Tyler Adams Says Critics Are ‘Disrespectful’ Toward Gio Reyna — Here’s Why He’s Defending His Teammate

The 2026 World Cup is heating up fast, and the U.S. men’s national team is already making a statement. After a dominant win over Paraguay, the squad now gears up for a Friday showdown against Australia at 3:00 p.m. ET. But while fans are buzzing about the team’s form, one storyline has quietly simmered beneath the surface: the treatment of Gio Reyna.

For months, Reyna has weathered a storm of outside noise — questions about his role, his attitude, even his place in the starting XI. But USMNT defender Tyler Adams isn’t having any of it. In a recent interview with Andscape, Adams took a direct shot at those who have been quick to pile on the 23-year-old attacking midfielder.

“People probably don’t understand how close Gio and I are — with both of us being from New York,” Adams said. “It’s kind of like we’re always on the same wavelength, and we grew up around each other. I always heard about him, and he probably heard about me. He was at NYCFC. I was at Red Bull. We just jelled together.”

Adams didn’t stop there. He framed the criticism as both personal and unfair, while making a larger point about Reyna’s talent.

“We always seem to find each other in the right groove, in the right moment. When he comes into the game, he’s a special player, and I think people are starting to realize it again. People kind of speak a little bit disrespectful on his name sometimes, but what that kid is capable of with the ball at his feet — he’s in the top echelon in the world,” Adams said. “So, he adds a different dimension to the way that we play, and he’s going to be a critical player.”

Why This Matters Now

The timing of Adams’ defense isn’t incidental. Reyna has had an up-and-down relationship with the national team spotlight — from injury setbacks to lingering questions about his fit alongside Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun. But with Balogun’s rapid rise and the U.S. squad looking deeper than ever, Reyna’s creativity off the bench or in the starting lineup could be the difference-maker in knockout rounds.

Adams, who anchors the midfield with a mix of grit and intelligence, sees Reyna as a player who can unlock defenses that otherwise stifle the U.S. attack. Against Australia — a team with three points and a physical style — Reyna’s ability to glide through tight spaces could be exactly what the Americans need to keep their tournament momentum alive.

The USMNT has not confirmed any lineup changes for Friday’s match, but Adams’ comments signal a locker room united behind one of its most gifted — and most debated — talents.