Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Reyna nets 1st U.S. goals since '21 in Ghana rout

Written by 
Published in Breaking News
Tuesday, 17 October 2023 23:12

Giovanni Reyna scored his first goals for the United States since 2021 in an impressive 4-0 friendly win over Ghana at Geodis Park in Nashville, Tennessee, on Tuesday night.

The Americans bounced back in fine fashion following a 3-1 loss to Germany on Saturday, as Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun found the back of the net after Reyna opened the scoring in the 10th minute.

- Ex-USA captain Bradley to retire at end of season

- Reyna's drought-ending goals could signal a new era

It was just Reyna's second game back with the U.S. since last year's World Cup -- where he was used sparingly because of off-field issues -- and he took advantage of his spot in Gregg Berhalter's starting XI to score his first goal with the national team since June 9, 2021, against Costa Rica.

Reyna has been regaining fitness since fracturing a leg last June and played the first half for the second straight match. The 20-year-old midfielder's first game under Berhalter since the pair's falling-out in Qatar was Saturday vs. Germany.

"Gio, what I've seen from training session No. 1 in this camp was extreme amount of focus and ability," Berhalter said. "So when he plays like that, like he did this entire camp, he's certainly a guy that can help this group, and it's really good to see him respond like that."

Reyna told the U.S. Soccer Federation after the game that he did not want to speak with reporters. He has not spoken with media following national team matches since the World Cup.

Reyna added his second goal before halftime after the U.S. was given an indirect free kick in Ghana's box, with Pulisic rolling the ball in front of his teammate to set up a close-range finish to give the Americans a 4-0 lead at the break.

Gio Reyna celebrates with U.S. teammates after scoring a goal against Ghana in a friendly in Nashville.

Getty Images


After the U.S. started his second term with four friendlies, Berhalter leads the Americans in a two-leg CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal next month with spots in the 2024 Copa America on the line.

Ghana eliminated the U.S. from the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, and the Americans opened the 2014 tournament with a win over the Black Stars. The 11th-ranked U.S. matched its highest victory margin against an opponent from Africa, set against South Africa in 2000.

The Americans went ahead after Sergiño Dest dribbled toward the goal and passed wide to Balogun, whose cross bounced off defender Nicholas Opoku. The ball fell to Reyna, who one-timed a right-foot shot from about 12 yards.

Pulisic converted the penalty kick for his 28th international goal after Gideon Mensah pushed Tim Weah.

Weah created the third goal when, with the U.S. pressing, Jerome Opoku failed to control a pass on a flank. Weah picked up the ball and centered to Balogun, who spun as he took a touch and scored from the middle of the penalty area for his third goal in six appearances.

Reyna got his second goal from an indirect free kick 10 yards out, awarded when Opoku sat on the ball. Reyna poked the ball to Pulisic, who tapped it back, and Reyna kicked the ball into the roof of the net.

"Besides the goals, it was how he brings players into the attack," Berhalter said, "how he is able to be calm on the ball and gives us that calm and the poise that we need at times but then is decisive when making final passes."

American goalkeeper Matt Turner had little pressure but extended to parry Mohammed Kudus' 41st-minute shot over the crossbar.

Lennard Maloney, a 24-year-old midfielder born in Germany, entered in the 65th minute for the 60th U.S. debut under Berhalter.

No. 60 Ghana was coming off a 2-0 defeat against Mexico and has lost consecutive games after a five-match unbeaten streak under Chris Hughton, who took over as coach in February. The Black Stars open World Cup qualifying next month.

The U.S. gets an automatic World Cup berth as one of the co-hosts.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this story.

Read 67 times

Soccer

Man City's Foden named PL Player of the Season

Man City's Foden named PL Player of the Season

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPhil Foden has been named the Premier League's Player of the Season...

Klopp: Liverpool ready for exciting new direction

Klopp: Liverpool ready for exciting new direction

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsJürgen Klopp has said Liverpool will move in an "exciting direction...

Madueke backs Lavia to take Chelsea to next level

Madueke backs Lavia to take Chelsea to next level

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNoni Madueke believes Chelsea are starting to "take shape" under Ma...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Pacers spurred by fiery Carlisle, roll into Game 7

Pacers spurred by fiery Carlisle, roll into Game 7

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsINDIANAPOLIS -- When the Indiana Pacers fell behind 2-0 in their se...

Sources: Porzingis likely out for start of East finals

Sources: Porzingis likely out for start of East finals

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBoston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis is expected to remain side...

Baseball

Twins frustrated by plate ump, rare rule violation

Twins frustrated by plate ump, rare rule violation

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCLEVELAND -- Following a one-run loss, Minnesota manager Rocco Bald...

'This fan base is going to fall in love with him': How Luis Arráez is following in Tony Gwynn's footsteps

'This fan base is going to fall in love with him': How Luis Arráez is following in Tony Gwynn's footsteps

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsComparisons to Tony Gwynn began to follow Luis Arráez when he first...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated