Landon Donovan, one of the most iconic figures in U.S. soccer history, has shared his thoughts on the current situation of U.S. men's national team star Gio Reyna and why a move to Major League Soccer might be the right next step for the Borussia Dortmund player.
In an episode of Donovan and former USMNT goalkeeper Tim Howard’s new podcast, Unfiltered Soccer, the former LA Galaxy forward did not hold back when it came to criticizing the career choices of Reyna at the club level.
Donovan, who played most of his career in MLS, with a short stint through Europe in the Premier League and Bundesliga, was highly critical of the young American’s lack of playing time since debuting for the German giants, suggesting that he looks for a move to the United States to better his career. And according to Donovan, MLS would be the move.
Landon Donovan Gio Reyna quote: "You're a soccer player, not a soccer practicer."
“In a case like Gio, great you signed with Borussia Dortmund, great you went on loan to [Nottingham] Forest. You don’t play soccer. I used to hate this. You’re a soccer player, you’re not a soccer practicer” Donovan said. “You’re not a soccer contracted person. You’re a soccer player. Do you want to play soccer or not? I know injuries with Gio, but I just get so sick of this bullshit.
“People crap on MLS all the time and I get it and whatever. Guess what? Gio Reyna in MLS would play 300 games by now. Hopefully would’ve been fit, and he’s 20. Maybe then you go somewhere in Europe and play.
“It’s just frustrating because a guy that talented - a lot of people who are inside the camp say that he is the most talented guy” he added.
This is not the first time Donovan suggests a USMNT star makes the move to MLS amidst struggling at the European club level, with the U.S. legend recently pushing Christian Pulisic to look for a transfer back to the United States during his stint with Chelsea in the Premier League.
Pulisic would go on to sign with AC Milan in 2023, already making 70 appearances for the Italian giants, scoring 27 goals and providing 13 assists along the way — inarguably his best-ever form for a club in Europe.
