October will mark the first U.S. men’s national team camp that included both head coach Gregg Berhalter and attacking midfielder Gio Reyna since the 2022 FIFA World Cup and while plenty of attention will be on the duo’s rekindling relationship, the return of Reyna back in competitive action is also something to keep an eye on.

Reyna was included in Berhalter’s 23-player roster on Thursday ahead of home friendlies against Germany and Ghana. The Borussia Dortmund attacker has yet to feature in a match for the Bundesliga club this season after recovering from a calf injury that sidelined him since June’s Concacaf Nations League Final.

However, Reyna has been named to Edin Terzic’s squad in each of the last four matches for Borussia Dortmund, with two of those coming in the UEFA Champions League. Berhalter admitted Thursday that he did speak with Reyna “weeks ago” and believes their relationship is trending towards the right direction.

“I think it will take time,” Berhalter said in a press conference. “It is a difference between a Zoom call and being in person. But I think that both intentions are positive, and the idea is that we work together for the team to be successful, and I think we’re both prepared to do that.”

Reyna’s long-term role with the USMNT remains unknown, especially due to the amount of shuffling parts in the squad. Similar to club level, Reyna can feature in a number of different roles for the USMNT, playing in an attacking midfield position, a central midfield role, or even as a winger.

After having several injury issues in the past, Reyna will need to be monitored during the October window, especially with the Concacaf Nations League schedule returning for the Americans this November. Berhalter did not reveal where Reyna would play or how the USMNT is planning to use him against Germany or Ghana, but he is expected to feature in some capacity.

“We’re going to be creative with the minutes,” Berhalter said about Reyna. “We want to certainly get him on the field and work through both the Germany game, and seeing what position he plays. And then in the Ghana game, same thing, seeing how we can get him in different positions throughout the camp on the field.

“In terms of Gio, we see him being able to play three positions: center midfielder, attacking midfielder and winger,” Berhalter added. “And we use wingers in different ways. Sometimes the wingers are wide against the line, and sometimes they’re in between the lines, and we see him as more of an in-between-the-lines winger.”

Reyna delivered a Man of the Match performance in his last USMNT appearance, registering two assists in a 2-0 Nations League Finals victory over Canada.