Pochettino hails Reyna's USMNT return but says Reyna must play more - ESPN

United States men's national team coach Mauricio Pochettino praised Giovanni Reyna as being a «nightmare» for Paraguay after providing a goal and assist in a 2-1 victory Saturday at Chester, Pennsylvania's Subaru Park.

"[How he] reads the game and finds the free space in between the lines, I think that was a nightmare for Paraguay, and I think he did a very good job," Pochettino said postgame.

Reyna, 23, was earning his first start for the U.S. men's national team since July 2024. He scored his ninth goal in 33 international appearances in just the fourth minute when heading in a cross from Max Arfsten. He then played a key part in the winning goal in the 71st minute, centering the ball, which deflected off a Paraguay defender and found its way to Folarin Balogun to score.

— USMNT player ratings: Reyna impresses with 9/10 in return vs. Paraguay

Now with Borussia Mönchengladbach after an underwhelming end to his tenure with Borussia Dortmund, Reyna is still seeking to live up to lofty expectations having seen his career stall because of injury problems and a lack of regular minutes.

Saturday was his first start for club or country since Sept. 14 and just his second since March 1. Pochettino said Reyna must earn more playing time at the club level, with just three U.S. games remaining before he names his roster for the 2026 World Cup.

«He scored, he did a very good job. So happy with him,» Pochettino said. «He showed why he started, and he has confirmed that he's a player that needs to improve, because he needs to play more in his club, but we can see today that he was great.»

Regarding his goal and his first return to the national team camp since the spring, Reyna told TNT Sports postgame: «It was a perfect week, just