USMNT coach B.J. Callaghan heaps praise on Giovanni Reyna

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Giovanni Reyna had an exceptional performance against Canada for the USMNT in the CONCACAF Nations League final this past weekend.

Its safe to say that it has been a turbulent eight months for Borussia Dortmund’s Gio Reyna. From off-field drama to playing a more peripheral role for his club, it can’t have been an easy time for the young American.

Despite these hardships, the US international was one of the pivotal cogs in midfield for his national team in their win over Canada in the CONCACAF Nations League final, the second of which the US has won in a row. Reyna registered both assists for his side in their 2-0 victory, notably providing Folarian Balogun with his first goal whilst representing the US at international level.

U.S. interim coach B.J. Callaghan had nothing but praise for Reyna, who he singled out as one of the most impressive players on the pitch:

"“Specifically Gio’s performance tonight, is a performance that you expect…It shows his quality that’s on the field, his ball security, his ability to take on two or three players and connect passes”"

Reyna’s work-rate, bal retention and almost flawless passing were cornerstones to the USMNT’s success against Canada. It exemplified just why Reyna is such a highly rated talent. If he can continue to play at this intensity once he returns to Dortmund for pre-season, there’s no reason for Edin Terzić to not give him more minutes on the pitch in the coming season.

A return to training may be delayed for Reyna however, as the player has suffered what seems to be a calf injury, the extent of which is currently unclear. When asked about the injury after the game, Callaghan had little information to provide:

"“I don’t know the severity of it [the injury]. We haven’t had an opportunity to do a full [evaluation]”"

Reyna has indeed been the victim of extensive injuries over the years, which have also hampered his ability to become more of an important part of Dortmund’s starting 11. It would be a shame if this injury would turn into another lengthy layoff and stall is current rich vein of form.

Preceding any return to Dortmund, Reyna’s involvement in the USMNT’s Gold Cup campaign is also in doubt, which will put a further damper on the situation for both the national side and player. One can only hope that the injury is not severe enough to keep him sidelined for long.