CHESTER, Pa. — Over 16 months have passed since Gio Reyna last took the field as a starter for the U.S. national soccer team, yet it feels much longer given the media attention surrounding him since the last World Cup. When the match against Paraguay began, he found himself in central midfield as one of the final players evaluated by manager Mauricio Pochettino ahead of the selection for the upcoming North American tournament.
With Reyna’s position within the U.S. team diminishing and his career at a European club stagnating, Pochettino offered him a crucial opportunity. It only took Reyna four minutes to find the back of the net and later assist Folarin Balogun in securing a 2-1 victory at Subaru Park; his performance over 75 minutes exuded confidence.
“A performance like this can uplift everyone,” Reyna stated, having scored his first goal for the U.S. since March 2024. “However, what matters more is maintaining a strong six to eight months at my club. If I keep playing like I did today, I have a solid chance of making the World Cup squad and making a significant impact.”
His impressive play garnered praise from coaches and teammates alike. “I’m really pleased for him,” said Pochettino. “He demonstrated why he was selected to start, showing an outstanding ability to read the game and exploit gaps; he was a nightmare for Paraguay.”
Goalkeeper Matt Freese echoed this sentiment: “Playing alongside him is exciting. Just give him the ball and something good happens.”
Reyna might have another opportunity to shine on Tuesday when the U.S., fresh off four consecutive wins, faces Uruguay in Tampa. He last suited up for the national team during the CONCACAF Nations League finals in March, and hasn’t been a starter since July 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. That match against Uruguay marked the end of the Copa America and Greg Berhalter’s time as head coach.
Reyna’s relationship with Berhalter had improved after past tensions related to the 2022 World Cup, but with Berhalter gone, Reyna has a fresh start. Unfortunately, injuries and limited opportunities at his German club have overshadowed his potential in the U.S. setup.
A move from Borussia Dortmund to Mönchengladbach over the summer did little to revive his fortunes, as he has only made one start since March. Nevertheless, Pochettino labelled Reyna as a “special player,” indicating he intends to keep faith in him.
Time, however, is of the essence for Reyna to impress both Pochettino and in his club career. The manager aims to finalize his squad for friendly matches against Portugal and Belgium in March, followed by the announcement of his World Cup roster in May.
With notable American players like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Tim Weah absent this week, Reyna and his teammates seized the opportunity. “Gio aimed to focus on his performance and tune out distractions, and he certainly achieved that,” Balogun noted. “It was a strong showing in a tough match.”
Reyna appreciated the coaching staff’s support, saying, “They made me feel valued and prepared. When my mental game improves, my performance will follow. Now, it’s just about continuing to work hard.”
The U.S. team, especially Reyna, had a great start against Paraguay. After a corner kick, Alfsten pushed to the end line and set up Reyna for a header that bounced in off the crossbar, marking his ninth goal for the U.S. and his first since the 2024 Nations League Finals against Mexico, surpassing his father Claudio on the U.S. career scoring list.
“Honestly, I didn’t track how many goals I had,” Gio admitted. “I was just thrilled to score and to be back. I even teased my dad about it afterward, but he was happy for me.”
Paraguay struck back quickly in the 10th minute. Atlanta United’s Miguel Almirón beat Joe Scully down the left wing, delivering a cross that Alex Arce converted into a header for his first international goal.
Pochettino expressed concern: “We can’t afford to give up goals like that, it was too easy.”
The match also saw the return of Reyna’s Mönchengladbach teammate Scully, who was absent since March. With Scully starting at right-back, Sergiño Dest moved to a more attacking position.
With Tyler Adams sidelined, Cristian Roldan partnered with Tanner Tessman in defensive midfield. Balogun, a favorite among the strikers, wasn’t involved much until the 67th minute when Dest set him up for a powerful shot.
Pochettino made substitutions shortly after, bringing in Alex Freeman and Diego Luna. Just four minutes later, Balogun maintained possession long enough to find Reyna, who sent a cross that led to a goal from Balogun. This marked Balogun’s eighth goal for the national team and his third in a row during starts.
As Reyna left the field, he received a great ovation from the crowd of 17,224. Ricardo Pepi, who substituted for Balogun, missed a golden chance, leading to a tense final few minutes as Paraguay pressed for an equalizer. Freese held his ground and made necessary saves while also witnessing a near own-goal.
Tempers flared during the closing moments as a scuffle ensued on the sidelines. Paraguayan player Omar Alderete received a red card for his involvement.
Pochettino remarked, “That was a very dangerous situation.”
The U.S. players quickly defended Freeman, showcasing a unity that has developed in recent months. “There were some cheap shots from the other side,” Freese commented. “But we’re committed to standing by each other, regardless of when or where in the game.”
Fan Take: This news is significant for soccer fans as it highlights Gio Reyna’s potential resurgence in the U.S. national team, sparking hopes for a strong showing in the upcoming World Cup. His impressive performance could be a key factor in revitalizing not only his career but also the team’s prospects on the global stage.
