Gio Reyna Surpasses His Father’s International Goal Record in U.S. Win Over Paraguay
CHESTER, Pa. (AP) — Unaware at first that he had passed his father in career international goals just two days after his 23rd birthday, Gio Reyna quickly reached out to his dad after the final whistle.
“I sent a few texts teasing him,” Reyna said. “He was obviously happy for me that I passed him. I had no idea. He was more making fun of me, the fact that was my first header I ever scored.”
Reyna surpassed Claudio Reyna by scoring in his first international start in 16 months, then set up Folarin Balogun’s tiebreaking goal in the 71st minute to lead the United States to a 2-1 victory over Paraguay on Saturday night in a friendly between World Cup-bound teams — a match that also sparked a late brawl.
A Prodigy With Challenges
Gio Reyna remains one of the biggest enigmas in American soccer. A prodigy whose parents both played for the U.S., he became the youngest American to appear in the Bundesliga at 17 years and 66 days when he debuted for Borussia Dortmund in 2020. However, his playing time dwindled due to repeated injuries, and former U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter nearly sent him home from the 2022 World Cup because of poor effort during training.
The situation escalated when Reyna’s parents accused Berhalter of a decades-old domestic abuse allegation, a move that ultimately cost Berhalter his job for half a year. After a U.S. Soccer Federation investigation cleared Berhalter of wrongdoing in the hiring process, he was rehired but later fired following a first-round elimination at the Copa America. Mauricio Pochettino then replaced him as head coach.
Turning a New Page With Gladbach and the National Team
Meanwhile, Reyna fell out of favor at Dortmund and transferred this summer to Borussia Mönchengladbach. A thigh injury in September sidelined him for nearly a month. Despite not having started a game since September 14 — which itself was his first start since March — Pochettino made the surprise decision to recall Reyna for the November friendlies.
“It was an opportunity for me to show that I belong here,” Reyna said. He hadn’t started for the U.S. since the Copa America in July 2024 and hadn’t scored since March 2024. Reyna estimated he was at 80-85% of full fitness.
“I definitely expect when I get back to definitely start more matches,” he added. “It’s nice to feel 75 minutes in the legs tonight with no problems at all.”
Adding a New Dimension to the U.S. Attack
Reyna brings a different dimension to the U.S. attack, whether playing from the wing or in central midfield. Pochettino told Reyna during Friday’s training that he earned the start and was free to create space and chances.
“For an attacking player it’s the best feeling when your coach gives you the confidence (to) sort of play what you feel and what you see,” Reyna said.
Teammates noticed the difference Reyna made on the field.
“I just told him when we got back in the locker room it’s my first time playing with him and boy, it’s fun to play with him,” goalkeeper Matt Freese said. “You can just give him, get him the ball and things will happen. He has the confidence and the talent to make things happen.”
Key Moments: Goal and Assist
Reyna opened the scoring in the fourth minute after Sergiño Dest and Cristian Roldan had shots blocked following Max Arfsten’s corner kick. Arfsten crossed to Reyna, whose header from eight yards glanced off the outstretched left fingertips of goalkeeper Orlando Gill and in off the crossbar.
This goal marked Reyna’s ninth international goal in 33 appearances. His father, the U.S. captain at the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, had scored eight times in 112 games from 1994 to 2006.
Paraguay’s Álex Arce took advantage of a defensive lapse to equalize in the 10th minute. Reyna helped break the tie in the 71st minute when his centering pass deflected off Damián Bobadilla to Balogun, who scored his eighth international goal and third in four matches.
“We can see today that he was great, scored and assisted,” Pochettino said. “The capacity to read the game and find the free space in between the lines I think was a nightmare for Paraguay.”
Looking Ahead to the World Cup
Reyna is eager to play in next year’s World Cup and redefine himself as the player many once believed he could be — not just the one known for injuries and controversy.
“Gio wanted to come into camp and do his thing,” Balogun said. “He wanted to put the noise behind him, and I felt like he did that today.”
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