Giovanni Reyna

Giovanni Reyna
Reyna playing for 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 91 (13)
2024 → Nottingham Forest (loan) 9 (0)
International career‡
2016–2017 United States U15 11 (7)
2017–2018 United States U16 5 (0)
2018–2019 United States U17 18 (8)
2020– United States 31 (8)
Medal record
Men's soccer
Representing  United States
CONCACAF Nations League
Winner 2021 United States
Winner 2023 United States
Winner 2024 United States
CONCACAF Under-17 Championship
Runner-up 2017 Panama
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of August 24, 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of July 1, 2024

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.

Reyna began his youth career with his hometown club, New York City FC, and had his breakthrough with Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund. During the 2019–20 DFB-Pokal he became the youngest scorer in the German Cup's history at the age of 17, and was a part of the team that won the following 2020–21 DFB-Pokal.[3] In 2020 he became the youngest Bundesliga player to create a hat trick of assists.[4] He was on the final shortlist for the 2021 Golden Boy and 2021 Kopa Trophy.[5]

Born to U.S. national team players Claudio Reyna and Danielle Reyna, 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 CONCACAF Nations League in 2021, 2023, and 2024, winning the best player overall of the latter.[6] Individually he won a U.S. Soccer Young Male Player of the Year award in 2020.

Early life

[edit]

Reyna was born in Sunderland, England, to American parents, Claudio Reyna and Danielle Reyna, when his father was playing for Sunderland. 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 Reyna was five years old.[7] He joined the academy team of his hometown club, New York City, in 2015 and kept playing with the City academy teams until 2019, when he moved to Germany to join Borussia Dortmund's academy.[8]

Club career

[edit]

Borussia Dortmund

[edit]

2019–20 season: Breakthrough

[edit]

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.[9] 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.[9]

On February 4, Reyna scored his first professional goal in a 3–2 defeat to Werder Bremen in the DFB-Pokal Round of 16.[3] In doing so, he became the youngest goalscorer in German Cup history.[3] 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 first leg of the Round of 16, becoming the youngest American to play and record an assist in a Champions League fixture.[10]

On May 16, Reyna was set to start his first Bundesliga match for Borussia Dortmund in their derby against Schalke 04, but suffered a calf injury during warm-ups.[11] Reyna returned on May 23 and played in the final 11 minutes of a 2–0 victory at VfL Wolfsburg.[12]

2020–21 season: DFB-Pokal win

[edit]

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.[13] On September 19, 2020, Reyna scored his first Bundesliga goal in a 3–0 win against Borussia Mönchengladbach, aged 17 years and 311 days,[14] to become the second youngest American scorer in Bundesliga history behind Christian Pulisic, who was aged 17 years and 211 days.[15]

Reyna playing for Dortmund in 2020.

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.[16] 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.[17]

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 Christian Pulisic did so for the same club as Reyna, Borussia Dortmund.[18] On December 22, he was voted the U.S. Soccer's Young Male Player of the Year for 2020.[19]

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.[20]

2021–22 season: Injuries

[edit]

On July 28, 2021, Dortmund announced that Reyna would wear the number 7 shirt for the upcoming season, previously worn by Jadon Sancho.[21]

On August 27, he became the youngest player to make 50 Bundesliga appearances during the league match against Hoffenheim.[22]

Reyna suffered a series of injuries that caused him to miss the majority of the 2021–22 season.[23]

2022–23 season: Super sub heroics

[edit]

Returning from injuries, on October 22, 2022, he scored his first Bundesliga goal in 421 days against VfB Stuttgart, adding to a 5–0 victory.[24] 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.[25] On November 5, he scored a penalty goal against VfL Bochum, putting his side up 2–0.[26]

Returning from the 2022 FIFA World Cup, on January 22, 2023, he scored a game-winning goal off the bench against FC Augsburg in the 78th minute, winning 4–3.[27] A week later, on January 25, he scored another game-winning goal off the bench in stoppage time in the 93rd minute against Mainz 05, winning 2–1.[28] On February 4, he came off the bench and scored his fifth goal of the season against SC Freiburg.[29] On April 15, he scored another stoppage time goal off the bench against VfB Stuttgart, putting Dortmund up 3–2, though the match would end in a 3–3 draw due to another last minute goal by Stuttgart.[30] On May 13, he scored his seventh season goal and fifth substitute goal against Borussia Mönchengladbach, putting his side up 5–2 in the 94th minute.[31]

On May 27, during the final game of the 2022–23 Bundesliga where Dortmund was in first place, Reyna came off the bench in the 63rd minute when Dortmund were 2–0 down against Mainz 05 and created two assists to level the game 2–2. Despite his strong leading efforts, the game ended in a draw and Dortmund was the league runner-up to Bayern.[32] Reyna finished the season with four assists and his highest Bundesliga goal amount with seven goals, five of which were substitute goals.[33] Coming into his final season match against Mainz, Reyna had the second best minute-per-goal ratio of a top five European league player for the 2022–23 season after Erling Haaland.[34]

Loan to Nottingham Forest

[edit]

On January 31, 2024, Reyna extended his contract with Borussia Dortmund until June 30, 2026, and was subsequently loaned to Premier League club Nottingham Forest until the end of the 2023–24 season.[35][36] He made his debut for Forest as a 78th-minute substitute for Anthony Elanga in a 1–1 draw against Bournemouth in the Premier League on February 4.[37] On April 13, Reyna recorded an assist against Wolverhampton Wanderers in his first start of the season.[38]

International career

[edit]

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.[6] On November 12, 2020, a day before his 18th birthday, Reyna made his senior national team debut against Wales.[39] In the following game, a 6–2 friendly victory over Panama, Reyna started and scored his first senior goal directly from a free kick.[40]

In 2021, Reyna won the inaugural CONCACAF Nations League and scored in the 3–2 victory against rivals Mexico in the final.[41]

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.[42][43]

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.[44] 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.[45] 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.[46] In January 2023, it was revealed that Berhalter had been confronted during the tournament about damaging personal information that was floated to superiors. Danielle Reyna, 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.[47]

During the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League, Reyna recorded two assists in the United States' 2–0 victory over Canada in the final, where he was named man of the match.[48] On October 17, 2023, he recorded his first international brace in a 4–0 friendly win over Ghana.[49] During the 2024 CONCACAF Nations League Finals, Reyna assisted two goals in the United States' 3–1 semi-final victory over Jamaica.[50] In the following game, he scored in the 2–0 final victory against Mexico, again being named man of the match as well as the best player of the tournament.

Personal life

[edit]

Giovanni is the son of former professional soccer player and United States men's national team player Claudio Reyna,[51] and Danielle Reyna, a former member of the United States women's national soccer team.[52] Reyna is of Argentine-Portuguese descent through father's parents and of Irish-American descent through his mother.[53] His older brother, Jack, died of brain cancer in 2012, at the age of 13.[54]

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.[55] 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."[56]

He was named after his father's former Rangers teammate Giovanni van Bronckhorst.[51] Reyna's high level of play has earned him the nickname "The American Dream" by former teammate Erling Haaland.[57] Reyna is close friends with United States teammate Joe Scally; both players began attending the New York City FC youth academy in 2015.[58]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
As of match played August 24, 2024[59]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Borussia Dortmund 2019–20 Bundesliga 15 0 1 1 2[b] 0 — 18 1
2020–21 Bundesliga 32 4 5 3 8[b] 0 1[c] 0 46 7
2021–22 Bundesliga 10 2 1 0 1[d] 0 1[c] 0 13 2
2022–23 Bundesliga 22 7 2 0 6[b] 0 — 30 7
2023–24 Bundesliga 11 0 1 0 2[b] 0 — 14 0
2024–25 Bundesliga 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Total 91 13 10 4 19 0 2 0 122 17
Nottingham Forest (loan) 2023–24 Premier League 9 0 1 0 — — 10 0
Career total 100 13 11 4 19 0 2 0 132 17
  1. ^ Includes DFB-Pokal, FA Cup
  2. ^ a b c d Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  3. ^ a b Appearance in DFL-Supercup
  4. ^ Appearance in UEFA Europa League

International

[edit]
As of match played July 1, 2024[59][60]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
United States 2020 2 1
2021 7 3
2022 7 0
2023 8 3
2024 7 1
Total 31 8
Scores and results list United States' goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Reyna goal.[60]
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
5 October 17, 2023 Geodis Park, Nashville, United States 22  Ghana 1–0 4–0 Friendly
6 4–0
7 November 16, 2023 Q2 Stadium, Austin, United States 23  Trinidad and Tobago 3–0 3–0 2023–24 CONCACAF Nations League A
8 March 24, 2024 AT&T Stadium, Arlington, United States 26  Mexico 2–0 2–0 2023–24 CONCACAF Nations League

Honors

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Borussia Dortmund

United States

Individual

References

[edit]
  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". Borussia Dortmund. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ "Gio Reyna makes history with assist hat-trick for Borussia Dortmund". bundesliga.com - the official Bundesliga website. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  5. ^ "Pedri wins prestigious Golden Boy award for 2021". NBC Sports. November 23, 2021. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ "ABOUT JR10 CORP - Jr10clothing". Archived from the original on September 18, 2021. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  8. ^ "Dortmund sign U.S. youth Gio Reyna from NYCFC". ESPN FC. July 1, 2019. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  9. ^ a b "New York City FC academy alum Giovanni Reyna makes Bundesliga debut in Borussia Dortmund win". mlssoccer.com. January 18, 2020.
  10. ^ "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.
  11. ^ Hamilton, Tom (May 16, 2020). "Dortmund, USMNT prospect Giovanni Reyna injured when set for first start". ESPN. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  12. ^ Uersfeld, Stephan (May 22, 2020). "USMNT hopeful Gio Reyna back for Dortmund, Favre admits Bundesliga return a 'danger'". ESPN FC. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  13. ^ Meyers, Brian (September 14, 2020). "BVB Post Match Report: BVB dismantle Duisburg 5-0". Fear The Wall. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  14. ^ "Giovanni Reyna becomes second-youngest American to score in Bundesliga". The Washington Post. September 19, 2020.
  15. ^ "WATCH: Gio Reyna scores first career Bundesliga goal". Stars and Stripes FC. September 19, 2020.
  16. ^ "Reyna stars for Dortmund in 4-0 win against Freiburg". Daily Herald. Associated Press. October 3, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  17. ^ "Dortmund teenager Reyna makes history with three-assist display against Freiburg | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
  18. ^ Jackson, Wilton (December 5, 2020). "USMNT's Reyna Scores Stunner for Dortmund". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  19. ^ 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.
  20. ^ a b "Borussia Dortmund beats Leipzig 4-1 in German Cup final". AP. May 13, 2021.
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  23. ^ Creditor, Avi (April 8, 2022). "USMNT's Reyna Exits in Tears After Suffering Another Injury for Dortmund". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  24. ^ Koons, Zach (October 22, 2022). "Watch: 19-Year-Old American Soccer Star Scores First Goal in Over 400 Days After Run of Injuries". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  25. ^ "Supersub Gio Reyna Comes On And Becomes First American With 2 Assists In UCL Game". The18. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  26. ^ "WATCH: USMNT star Reyna scores penalty after slow run up to help lead Dortmund past VfL Bochum | Goal.com US". www.goal.com. November 5, 2022. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  27. ^ "Borussia Dortmund 4-3 Augsburg: Gio Reyna fires winner in Bundesliga thriller". Eurosport. January 22, 2023. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  28. ^ "WATCH: USMNT star Gio Reyna scores stoppage time winner for Dortmund vs Mainz | Goal.com US". www.goal.com. January 25, 2023. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  29. ^ "WATCH: Reyna can't stop scoring! Gio comes off the bench for another Borussia Dortmund goal | Goal.com US". www.goal.com. February 4, 2023. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  30. ^ "USMNT Star Scores Heroic Stoppage Time Goal to Give Dortmund a Late Lead". April 15, 2023. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  31. ^ "USMNT star Gio Reyna makes the most of his limited Borussia Dortmund role with another instinctive substitute goal | Goal.com US". www.goal.com. May 13, 2023. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  32. ^ "Dortmund throw away chance at Bundesliga title as USMNT's Gio Reyna is unable to save the day against Bayern | Goal.com UK". www.goal.com. May 27, 2023. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  33. ^ "Giovanni Reyna Stats - Goals, xG, Assists & xA | FootyStats". footystats.org. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  34. ^ "20-year-old Gio Reyna assisted both of BVB's goals today while only being subbed on in the 63rd minute!". FOX Sports Twitter. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  35. ^ "Reyna verlängert und wechselt bis Saisonende nach England" [Reyna extends and moves to England until the end of the season] (in German). Borussia Dortmund. January 31, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  36. ^ "Forest complete Gio Reyna signing". Nottingham Forest F.C. January 31, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  37. ^ "AFC Bournemouth 1-1 Nottm Forest". BBC Sport. February 4, 2024. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
  38. ^ "Gio Reyna makes huge statement as USMNT star provides big assist against Wolves in first Nottingham Forest start | Goal.com India". www.goal.com. April 13, 2024. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  39. ^ "USA 0 - Wales 0: Match Report & Stats".
  40. ^ "USA 6 - Panama 2: Match Report & Stats".
  41. ^ a b "Christian Pulisic, Ethan Horvath lead U.S. over Mexico in Nations League final". ESPN. June 6, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  42. ^ Creditor, Avi (March 25, 2022). "USMNT's Reyna Dazzles With Slaloming Dribble vs. Mexico". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  43. ^ mlssoccer. "USMNT's Gio Reyna draws Maradona comparison after solo run vs. Mexico | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  44. ^ Stejskal, Paul Tenorio and Sam. "Gio Reyna minutes limited". The Athletic. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  45. ^ Kyle Fansler (December 12, 2022). "Gregg Berhalter airs dirty laundry on Gio Reyna". worldsoccertalk.com. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  46. ^ "Gio Reyna criticizes Gregg Berhalter in Instagram post". World Soccer Talk. December 12, 2022. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  47. ^ "Gio Reyna's mother gave USSF Berhalter info". ESPN.com. January 4, 2023. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  48. ^ mlssoccer. "USMNT Player Ratings: Gio Reyna dismantles Canada in Nations League final | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  49. ^ Goff, Steven (October 18, 2023). "Gio Reyna scores twice as the USMNT rolls to a rout of Ghana". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  50. ^ "'Gio Reyna's quality is unquestionable' - Gregg Berhalter fires back at critics after Nottingham Forest midfielder's two-assist masterclass against Jamaica in CONCACAF Nations League win | Goal.com US". www.goal.com. March 22, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  51. ^ a b "Giovanni Reyna | U.S. Soccer Official Website". ussoccer.com. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  52. ^ "Gio Reyna: Who is Borussia Dortmund's latest American sensation?". bundesliga.com. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  53. ^ Wahl, Grant (December 12, 2018). "The Reyna Family's Story of Loss and Legacy". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
  54. ^ Wahl, Grant (December 12, 2018). "The Reyna Family's Story of Loss and Legacy". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  55. ^ "'The U.S. is my home' - Reyna shuts down reports of England call-up | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  56. ^ "Gio Reyna Ends Faux Suspense Over His International 'Choice', Will Play for USA". si.com. March 5, 2020.
  57. ^ "Erling Haaland Reveals Nickname for Wonderkid Teammate Gio Reyna". 90min.com. June 21, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  58. ^ Tim Ream INTERVIEWS Gio Reyna & Joe Scally 😂 | The American Dream, October 14, 2023, retrieved November 13, 2023
  59. ^ a b Giovanni Reyna at Soccerway. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  60. ^ a b "Giovanni Reyna". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  61. ^ "U.S. beats Canada to win Nations League as Balogun opens account". ESPN. June 18, 2023. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  62. ^ "Adams Reyna on target as United States complete three peat". CONCACAF. March 25, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  63. ^ "IFFHS". iffhs.com. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  64. ^ CONCACAF [@CNationsLeague] (June 7, 2021). "Here is the Best XI of the Concacaf Nations League Finals" (Tweet). Retrieved June 7, 2021 – via Twitter.
  65. ^ "Turner, Reyna and David lead way in CNL Finals Best XI". CONCACAF. June 19, 2023. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  66. ^ "Reyna Turner-Glasgow earn CONCACAF Nations League honors/". CONCACAF. March 25, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
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