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Giovanni Reyna

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Giovanni Reyna
Reyna with Borussia Dortmund in 2020
Personal information
Full name Giovanni Alejandro Reyna[1]
Date of birth (2002-11-13) November 13, 2002 (age 22)
Place of birth Sunderland, England
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[2]
Position(s) Attacking midfielder, winger
Team information
Current team
 Borussia Dortmund
Number 7
Youth career
2015–2019 New York City FC
2019–2020 Borussia Dortmund
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2020– Borussia Dortmund 70 (11)
International career‡
2016–2017 United States U15 11 (7)
2017–2018 United States U16 2 (1)
2018–2019 United States U17 18 (8)
2020– United States 16 (4)
Medal record
Representing  United States
Men's soccer
CONCACAF Under-17 Championship
Runner-up 2017 Panama
CONCACAF Nations League
Winner 2021 United States
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of February 4, 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of December 3, 2022

Giovanni Alejandro Reyna (born November 13, 2002) is an American professional soccer player who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund and the United States national team. He is considered one of the best young players in the world.[3][4]

Reyna began his youth career with his hometown club New York City FC and had his breakthrough with Borussia Dortmund where he was included in The Guardian's "Next Generation 2019."[5] During the 2019-20 DFB-Pokal he became the youngest scorer in the tournament's history at the age of 17.[6] He was a candidate for the 2022 Golden Boy award.[7]

Born to U.S. national team players Claudio Reyna and Danielle Egan, he has represented the United States at several youth levels, scoring 16 goals in 31 youth caps. Reyna made his debut for the senior team in November 2020 and won the 2019-20 CONCACAF Nations League.[8] Individually he won a U.S. Soccer Young Male Player of the Year award in 2020.

Early life

Reyna was born in Sunderland, England to American parents, Claudio Reyna and Danielle Egan, when his father was playing for Sunderland A.F.C. Both of his parents are former soccer players who played for the United States men's and women's national teams, respectively. His family moved back to the United States, settling in Bedford, New York, in 2007 when Giovanni was five.[9] Giovanni joined the academy team of his hometown club, New York City FC, in 2015 and kept playing with the City FC Academy teams until 2019 when he moved to Germany to join Borussia Dortmund's academy.[10]

Club career

Borussia Dortmund

Reyna playing for Dortmund in 2020.

2019–21: Breakthrough and DFB-Pokal

On January 18, 2020, Reyna made his Bundesliga debut for Borussia Dortmund, coming on as a substitute in the 72nd minute, in a 5–3 win against FC Augsburg.[11] Hence, he became the youngest American, aged 17 years and 66 days, ever to appear in the Bundesliga, breaking a record previously set by Christian Pulisic.[11]

On February 4, Reyna scored his first professional goal in a 3–2 defeat to Werder Bremen in the DFB-Pokal Round of 16.[6] In doing so, he became the youngest goalscorer in German Cup history.[6] On February 18, 2020, Reyna became the third-youngest player ever to appear in a knockout game of the UEFA Champions League when he came on as a substitute in the 67th minute against Paris Saint-Germain. Nine minutes later, Reyna set up Erling Haaland's game-winning goal for Borussia Dortmund in the second leg of the Round of 16, becoming the youngest American to play and record an assist in a Champions League fixture.[12]

On May 16, Reyna was set to start his first Bundesliga match for Borussia Dortmund in their derby against Schalke, but suffered a calf injury during warm-ups.[13] Reyna returned on May 23 and played in the final 11 minutes of a 2–0 victory at VfL Wolfsburg.[14] On September 14, 2020, Reyna started in a DFB-Pokal match and scored with a free kick in a 5–0 win against MSV Duisburg.[15] On September 19, 2020, Reyna scored his first Bundesliga goal in a 3–0 win against Borussia Mönchengladbach, aged 17 years and 311 days,[16] to become the second youngest American scorer in Bundesliga behind Christian Pulisic, aged 17 years and 211 days.[17]

On October 3, 2020, in his third league appearance of the 2020–21 season, Reyna assisted 3 goals—a brace to Erling Haaland and an Emre Can header from a corner kick, to beat SC Freiburg 4–0.[18] As a result, Reyna became the first American to record a hat trick of assists in one of the 5 major European leagues since Steve Cherundolo did it for Hannover in March 2008, and the youngest player to ever do so in the Bundesliga.[19]

On December 5, Reyna scored his second Bundesliga goal against Eintracht Frankfurt, with a near post finish just inside the 18-yard box. This goal made him the second youngest American to score twice in the league after current Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic did so for the same club as Reyna, Borussia Dortmund.[20] On December 22, he was voted the U.S. Soccer's Young Male Player of the Year for 2020.[21]

Reyna was a second-half substitute for Dortmund in their 4–1 victory over RB Leipzig in the 2021 DFB-Pokal Final on May 13, 2021. His involvement in the match marks him as the youngest American to appear in a domestic cup final in Europe, a record previously held by his international teammate Christian Pulisic.[22]

2021–22 season: Injuries

On July 28, 2021, Dortmund announced that Reyna would wear the number 7 shirt for the upcoming season, previously worn by Jadon Sancho.[23] On August 27, he became the youngest player to make 50 Bundesliga appearances during the league match against Hoffenheim.[24]

Reyna suffered a series of injuries that caused him to miss the majority of the 2021–22 season.[25]

2022–23 season

Returning from injuries, on September 6, 2022, Reyna became the first American player to provide two assists in a Champions League match in a 3–0 win against Copenhagen.[26]

International career

After representing the United States at several youth levels, Reyna received his first call up to the senior United States squad for matches against Wales and Panama in November 2020.[8] On November 12, 2020, a day before his eighteenth birthday, Reyna made his senior national team debut against Wales.[27] In the following game, a 6–2 friendly victory over Panama, Reyna started and scored his first senior goal directly from a free kick.[28]

On March 24, 2022, during a third-round 2022 World Cup qualification match against Mexico at Estadio Azteca, Reyna dribbled past six Mexican defenders in a single run before being dispossessed; after the match it was compared to Diego Maradona's "Goal of the Century" run during the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup, which was also at the Azteca.[29][30]

In the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Reyna played only 52 minutes in four games. His sidelining throughout the group stage of the tournament led to speculation from analysts of possible issues within the team.[31] USMNT Head Coach Gregg Berhalter publicly addressed issues regarding an anonymous player for a lack of commitment and poor attitude, and confirmed that the team had held a meeting to determine if that player were to remain with the team in Qatar for the remainder of the tournament.[32] On December 12, 2022, Reyna confirmed that he was the aforementioned player about whom Berhalter was speaking, and apologized for his behavior while criticizing the decision to publicize the information.[33] In January 2023, it was revealed that Berhalter had been confronted during the tournament about damaging personal information that was floated to superiors. Danielle Egan, Reyna's mother, confirmed that she was the one who informed the U.S. Soccer Federation about the episode of violent behavior between Berhalter and his wife from 1991.[34]

Personal life

Giovanni is the son of former Rangers, Sunderland, Manchester City, New York Red Bulls, and United States player Claudio Reyna,[35] and Danielle Egan, a former member of the United States women's national soccer team.[36] Reyna is of Argentine-Portuguese descent through father’s parents and of Irish-American descent through his mother.[37] His older brother, Jack, died of brain cancer in 2012, at the age of 13.[38]

Reyna was born in Sunderland, England, while his father was playing for Sunderland. Reyna started his international career by playing with the United States' youth teams, but after impressing with Borussia Dortmund, he attracted interest from the Portuguese, English, and Argentine national teams.[39] Ultimately, in a March 2020 interview with Sports Illustrated, Reyna declared his intent to play for the United States: "I'm aware of the rumors, but it's quite clear for me. I only want to play for the United States. That's my home country."[40]

He was named after his father's former Rangers teammate Giovanni van Bronckhorst.[35]

Reyna's high level of play has earned him the nickname "The American Dream" by former teammate Erling Haaland.[41]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played February 8, 2023[42]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Borussia Dortmund 2019–20 Bundesliga 15 0 1 1 2[a] 0 — 18 1
2020–21 Bundesliga 32 4 5 3 8[a] 0 1[b] 0 46 7
2021–22 Bundesliga 10 2 1 0 1[c] 0 1[b] 0 13 2
2022–23 Bundesliga 13 5 2 0 5[a] 0 — 20 5
Career total 70 11 9 4 16 0 2 0 97 15
  1. ^ a b c Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  2. ^ a b Appearance in DFL-Supercup
  3. ^ Appearance in UEFA Europa League

International

As of match played December 3, 2022[42][43]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
United States 2020 2 1
2021 7 3
2022 7 0
Total 16 4
As of match played December 3, 2022.
Scores and results list United States' goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Reyna goal.[43]
List of international goals scored by Giovanni Reyna
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 November 16, 2020 Stadion Wiener Neustadt, Wiener Neustadt, Austria 2  Panama 1–1 6–2 Friendly
2 March 28, 2021 Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland 4  Northern Ireland 1–0 2–1 Friendly
3 June 6, 2021 Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, United States 7  Mexico 1–1 3–2 (a.e.t.) 2019–20 CONCACAF Nations League
4 June 9, 2021 Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy, United States 8  Costa Rica 4–0 4–0 Friendly

Honors

Borussia Dortmund

United States U17

United States

Individual

References

  1. ^ "FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019: List of Players: USA" (PDF). FIFA. October 31, 2019. p. 24. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 27, 2019.
  2. ^ "Giovanni Reyna" (in German). Borussia Dortmund. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  3. ^ "Who are the 39 best male players age 21 or under?". ESPN.com. April 29, 2021. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  4. ^ "NXGN 2021: The 50 best wonderkids in football | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
  5. ^ "Next Generation 2019: 60 of the best young talents in world football". The Guardian. October 10, 2019. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  6. ^ a b c "Gio Reyna, rising U.S. soccer star, scores gorgeous strike for first professional goal with Dortmund". CBS Sports. February 4, 2020. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
  7. ^ "Golden Boy 2022: Nominees, how to vote, previous winners & everything you need to know | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  8. ^ a b "USMNT ROSTER ANNOUNCEMENT: BERHALTER CALLS 24 PLAYERS FOR NOVEMBER CAMP MATCHES VS WALES AND PANAMA". ussoccer.com. November 3, 2020. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
  9. ^ "ABOUT JR10 CORP - Jr10clothing". Archived from the original on September 18, 2021. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  10. ^ "Dortmund sign U.S. youth Gio Reyna from NYCFC". ESPN FC. July 1, 2019. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  11. ^ a b "New York City FC academy alum Giovanni Reyna makes Bundesliga debut in Borussia Dortmund win". mlssoccer.com. January 18, 2020.
  12. ^ "USA teenager Gio Reyna overtakes Christian Pulisic in Borussia Dortmund and UEFA Champions League history books". bundesliga.com - the official Bundesliga website. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
  13. ^ Hamilton, Tom (May 16, 2020). "Dortmund, USMNT prospect Giovanni Reyna injured when set for first start". ESPN. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  14. ^ Uersfeld, Stephan (May 22, 2020). "USMNT hopeful Gio Reyna back for Dortmund, Favre admits Bundesliga return a 'danger'". ESPN FC. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  15. ^ Meyers, Brian (September 14, 2020). "BVB Post Match Report: BVB dismantle Duisburg 5-0". Fear The Wall. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  16. ^ "Giovanni Reyna becomes second-youngest American to score in Bundesliga". The Washington Post. September 19, 2020.
  17. ^ "WATCH: Gio Reyna scores first career Bundesliga goal". Stars and Stripes FC. September 19, 2020.
  18. ^ "Reyna stars for Dortmund in 4-0 win against Freiburg". Daily Herald. Associated Press. October 3, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  19. ^ "Dortmund teenager Reyna makes history with three-assist display against Freiburg | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
  20. ^ Jackson, Wilton. "USMNT's Reyna Scores Stunner for Dortmund". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  21. ^ a b "Dortmund's Gio Reyna named U.S. Soccer's Young Male Player of the Year". ESPN. December 22, 2020. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  22. ^ a b "Borussia Dortmund beats Leipzig 4-1 in German Cup final". AP. May 13, 2021.
  23. ^ "USMNT's Giovanni Reyna takes Jadon Sancho's No. 7 shirt at Borussia Dortmund". ESPN. July 28, 2021.
  24. ^ "Gio Reyna makes history as Borussia Dortmund beat Hoffenheim in dramatic thriller". bundesliga.com - the official Bundesliga website. Retrieved August 28, 2021.
  25. ^ Creditor, Avi. "USMNT's Reyna Exits in Tears After Suffering Another Injury for Dortmund". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  26. ^ "Supersub Gio Reyna Comes On And Becomes First American With 2 Assists In UCL Game". The18. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  27. ^ "USA 0 - Wales 0: Match Report & Stats".
  28. ^ "USA 6 - Panama 2: Match Report & Stats".
  29. ^ Creditor, Avi. "USMNT's Reyna Dazzles With Slaloming Dribble vs. Mexico". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  30. ^ mlssoccer. "USMNT's Gio Reyna draws Maradona comparison after solo run vs. Mexico | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  31. ^ Stejskal, Paul Tenorio and Sam. "Gio Reyna minutes limited". The Athletic. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  32. ^ Kyle Fansler (December 12, 2022). "Gregg Berhalter airs dirty laundry on Gio Reyna". worldsoccertalk.com. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  33. ^ "Gio Reyna criticizes Gregg Berhalter in Instagram post". World Soccer Talk. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  34. ^ "Gio Reyna's mother gave USSF Berhalter info". ESPN.com. January 4, 2023. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  35. ^ a b "Giovanni Reyna | U.S. Soccer Official Website". ussoccer.com. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  36. ^ "Gio Reyna: Who is Borussia Dortmund's latest American sensation?". bundesliga.com. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  37. ^ Wahl, Grant (December 12, 2018). "The Reyna Family's Story of Loss and Legacy". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
  38. ^ Wahl, Grant (December 12, 2018). "The Reyna Family's Story of Loss and Legacy". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  39. ^ "'The U.S. is my home' - Reyna shuts down reports of England call-up | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  40. ^ "Gio Reyna Ends Faux Suspense Over His International 'Choice', Will Play for USA". si.com. March 5, 2020.
  41. ^ "Erling Haaland Reveals Nickname for Wonderkid Teammate Gio Reyna". 90min.com. June 21, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  42. ^ a b Giovanni Reyna at Soccerway. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  43. ^ a b "Giovanni Reyna". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  44. ^ "Game Detail". concacaf.com.
  45. ^ "Christian Pulisic, Ethan Horvath lead U.S. over Mexico in Nations League final". ESPN. June 6, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  46. ^ CONCACAF [@CNationsLeague] (June 7, 2021). "Here is the Best XI of the Concacaf Nations League Finals" (Tweet). Retrieved June 7, 2021 – via Twitter.
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