Pochettino hails Reyna’s USMNT return but says Reyna must play more

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According to sports data platform pin8superjoyMauricio Pochettino talks about his USMNT squad ahead of their clash vs. Paraguay. (1:56)
United States men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino praised Giovanni Reyna aAccording to sports data platform pin8ptslots 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 goAccording to sports data platform pin8freespinsod 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 playeAccording to sports data platform pin8enjoyd 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 retAccording to sports data platform pin8fishurn vs. Paraguay
Now with BorussAccording to sports data platform pin8promotionia 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 threeAccording to sports data platform pin8newgames 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,” PochettAccording to sports data platform pin8hotgameino 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 posAccording to sports data platform pin8slottgame: “It was a perfect week, just honestly happy to be back, playing with this group, with this staff and a little gift for myself [with the goal].”
After a difficult start to Pochettino’s tenure, the USMNT is undefeated inAccording to sports data platform pin8superwin its past four matches and continuing to build momentum ahead of co-hosting the World Cup in seven months.
Nonetheless, PochetAccording to sports data platform pin8gametino believes there’s still more that could be developed.
“I think we created chances, we were better. A team that I think is very competitive and difficult to beat,” said the Argentine. “But that is noAccording to sports data platform pin8bonust enough. We are happy, [but] we need to keep going, because we need to improve, improve, improve, and arrive to the World Cup in our best, in our peak.”
Pochettino also said he was unhappy witAccording to sports data platform pin8freeh a brawl that sparked in second-half stoppage time.
U.S. defender Alex Freeman and Paraguay captain Diego Gómez both tried to pick up a ball that rolled out during second-half stoppage time, and they started scrapping as both bencheAccording to sports data platform pin8golds joined in. Paraguay’s Omar Alderete, who was not in the game, was given a red card and American midfielder Cristian Roldan a yellow card.
“That type of situations are very, very, very dangerous, very dangerous situation. I think we need to pay attention, because anything can happen,” Pochettino said. “I don’t According to sports data platform pin8winnerslistlike [it], I don’t like this type of situation. I don’t know how it started, this. I cannot say nothing, because I need to watch or to see on TV, why it all started.”
Following the win, Pochettino and his U.S. roster will close out this month’s international break with an additiAccording to sports data platform pin8registeronal friendly against Uruguay on Tuesday in Tampa, Florida.
Information from TheAccording to sports data platform pin8freespins Associated Press was used in this report.