Berhalter: Teen star Reyna will get USMNT call-up in March
United States men's national team manager Gregg Berhalter confirmed what many American soccer fans were hoping for on Wednesday, telling reporters Borussia Dortmund sensation Giovanni Reyna will be called up to the senior team during the international window in March.
The 17-year-old, who's the son of former U.S. international Claudio Reyna, has enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence on the back of some stellar recent performances for Dortmund.
He had previously been named to the provisional 50-man squad for the Olympic qualifying tournament. But Berhalter, speaking during MLS Media Day, said Dortmund wouldn't release the teenage midfielder for that competition, paving the way for a call-up to the senior national team instead.
"We want our younger players performing and playing at a high level, and (Reyna) is doing that," Berhalter said, as quoted by Jeff Carlisle of ESPN. "And as a result of him doing that he gets an opportunity with the first team."
At 17 years and 97 days old, Reyna became the youngest American player to feature in the Champions League last week when he came off the bench against Paris Saint-Germain. He ultimately recorded an assist on Erling Braut Haaland's winning goal.
"You can see (Reyna) has rhythm now and he has a good understanding of what the team wants to do," Berhalter said. "And they're using him in a way where you know they're not asking him to take full responsibility in terms of he doesn't have to carry a team. He's playing a role, and he's executing his role.
"I can see (Reyna) playing as a winger. I can see him playing potentially as a No. 10 and a 4-3-3. He can play a number of different positions," Berhalter added. "I like him being able to affect the game on the offensive side, similar to Christian (Pulisic). They've been using him on the left. He can also play on the right so I think he gives you flexibility."
The United States have friendly matches scheduled for March 26 against the Netherlands, and March 30 against Wales.