Alexi Lalas Urges USMNT Star To Consider MLS

When asked by a follower on X whether or not Reyna should come to MLS, Lalas said that he should "absolutely consider" a stateside move as "a legitimate option" if his playing time did not increase at Dortmund.

Reactions to the idea, shared on Instagram by his "Alexi Lalas' State of the Union Podcast" account, were swift and decisive.

"Absolutely not," said a commenter about Reyna coming to MLS. "His skill level is beyond that."

"Training on a daily basis with dortmund prepares him more than playing in MLS," said another cynical fan.

"He should leave and go somewhere else in Europe and play consistently," suggested one comment. "He can go play in France, Italy, Netherlands. MLS should be the last option for him."

Reyna did recently attempt a move to another European league. He spent six months on loan at Premier League team Nottingham Forest, playing just 231 minutes in 10 appearances before returning to Dortmund.

USMNT fans in Lalas' comments wanted Reyna to fight for his place at Dortmund or join  fellow Americans Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah and Tim Weah in Italy.

On his podcast this week, Lalas emphasized that playing time should be the top priority for Reyna right now, with the 2026 World Cup — which will be co-hosted by the United States — rapidly approaching.

"To see the best of Gio Reyna and for Gio Reyna to really matter with the USMNT, he has to be playing," Lalas said. "I’m not saying he won’t have other opportunities. But to completely dismiss the possibility of him coming to the MLS, I think that goes back to the insecurities out there.”