Alexi Lalas sides with Landon Donovan in heated Gio Reyna debate

Reyna - and the possibility of a move to the MLS - has become the topic of a heated debate in the American soccer world as his promising career continues to stutter.

Still only 22 years old, Reyna is in his sixth season with Borussia Dortmund but injuries and inconsistent form has limited the attacking midfielder to just 13 league starts in the last four seasons - including just two starts in a loan spell with Nottingham Forest.

This year, a groin strain cost Reyna more than two months of action and he is yet to start a Bundesliga match for Dortmund, making it more than a year since he was chosen in the German club's starting XI for a league game.

The promise that was once so evident hasn't disappeared but the excitement has faded amidst a supremely frustrating period.

Fit again, Reyna has come off the bench in each of Dortmund's last three Bundesliga matches while stars and legends of the U.S. soccer world have shared their opinions on possible next steps for his career - Landon Donovan suggesting he should move to the MLS.

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"In a case like Gio, great you signed with Borussia Dortmund, great you went on loan to [Nottingham] Forest," Donovan said on his podcast with Tim Howard 'Unfiltered Soccer'.

"You don't play soccer. I used to hate this. You're a soccer player, you're not a soccer practicer. 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 22. 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 is the most talented guy."

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Coming from a U.S. legend - and one who had played almost his entire career in the MLS - those words carry weight and it has yielded strong responses on both sides of the argument.

Eric Wynalda, who became the first American-born player to appear in the German top-flight, took offense to the suggestion, writing on X: "Great if you would stop talking about things you don't understand.

"Small fish in the ocean aren't interested in advice from small fish in a small pond.

"They are trying to navigate this thing called ambition."

Now, speaking on his podcast 'Alexi Lalas' State of the Union', the outspoken For Sports analyst shared his view, taking a shot at those who he believes are unfairly dismissing the MLS and American soccer.

"For years and years I have talked about the legendary inferiority complex and insecurities we have (with the MLS). And maybe some of that is dissipating, that comes with time.

"But there absolutely is still that insecurity out there in terms of how we look at ourselves, how we look at our game, how we look at American soccer.

"It's a perception vs reality type of thing. When it comes to myself or Landon talking about this it's relative to a player not playing.

"Pochettino has come in and said I don't care where you're playing, I just want you playing. Some of that might be lip service but the reality is that you need to play.

"Gio Reyna I think has been given more leash than anyone else out there and I think for good reason. Because I think everyone recognizes he is and maybe more importantly how good he can be.

"But to see the best of Gio Reyna and for Gio Reyna to really matter with the USMNT, he has to be playing.

"It's not happening right now with Borussia Dortmund and 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."

Lalas has suggested Reyna should consider a move to the LA Galaxy as the new MLS Cup champions look to replace star creative force Riqui Puig who will miss much of the next season with a serious ACL injury.

The first step for Reyna wherever his career takes him will be to stay fit and play regular minutes. In an ideal world, that would still be with Borussia Dortmund or a club of relatively equal standing.

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But if that proves impossible, then USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino will need to see Reyna playing.

Still supremely talented - and young - Reyna should have offers in Europe if he chooses to leave Dortmund but it would be quite a statement for the MLS if they were to sign such a highly regarded USMNT player.