Gio Reyna is an incredibly talented footballer. Just watch this goal Reyna scored for Dortmund versus Rapid Bucharest. Reyna controls the soccer ball, then flicks the ball into space and smashes into the upper corner.
It’s the awareness and flick that make the goal. And the calmness. He’s one of the few American footballers who really has that calmness and it’s just what the United States needed more of in the World Cup. Reyna knows when to slow the game down but also can take players on and score goals.
For me, Greg Berhalter had to find more playing time for Reyna in the World Cup because of this. Remember Reyna’s dribbling run versus Mexico. I would have liked to see that in the World Cup in Qatar.
It was hard though for Berhalter, what with Tim Weah and Pullisic starting and then trying to find playing time for Brenden Aaronson, there wasn’t much of a chance for Reyna. But for such a talented soccer player like Reyna you find playing time.
And maybe you encourage him more and tell him he will get enough time to make an impact. Was the solution to put Weah up top at forward and then slot Reyna out wide, maybe….
Reyna reacted to all the talk about his frustration at the World Cup.
“Just before the World Cup, Coach Berhalter told me that my role at the tournament would be very limited. I was devasted. I am someone who plays with pride and passion. Soccer is my life, and I believe in my abilities. I fully expected and desperately wanted to contribute to the play of a talented group as we tried to make a statement at the World Cup.”
Here’s Gio Reyna’s goal for Dortmund. He’s just 20 years old and has bright future in world football and for the United States. What makes this Gio goal though is the flick. Escaping pressure in such a clever way.