Reyna Resurfaces with Decisive Performance as USMNT Extends Unbeaten Streak

CHESTER, Pennsylvania – Giovanni Reyna, the prodigiously talented but often sidelined U.S. men’s national team attacker, made a triumphant return to the starting lineup and the scoresheet, playing a pivotal role in the USMNT’s hard-fought 2-1 friendly victory over Paraguay. The match, contested on a crisp evening outside Philadelphia, marked a significant personal milestone for Reyna, ending a 503-day drought since his last USMNT start and a 602-day wait for an international goal. More broadly, the result underscored the burgeoning collective spirit and tactical resolve of the American squad under manager Mauricio Pochettino, extending their unbeaten run to four matches.

Reyna’s performance was not merely a personal triumph but a statement in his bid to secure a berth in his second consecutive FIFA World Cup squad. This aspiration had appeared increasingly tenuous given his limited club minutes this season, having logged only 147 minutes across all competitions for his current side, Borussia Mönchengladbach. However, a pre-match conversation with manager Pochettino on Friday confirmed Reyna’s inclusion in the starting XI, a decision that quickly paid dividends.

The midfielder wasted no time in making an impact. Just four minutes into the contest, following a U.S. corner kick that created a goalmouth scramble, the ball found its way to Max Arfsten. Arfsten’s precise cross was met by Reyna, who nodded it home to put the U.S. ahead. This early strike not only broke his lengthy scoring drought but also elevated his international goal tally to nine, surpassing his father, Claudio Reyna, on the USMNT’s all-time scoring list. The younger Reyna, seemingly unaware of the impending record, later admitted, "Honestly, I had no idea. I didn’t even know how many goals I had to be honest, so I was just happy to score, happy to be back. I sent a few texts teasing him after the game, but he was happy for me, so it’s nice."

Reyna’s influence extended beyond his goal. In the 75th minute, he was instrumental in the sequence that led to the USMNT’s game-winning goal. His incisive centering feed was deflected into the path of AS Monaco forward Folarin Balogun, who clinically slotted it past the Paraguayan goalkeeper. Balogun’s finish capped off a night where he consistently absorbed heavy challenges, demonstrating resilience in critical moments.

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Despite the overall positive showing, Reyna’s return was not without minor blemishes. His failure to adequately close down Paraguay defender Júnior Alonso initiated the defensive unraveling that led to Paraguay’s 10th-minute equalizer, expertly finished by Alex Arce. The sequence also highlighted a need for quicker and deeper defensive positioning from center-backs Tim Ream and Miles Robinson. However, such instances were infrequent for Reyna on the night, as he remained a constant presence, distributing passes and linking up effectively with teammates throughout his 75 minutes on the pitch. This marked his longest continuous playing time in a match since logging 77 minutes for Borussia Dortmund against TSG Hoffenheim on December 15, 2023, underscoring the physical progress he has made.

Reyna’s recent lack of playing time at Gladbach has been attributed to a combination of factors, including a lingering thigh injury and the inherent challenges of acclimatizing to a new club environment. While he has historically demonstrated the ability to perform for the national team even when club form has wavered, Reyna credited the support system at Gladbach for aiding his recovery and preparation. He reported being at 85% of full fitness, with expectations for further improvement. "Obviously, I had a little injury that I was still recovering from the last few weeks, but they’ve been fantastic with building me up to full fitness and slowly getting there as you can see that tonight," Reyna stated. "But yeah, I definitely expect when I get back to definitely start more matches, but they’ve been great. So I think it’s a lot of credit to them too and how they’ve sort of pushed me and believed in me and sort of set me back to be prepared to play on this stage." He further elaborated on his mental state at Gladbach, adding, "I feel really, really good, feel valued, feel important, feel ready to go. So obviously, when you feel better mentally, you can definitely play better on the field too."

Manager Pochettino echoed the sentiment regarding Reyna’s talent while emphasizing the need for sustained club participation. "[Reyna] confirmed that he’s a player that needs to improve because he needs to play more in his club," Pochettino observed. "But we can see today that he was great — scored and assisted — in the way that always showed the capacity to read the game and find the free space in between the lines. I think [he] was a nightmare for Paraguay and I think he did a very good job."

Despite the encouraging display, Reyna’s path to a guaranteed starting role and a World Cup spot remains challenging. The USMNT was notably without several key attacking figures for this friendly, including Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic, Malik Tillman, Timothy Weah, and Alejandro Zendejas – all players who either regularly feature in advanced roles or could contend for them. McKennie, for instance, was intentionally left in Italy by Pochettino to allow him to integrate with new Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti. The return of these prominent players will intensify competition for places, requiring Reyna to consistently demonstrate his value to Pochettino. Furthermore, maintaining fitness and securing consistent club minutes will be crucial for Reyna, a hurdle he has struggled with for an extended period. This performance against Paraguay, while impressive, must serve as a springboard for continued strong displays rather than an isolated breakthrough. With the World Cup countdown ticking at just 208 days, the urgency for consistency is paramount.

The collective performance of the USMNT, even with a significantly altered lineup, was a testament to the depth and evolving tactical identity under Pochettino. The match itself developed into a physical contest, reminiscent of last year’s 1-0 Copa América loss to Uruguay, a game that saw the U.S. gradually worn down by La Celeste‘s ferocious play. On this occasion, however, it was the USMNT that dictated the tempo, applying relentless physical and technical pressure, systematically pressing Paraguay until La Albirroja ultimately succumbed.

Midfielders Tanner Tessmann and Brenden Aaronson were particularly instrumental in tilting the balance of play in the USMNT’s favor through their work rate and distribution. The game-winning goal exemplified this collective pressing philosophy; substitute Diego Luna’s aggressive challenge dislodged the ball, which eventually found Balogun, setting up Reyna’s crucial involvement.

Veteran defender Tim Ream emphasized the importance of setting an aggressive tone from the outset. "I think it starts from being aggressive from the first whistle, and kind of in a way just laying a marker and having the other team understand that we’re here to fight, we’re here to play, we’re here to win a game and we’re not going to treat it as a friendly either," Ream stated, reflecting the team’s competitive mindset.

This unwavering resolve was further highlighted in stoppage time when a contentious grapple for the ball between Paraguay’s Gustavo Gómez and U.S. defender Alex Freeman escalated into a bench-clearing melee. In a chaotic scene, only one red card was issued, to Paraguay’s Omar Alderete, who was not even on the field. U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese encapsulated the team’s unity in the face of aggression. "There were a few cheap shots thrown from their end to be honest," Freese commented. "But it’s part of being a team, and we’re going to be standing up for each other no matter the moment, no matter the end of the game, beginning of the game, in the middle of the game on the sideline like that. That’s what it means to be a team, and I don’t think I’ve ever moved that quickly getting in there."

The USMNT’s current four-match unbeaten streak signifies a growing cohesion and a deepening understanding of Pochettino’s tactical directives. The manager has successfully cultivated an environment where players are comfortable embracing discomfort, a philosophy that is clearly yielding results. "Big credit, but that is not enough," Pochettino cautioned, maintaining his high standards. "We are happy. We need to keep going because we need to improve, improve, improve, and arrive to the World Cup in our best, in our peak. And that shows that it’s not about the name, it’s about the team, it’s about the collective, it’s about the idea of the altogether."

The team’s next challenge arrives swiftly, with a formidable encounter against Uruguay scheduled for Tuesday. La Celeste, a team renowned for its blend of physicality, grit, and technical prowess – evidenced by their concurrent 0-0 draw against Mexico – will provide another stern test. Reyna, feeling physically and mentally revitalized, will undoubtedly be keen to build on his impactful return and demonstrate that he is back in the fold for the long term.