Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Gio Reyna and Joe Scally on playing together at club level, bouncing back from injuries and their World Cup hopes
With Borussia Mönchengladbach having already secured their Bundesliga status for 2026/27, USA internationals Gio Reyna and Joe Scally took time to reflect on the current campaign, what it means to play together for the Foals and their hopes for this summer’s World Cup on home soil.
Reyna’s permanent move to Borussia-Park in the summer of 2025 ended a six-year stay at Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund, and had the added bonus of reuniting him with childhood friend Scally, with whom he shared three years at New York City FC’s academy between 2015 and 2018.
“I don't think we've really taken a day for granted, honestly,” said Scally of their time together at Gladbach so far. “We really enjoy the days on the training field, in the locker room, in the car every day. We've definitely enjoyed every day because we know it doesn't last forever.”
With that in mind, the pair have been eager to make the most of every moment. “I think we've had a lot of fun off the field too, which is something that I think we've probably enjoyed the most,” Reyna said. “We were already close, but it feels like we've gotten even closer, which felt impossible. It's been a good year together.”
That’s not to say their connection on the pitch hasn’t developed too. “I think we understand each other very well on the field,” said Scally. “We want to play together more than we have. I think in the time that we do play together, something good normally comes out of it.”
With 31 league appearances for Gladbach so far this season, 28 of which have been starts, marauding full-back Scally has put himself in a great position to be selected for the USA’s World Cup squad, with the tournament scheduled to take place in their homeland this summer.
For Reyna, however, a place on the roster is perhaps less secure, having made just four starts in an injury plagued season. “I think it's on everyone's mind. No spot is guaranteed or safe. It’s simple. I want to be there. It’s a World Cup in your own country” the 23-year-old said. “I try not to let it sort of take over my day and stress me out too much, but it is in the back of my mind. I want to be there, I want to represent my country and give everything for my team.”
The fact that the 36-time USMNT international has appeared in each of Gladbach’s last four games will stand him in good stead, however, while his late goal against Augsburg on Matchday 33 underlines just how effective he can be even with limited minutes.
Watch: Reyna netted his first goal of the season on the penultimate matchday
And the attacking midfielder insists he is ready to show what he can do at this summer’s global showdown: “I feel ready to play 90 minutes and feel that I can give my max at this moment of time. I feel very, very fit. I feel very sharp.”
The two New Yorkers can both focus solely on putting in their best possible performances on Matchday 34 in one final World Cup audition, with the Foals’ early season relegation worries having been put to rest well before the campaign’s end.
From Scally’s perspective, however, the team’s climb away from the danger zone was more a matter of when, not if: “We were always in and around relegation, but I don't think it was ever on our minds as players or as a team. We always felt that we had the quality to get out.”
With the World Cup now drawing ever closer, both will be determined to book their places in Mauricio Pochettino’s final squad. It would be something of a full-circle moment for Reyna, whose father, former Bayer Leverkusen and Wolfsburg midfielder Claudio, was part of the US roster the last time a World Cup was held in the States in 1994, albeit without making an appearance.
“My dad not playing in 94’, we spoke about it, but obviously I didn't play that much last time either [at the 2022 World Cup], Reyna said. “I know he had some good tournaments after that with the US, so, to have a bigger impact at this tournament would also be great.”
Saturday’s final-day meeting with Hoffenheim now offers one last chance for both Reyna and Scally to make their case before Pochettino names his World Cup roster.
And with the tournament now less than a month away, a strong finish to the Bundesliga campaign could yet be the perfect springboard for two childhood friends chasing the biggest moment of their careers together.
