USMNT legends Landon Donovan, Tim Howard question Gio Reyna's decision to stay with Dortmund and not consider MLS

U.S. international Gio Reyna has played just 54 minutes this season for his club team, Borussia Dortmund, prompting USMNT legends Landon Donovan and Tim Howard to call upon the 22-year-old to consider his future prior to the 2026 World Cup.

"In a case like Gio, great you signed with Borussia Dortmund, great you went on loan to Forest. You don't play soccer," Donovan said emphatically on the Unfiltered Soccer podcast with co-host Howard. "I used to hate this. You're a soccer player, you're not a soccer practicer. You're not a soccer contracted person. You're a soccer player. Do you want to play soccer or not?"

Reyna has returned from a lengthy spell with injury, but his playing time and role remain uncertain at Dortmund. The American's best season came in his breakout campaign at 17 years old during 2020-21, where he played 1,970 minutes and made nine goal contributions.

While injuries have played a role in his diminishing playing time, Dortmund have also continued to add attacking talents who can play in his position, limiting opportunities to regain his form. With the January transfer window opening in less than a month, he could be a U.S. international to keep an eye on. Donovan, if course, is famously known for turning down several moves to star in Major League Soccer.

Donovan also said this on the podcast: "Now I know injuries [were a factor] with Gio. I just get so sick of this bullsh*t. People crap on MLS all the time and I get it. Guess what? Gio Reyna in MLS would play 300 games by now. Hopefully would've been fit, and he's 20. Maybe then he would've gone somewhere in Europe and gone and played. It's just frustrating because a guy with that talent [should be further ahead]. A lot of people in camp say he's the most talented guy."

Howard added this on the podcast: "The U.S. doesn't have the luxury like Brazil. If you miss on one [great player], so what, there's another one... We don't have that luxury. So when you get a player like a Christian Pulisic or Tim Weah - Gio Reyna is special man. He's got magic in his boots, he's got a toughness and a doggedness about him that not every US player has. He's physically very gifted...

"Because of that I want to see him play more. It's so difficult to manage those elements of your career. Between now and the World Cup, I hope things get better. Either he moves on or plays more at Dortmund, because he's a special talent."

Reyna's Dortmund return to action Dec. 7 when they travel to Gladbach. It remains to be seen if the midfielder will see the pitch in that game.