CHESTER, Pa. (AP) — Gio Reyna didn’t realize at first that he had passed his father on the all-time international goals list two days after his 23rd birthday, but he immediately contacted his father after the final whistle.
“I sent him a few emails teasing him,” Reyna said with a big smile. “He was obviously happy that I got past him. I had no idea. He was teasing me more about the fact that it was my first header.”
Gio Reyna outscored Claudio Reyna in his first international start in 16 months, setting up Folarin Balogun’s equalizer in the 71st minute to take the lead. USA vs. Paraguay 2-1 A brawl broke out in the final minutes of a friendly match between the World Cup teams on Saturday night.
He remains the biggest mystery in American soccer.
A prodigy whose parents both played for the United States national team, Reyna made his debut with Borussia Dortmund in 2020, becoming the youngest American to play in the Bundesliga at 17 years and 66 days old. However, his playing time decreased due to repeated injuries and then-U.S. national team coach Gregg Berhalter. I was about to drop him off at home. Due to lack of effort during training, he withdrew from participating in the 2022 World Cup.
Reyna’s parents retaliated by reporting decades of domestic violence allegations against Berhalter to the U.S. Soccer Federation. Berhalter lost his job for six months as a result of the altercation, but was rehired after a USSF investigation found misconduct in the hiring process. At that time, Berhalter fired rear Copa America 1st round loss and Mauricio Pochettino takes his place.
Meanwhile, Reina fell out of favor at Dortmund. Transferred to Borussia Mönchengladbach this summerIn September, he injured his thigh. I missed almost a month.
Pochettino created Surprise decision to recall Reina for friendly match in Novembernevertheless midfielder He hadn’t started a game since September 14th, but that was the first time since March.
“For me, it was an opportunity to show that I belong here,” Reyna said.
He has not started for the United States since the Copa America in July 2024. Haven’t scored since March 2024. Reyna estimated he was at 80 to 85 percent of his full strength.
“I definitely expect to start more games when I get back,” he said. “I’m glad I got through 75 minutes tonight with no problems with my legs.”
Reyna gives a different dimension to America’s attack, whether from the wing or from the center of midfield. Pochettino told Reina during training on Friday that he had earned a starting spot and was free to create space and chances.
“For an offensive player, it’s a great feeling when your coach gives you the confidence to play exactly how you feel and what you see,” Reyna said.
Teammates noticed a difference in attack.
“That’s what I told him when I got back to the locker room. It’s my first time playing with him, but man, it’s fun to play with him,” goaltender Matt Freese said. “Just give him the ball, let him have the ball and things will happen. He has the confidence and the ability to get things done.”
Reina scored in the fourth minute after Sergiño Dest and Cristian Roldan had shots blocked from a corner kick by Max Alfsten. Alfsten crossed for Reina and his header from eight yards hit goalkeeper Orlando Gil’s outstretched left fingertips and hit the crossbar.
Reyna’s ninth goal came in his 33rd international appearance. His father, who captained the U.S. team at the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, scored eight goals in 112 games from 1994 to 2006.
Alex Arce exploited a gap in the defense to equalize in the 10th minute. Reyna helped break the tie in the 71st minute when a centering pass deflected from Damien Bobadilla to Balogun, who scored his eighth international goal and third goal in four games.
“Today you can see that he was great with both his goals and his assists,” Pochettino said. “I think the ability to read the game and find the empty spaces between the lines was a nightmare for Paraguay.”
Reyna is eager to play in next year’s World Cup and redefine himself as the player many thought he could be, rather than the player known for injuries and controversy.
“Gio wanted to come into camp and do what he was supposed to do,” Balogun said. “He wanted to drown out the noise, and I felt like he did that today.”
___
AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
