Gio Reyna’s career has hit a standstill at Borussia Dortmund, and his European prospects are growing dim. A fresh start is long overdue—and MLS could offer the platform he needs to rebuild his confidence, reignite his USMNT ambitions, and finally live up to the promise that once had him pegged as America’s next big thing.
Why MLS Might Be Gio Reyna’s Best Shot at Reviving His Career and Reclaiming Stardom
As Borussia Dortmund battled Mamelodi Sundowns under the summer heat in Cincinnati during the Club World Cup, Gio Reyna wasn’t even on the bench. He was back in the locker room, watching alongside other unused players—a viral image that spoke volumes about where he stands at the club. Not sidelined, but effectively invisible.
Once hailed as one of the most naturally gifted players in the U.S. Men’s National Team setup, Reyna has now drifted into the periphery. He’s still only 22, but his development has stagnated to the point where he’s no longer seen as a reliable asset—at Dortmund, at least. The days of waiting for a Reyna renaissance in yellow and black are over. A move is inevitable. The real question is where he should go next.
Reports suggest two main possibilities: Serie A, where Parma have shown interest, and Major League Soccer, with LAFC and NYCFC named among potential suitors. On paper, Europe may seem like the logical continuation for a player of Reyna’s pedigree. But in reality, MLS might just be the best place for him right now.
MLS Fits Reyna’s Profile Better Than Europe Right Now
A move back to the U.S. is often painted as a step down, but in Reyna’s case, it might be the one move that helps him stay relevant. The American playmaker needs a league that offers consistent minutes, space to play his natural game, and patience—something he’s unlikely to find in Italy.
Serie A, for all its tactical prestige, is an unforgiving league for luxury players. Its hard-running midfielders, deep defensive blocks, and physical defenders don’t offer much room for a creative No. 10 to thrive. Reyna’s rumored move to Parma is especially baffling. The club flirted with relegation last season, scored fewer goals than they conceded, and held less than 45% possession. Their rebuild is being led by Carlos Cuesta, a first-time head coach who’s only 29. That doesn’t exactly scream stability.
A short three-year contract and low $7 million fee also suggest Parma see him more as a gamble than a cornerstone. It’s hard to imagine him thriving in that kind of environment.
MLS, on the other hand, is a haven for high-talent, low-defensive-effort creators. Just look at Riqui Puig. Before injury struck, Puig was posting MVP-level attacking numbers with LA Galaxy despite offering virtually nothing defensively. The league still celebrates players who can light up a game with one moment of magic. Reyna, when healthy and confident, absolutely falls into that category.
The Stats Show Why Bundesliga Is No Longer the Right Fit
Dig into the numbers and it’s clear Reyna’s game is no longer tailored for high-tempo European football. He ranks in the 1st percentile for interceptions, 15th for tackles, and 32nd for blocks among attacking midfielders globally, according to FBRef. Those metrics simply don’t cut it in a league like the Bundesliga, where pressing and defensive contribution are table stakes.
Injuries have played their part too. Reyna has suffered at least eight different muscular injuries since 2021, including three separate right hamstring issues. He’s missed 80 matches and now ranks among the slowest outfield players at Dortmund. That physical decline has been a major factor in his fall from prominence—and it won’t be fixed on the bench.
MLS, with its slower pace, shorter travel, and more forgiving intensity, could provide the environment he needs to gradually rebuild his physical condition without being overexposed.
He Still Has a Place in the USMNT Picture—But Time Is Running Out
Mauricio Pochettino, now managing the USMNT, still sees potential in Reyna and hasn’t shut the door on his inclusion for the 2026 World Cup. In March, the Argentine said, “It’s a player we need to recover and put to the same level as the rest of the players.” His Gold Cup squad leaned heavily on domestic-based talent, which indicates that playing in MLS won’t be a disqualifier.
That shift in philosophy matters. Under Berhalter, domestic players often had to outperform their European peers to even be considered. Now, form seems to matter more than geography. If Reyna can find consistency in MLS, he’ll put himself back in contention.
And perhaps, just as importantly, MLS needs someone like him too. American academies are producing better players than ever—but most of them leave. There isn’t a singular American star lighting up the league. Reyna could be that player.
Sometimes a Step Back is the Only Way Forward
It’s easy to understand why Reyna might be reluctant. At 17, he was playing Champions League football. Now, he risks being seen as a cautionary tale. He’s earning $50,000 a week, living in a footballing city with legacy and lore, and playing for a club that will again compete in Europe this season. That’s a hard comfort zone to leave.
But comfort zones rarely produce comebacks.
At this point in his career, Reyna needs to play. Not cameo off the bench. Not train in the shadows. Play. Every week. For 90 minutes. In a system built to let him do what he does best—create. That opportunity doesn’t exist at Dortmund. It likely won’t exist at Parma. But it might exist in MLS.
This doesn’t have to be the end of the road in Europe. At 22, Reyna has time. If he rediscovers his rhythm and proves his durability, there will be suitors. But staying in limbo, clinging to the idea of Europe without a plan, is a surefire path to irrelevance.
Gio Reyna doesn’t need to prove he can play at the top level—he’s already done that. What he needs now is to remind the world, and himself, that he still matters. And for that, MLS may be the right place, at exactly the right time.
