2022 USA Home – Gio Reyna #7 Large

The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar marked a reset and reintroduction for the United States Men’s National Team on the global stage. Managed by Gregg Berhalter, the U.S. returned to the tournament after missing out in 2018, bringing the youngest squad in the competition and signaling a long-term project built around athleticism, pressing, and technical development.

Drawn into Group B with England, Wales, and Iran, the U.S. delivered a disciplined group-stage performance. They opened with a 1–1 draw against Wales, followed by a strong 0–0 draw with England, where the Americans outplayed their rivals for long stretches. A tense 1–0 victory over Iran in the final group match secured qualification to the knockout rounds, showcasing composure under pressure.

In the Round of 16, the U.S. faced the Netherlands and were eliminated 3–1, undone by clinical finishing and defensive lapses despite competitive spells. Overall, the tournament was widely viewed as a success — not for results alone, but for establishing identity, belief, and a clear generational foundation heading toward 2026.

The 2022 USA home kit, produced by Nike, featured a clean white base with subtle navy detailing and minimalist striping. Traditional and understated, the shirt reflected a return to fundamentals and became closely associated with a youthful squad announcing itself on football’s biggest stage.

2. Player’s Impact – Giovanni Reyna

The 2022 World Cup was a complex and highly scrutinized tournament for Giovanni Reyna. Entering Qatar as one of the most technically gifted players in the squad, Reyna’s role was shaped by fitness concerns, tactical balance, and competition for attacking positions.

Reyna made limited appearances, primarily as a substitute, operating as an attacking midfielder or inverted winger. While his minutes were restricted, his technical quality was evident in tight spaces — sharp first touches, intelligent movement between lines, and the ability to progress play quickly under pressure. In a squad built heavily on structure and work rate, Reyna offered a different profile: creativity and improvisation.

Tactically, Berhalter prioritized defensive balance and pressing consistency, which limited Reyna’s opportunities to start. Despite this, his presence stretched opponents late in matches, and his ability to retain possession in advanced areas added control during closing phases. The tournament also sparked broader discussion about squad management and player roles, placing Reyna at the center of one of the World Cup’s most debated U.S. storylines.

While Qatar did not showcase Reyna at full capacity, the tournament represented an important chapter in his international development — a reminder that his ceiling remains among the highest in the U.S. player pool and that his long-term influence is still unfolding.

3. Full Squad List (United States – 2022 World Cup, Qatar)

Manager: Gregg Berhalter

Goalkeepers:
Matt Turner, Sean Johnson, Ethan Horvath

Defenders:
Sergiño Dest, Antonee Robinson, Walker Zimmerman, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Cameron Carter-Vickers, DeAndre Yedlin, Shaq Moore

Midfielders:
Tyler Adams (captain), Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, Kellyn Acosta, Luca de la Torre, Giovanni Reyna

Forwards:
Christian Pulisic, Timothy Weah, Brenden Aaronson, Josh Sargent, Haji Wright, Jesús Ferreira