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Sam Borden
Multiple Authors
IRVINE, Calif. — One could easily interpret Gio Reyna’s performance on Friday night as a powerful conclusion.
His goal? That stunning strike with the outside of his boot to crown the U.S. men’s national team‘s 4-1 victory over Paraguay?
Considering Reyna’s challenging four-year journey that began with a difficult 2022 FIFA World Cup and included numerous personal challenges and the tumultuous situation with former coach Gregg Berhalter, along with persistent injuries and limited playing time at both Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Mönchengladbach, his jubilant moment at SoFi Stadium felt like a significant closure, marking the end of a tough phase.
But what if it signifies a new beginning instead? That’s certainly Reyna’s hope, as well as U.S. Soccer’s.
U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino included Reyna on the World Cup team for his exceptional talent and unique skills that suggest a bright future filled with potential greatness.
Pochettino described Reyna as a “special situation,” and many share that sentiment. Even the most skeptical U.S. Soccer supporters, who believe Reyna has yet to prove himself this season, recognize his promise due to his speed, awareness, and passing skills. They just want to see more of it.
However, Reyna’s national team peers — who have witnessed his growth from youth leagues to high-stakes matches, alongside the struggles he faced in Qatar — argue that his unique talent is evident in every training session. They believe moments like Friday’s spectacular “trivela” shot are to be expected rather than surprising.
“We see those kinds of things from him every day,” said Christian Pulisic. “So it’s not a big shock. I told him he deserves it.”
The notion that Reyna “deserves” recognition might be contentious among outsiders, and that’s understandable. Fans, analysts, and even former players have their opinions based on his prior performances, injuries, and the challenges he faced during the last World Cup. He’s certainly given critics plenty to discuss.
Yet, it’s evident that many of Reyna’s colleagues — those who share the locker room, training camp, and bus rides with him — believe he has entered a new chapter. Reyna himself has expressed that he feels he has matured significantly in the last four years. The contrast between a 19-year-old in Qatar and a 23-year-old in his home World Cup, about to become a father, is profound.
“I’ve known for a couple of months,” Reyna said on Friday, revealing his future fatherhood through a goal celebration where he pretended to cradle a baby. “I was just waiting for the right moment to share it, and this felt perfect.”
And perhaps it truly was.
Reyna spoke with a shy smile about how his family had encouraged him to be more assertive on the pitch, to embrace opportunities more courageously, especially regarding shooting. The implication was clear: Due to his limited playing time, Reyna had been too reserved, searching for the perfect setups whenever he did get on the field.
“I know I have a good shot, but in my position, I tend to pass first,” he acknowledged. “They want me to be a bit more selfish at times.”
Even uttering the word “selfish” made Reyna wince, aware that some might misinterpret it. When asked whether he would heed his family’s advice and shoot more, he chuckled and nodded.
“Yeah, I think I should,” he said. “If such a chance comes up again in the next few games, I’ll seize it and hope for a similar outcome.”
This prospect would be remarkable for both Reyna and the U.S. However, regardless of whether he finds the net again, it’s hard to envision Pochettino not calling on him for his creativity and spark.
We cannot yet predict what the next chapter holds for Reyna. It could continue as it has been, or perhaps — at last — we might see the exhilarating potential that everyone has anticipated. The possibilities are boundless.
What we know for certain is this: Last Friday night marked a significant new beginning.