Reyna Resurges: Goal and Assist in USMNT Victory Over Paraguay

Gio Reyna Shined in Return with the United States National Team

After 503 days of absence since his last match as a starter with the United States National Team, Gio Reyna returned to the field to prove his worth. In a friendly match against Paraguay, the talented player marked a milestone by scoring his first goal with the USMNT in 602 days, leading the team to a 2-1 victory. This performance represents a significant step forward for Reyna, who is seeking to secure his place in the squad for his second consecutive World Cup. Despite having played few minutes with his club, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Reyna demonstrated his ability to excel on the international stage. The national team coach, Mauricio Pochettino, trusted Reyna and included him in the starting eleven. The midfielder didn’t take long to make his mark on the match.

• Player Rating: Reyna impressed with a rating of 9/10 on his return.

In the fourth minute, after a corner kick, Reyna headed in a cross from Max Arfsten, opening the scoring. In addition, he participated in the play that culminated in the second American goal, assisting Folarin Balogun. With this goal, Reyna surpassed his father, Claudio, on the USMNT’s all-time leading scorer list, adding a reason for family pride.

Honestly, I had no idea. I didn’t even know how many goals I had, so I was happy to score and be back. I sent him some joking messages after the game, but he was happy for me, so it’s nice.

Gio Reyna

Although he made a mistake in the play of Paraguay’s goal, his overall performance was outstanding. He played 75 minutes, his longest time in a match since December 2024. Reyna attributes his good performance to the support of the Borussia Mönchengladbach staff, who helped him recover from an injury and reach a good level of physical fitness. He feels valued and ready to face new challenges. Despite doubts about his position on the team, Reyna seized the opportunity to prove his worth. Key players such as Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic, Malik Tillman, Timothy Weah, and Alejandro Zendejas were absent from the match, paving the way for Reyna to shine.

Pochettino acknowledged Reyna’s need for improvement, but highlighted his great performance in the match. The coach emphasized his ability to read the game and find spaces. The match was characterized by intense physical play, where the United States pressured Paraguay until achieving victory. Tanner Tessmann and Brenden Aaronson were key in this effort, while Diego Luna assisted Balogun in the second goal. The American team demonstrated aggression and determination, even in the final moments of the match, as evidenced by the confrontation between Gustavo Gómez and Alex Freeman, which sparked a fight in which only one red card was shown. Goalkeeper Matt Freese highlighted the team’s unity. The United States, with a streak of four games without losing, continues to rise. Pochettino seeks for the team to reach its best level for the World Cup. The next challenge will be against Uruguay, a team known for its physical and fierce play, and Reyna is ready to prove his worth once more.