Giovanni Reyna

Giovanni Alejandro Reyna (born November 13, 2002) is an American soccer player who plays as an attacking midfielder for Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund. He was included in The Guardian's "Next Generation 2019".[1]

Giovanni Reyna
Personal information
Full name Giovanni Alejandro Reyna
Date of birth (2002-11-13) November 13, 2002
Place of birth Sunderland, England
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Playing position(s) Attacking midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Borussia Dortmund
Number 32
Youth career
2015–2019 New York City FC
2019–2020 Borussia Dortmund
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2020– Borussia Dortmund 15 (0)
National team‡
2016–2017 United States U15 11 (7)
2017–2018 United States U16 2 (1)
2018–2019 United States U17 18 (8)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of June 27, 2020
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 16:59, January 18, 2020 (UTC)

Youth career

Reyna joined the Academy team for his hometown club, New York City FC, in 2015. Reyna played with the City FC Academy teams until 2019, when he moved to Germany to join Borussia Dortmund's academy.[2]

Club career

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.[3] 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.[3]

On February 4, 2020, Reyna scored his first professional goal in a 2–3 defeat to Werder Bremen in the DFB-Pokal Round of 16.[4] In doing so, he became the youngest goalscorer in German Cup history.[4] 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.[5]

On May 16, 2020, Reyna was set to start his first Bundesliga match for Dortmund in their derby against Schalke, but suffered a calf injury during warm-ups.[6] Reyna returned on May 23 and played in the final 11 minutes of a 2–0 victory at VfL Wolfsburg. [7]

Honors

USA U17

  • CONCACAF U-17 Championship runner-up: 2019[8]

Career statistics

Club
As of June 27, 2020[9]
Club Season League DFB-Pokal Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Borussia Dortmund 2019–20 Bundesliga 150112[lower-alpha 1]000181
Career total 150112000181
Notes
  1. Appearances in the UEFA Champions League

Personal life

Giovanni is the son of former Rangers F.C., Sunderland, Manchester City, New York Red Bulls, and United States player Claudio Reyna,[10] and Danielle Egan, a former member of the United States women's national soccer team.[11] 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, all of whom he is eligible to play for. Ultimately, all speculation was put to rest on March 5, 2020, as Sports Illustrated[12] quoted him as saying "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."

He was named after his father's former Rangers teammate Giovanni van Bronckhorst.[10]

References
  1. "Next Generation 2019: 60 of the best young talents in world football". The Guardian. October 10, 2019. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  2. "Dortmund sign U.S. youth Gio Reyna from NYCFC". ESPN FC. July 1, 2019. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  3. "New York City FC academy alum Giovanni Reyna makes Bundesliga debut in Borussia Dortmund win". mlssoccer.com. January 18, 2020.
  4. "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.
  5. https://twitter.com/bleacherreport/status/1229923633650421760?s=21
  6. Hamilton, Tom (May 16, 2020). "Dortmund, USMNT prospect Giovanni Reyna injured when set for first start". ESPN. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  7. Uersfeld, Stephan (May 22, 2020). "USMNT hopeful Gio Reyna back for Dortmund, Favre admits Bundesliga return a 'danger'". ESPN FC. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  8. https://www.concacaf.com/en/under-17s-men/game-detail/471363#tab_match=match-details
  9. Giovanni Reyna at Soccerway. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  10. "Giovanni Reyna | U.S. Soccer Official Website". www.ussoccer.com. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  11. "Gio Reyna: Who is Borussia Dortmund's latest American sensation?". bundesliga.com. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  12. https://www.si.com/soccer/2020/03/05/gio-reyna-usa-international-choice-borussia-dortmund Gio Reyna Ends Faux Suspense Over His International 'Choice', Will Play for USA
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