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A superb Gio Reyna backheel assist vs. Shakhtar Donetsk helped Borussia Dortmund secure a 3-1 victory in the Champions League and once against made USMNT fans wonder why he doesn’t get more time.
Reyna was once again on the bench for Dortmund as he’s only started three games across all competitions this season for the German giants.
The 22-year-old American was brought on as a substitute in the 64th minute and produced a lovely piece of skill just 15 minutes later.
Dortmund’s Ramy Bensebaini found Reyna near the top of the box and made a run into the penalty area. Reyna found him with a backheel pass to cut through the defense and set up the goal.
Gio Reyna backheel assist vs. Shakhtar Donetsk
Ramy Bensebaini with a sweet chip to finish off lovely assist from Gio Reyna pic.twitter.com/YUE66AMmoG
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) January 29, 2025
That’s so so good from Reyna.
The USMNT attacking midfielder has struggled for playing time this season due to a groin injury that sidelined him for two months and not being in favor for the starting XI. In total Reyna has only played 351 minutes which is the equivalent of four full games.
Dortmund's new manager, Nico Kovak, is expected to join the club on Sunday. Reyna will need to impress him to free himself from the shackles of the bench.
Reyna not being included in the starting XI has been a theme of his young career. Last season the situation with Dortmund reached the point that he was loaned to Premier League side Nottingham Forest. His struggles continued there as he only started two games in the Premier League.
Some USMNT fans will be keeping their fingers crossed that Reyna secures a transfer out of Dortmund before the winter transfer window closes on Feb. 3. He was briefly linked with a move to AC Milan, however those rumors have cooled.
Clearly Reyna has the talent to play for top teams in Europe, he just needs some consistency which he hasn’t found in his five years with Dortmund.
Dortmund advanced to the playoffs in the Champions League and will face either Sporting Portugal or Club Brugge.
