Between visa holdups, health points and a scary dehydration episode, James Rodriguez has hardly ever performed for Minnesota United.
But when he stepped onto the sector final Sunday, his class was apparent.
Rodriguez supplied each assists in a 2-2 draw in opposition to Austin FC. And as he departed Minnesota for Colombia nationwide group coaching camp solely a handful of days later, he had confirmed he nonetheless possesses the elite ball-striking skill to make a distinction at this summer time’s World Cup.
It’s a disgrace American Gio Reyna by no means gave himself the identical probability.
Reyna will not be almost as well-known as Rodriguez, who has suited up for membership superpowers like Actual Madrid and Bayern Munich, gained a World Cup Golden Boot and a Copa America Golden Ball.
However the two are related on this regard: Each are technically gifted, athletically restricted males who’re most harmful because the gravitational middle of a group’s assault.
And if Reyna had actually wished a membership atmosphere the place he may show he might be that man for United States men’s national team manager Mauricio Pochettino, an MLS stint would’ve made much more sense than coming off the bench for one more Bundesliga season at Borussia Monchengladbach.
Reyna’s on-the-ball talents are uncommon sufficient in MLS {that a} group may’ve orchestrated their whole assault round him had they swooped in when he lastly departed Borussia Dortmund nearly a 12 months in the past.
There’s additionally no scarcity of present MLS managers who’ve helped coach him in his earlier USMNT stints. They embrace 2022 World Cup boss Gregg Berhalter, who’s now on the Chicago Hearth, and three of his former assistants; Nashville’s BJ Callaghan, Austin’s Nico Estevez and San Diego’s Mikey Varas.
The closed MLS league construction additionally would’ve made taking that probability on Reyna a far much less dangerous proposition. The worst that would’ve occurred? A group tries Reyna out, he sputters offensively and his defensive vulnerabilities are uncovered, and the group both adjustments course after the World Cup or endures a nasty season.
At Monchengladbach, the draw back of going all in on Reyna was much more dire, i.e. the prospect of relegation from the German high flight. That they had been preventing the drop for a lot of the season nearly assured Reyna can be a job participant fairly than a starring man. He entered the ultimate matchday of the Bundesliga season having performed solely 496 minutes in 18 appearances
Reyna’s remarks earlier this week urged even he wasn’t assured he had executed sufficient to warrant inclusion on Pochettino’s remaining 26-man squad.
Pochettino little doubt is aware of Reyna can do issues with the ball that few — if any — People can. However he ought to solely pull the set off if he believes Reyna is able to a real No. 10 position. Reyna’s limitations off the ball are too great to be definitely worth the tradeoff except the plan is to present him possession as typically as attainable.
A season or so on the MLS degree would’ve been a extra becoming stage for Reyna to reply that query. As an alternative, heading into crucial World Cup in U.S. Soccer historical past, it’s anybody’s guess.