the, to the team.
He have the quality, you know, to, to stop the ball, you know, and play and live with the, with our, you know, with the teammate.
I think have characteristics that make, you know, different, and I think I really trust on him.
But like, like trust in everyone, no?
But, I really trust on him and to give him the confidence.
I don't say that he's going to play the game, but, or, but he can help.
He can help because he's a different player, different talent, you know?
And I think in all the, the roster, you need to have a player like, like him.
