In a compelling international friendly held outside Philadelphia, the United States men's national team secured a 2-1 victory over Paraguay, extending their unbeaten streak to four matches. The standout performer was Gio Reyna, who marked his return to the starting lineup with a goal and a decisive contribution to the second goal.
A Prodigal Son's Return
The match on Saturday was a significant one for Reyna, who had not started for the USMNT since their Copa América elimination on 1 July 2024. His inclusion by manager Mauricio Pochettino was seen as a surprise, given Reyna's limited playing time this season—just 150 minutes—since his loan move to Borussia Mönchengladbach. Pochettino's faith, however, was repaid almost immediately.
Reyna opened the scoring in the fourth minute with a rare header, his first as a professional, which he later described as a birthday gift to himself after turning 23 two days prior. The goal was his ninth for the national team, moving him past the eight scored by his father, former US captain Claudio Reyna.
Creative Partnership Flourishes
Reyna's influence extended beyond his goal. In the 71st minute, he was instrumental in the second goal. After a turnover forced by Diego Luna and Cristian Roldan, the ball found Folarin Balogun, who played in Reyna. His return pass to Balogun took a deflection but fell perfectly for the striker to score his third goal in four games.
Throughout his 75 minutes on the pitch, Reyna frequently combined with right wing-back Sergiño Dest. This partnership provided a much-needed creative spark for a US team missing several key players, including Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Tyler Adams. Dest, making only his third appearance since 2023, added flair and an unpredictable attacking threat, nearly scoring with a powerful shot in the second half.
Building Momentum for the World Cup
The performance offered a tantalising glimpse of the individual quality that could be vital for the USMNT at the World Cup next summer. Pochettino praised Reyna after the game, highlighting his ability to find space and read the game as a "nightmare for Paraguay." Teammates also expressed their admiration, with goalkeeper Matt Freese noting, "You just get him the ball and things will happen."
For Reyna, a player whose career has oscillated between brilliance and frustration, this match was a powerful statement. It demonstrated that when fit and in form, his unique talents can be the X-factor that helps the USMNT overcome difficult opponents. As the team builds towards 2026, having a fit and firing Gio Reyna and Sergiño Dest could be the key to unlocking their full potential on the world's biggest stage.
