Saturday's game at Bayer Leverkusen produced a mixed bag for New York City FC academy product Giovanni Reyna, who registered his longest senior appearance for Borussia Dortmund, though it came in a 4-3 come-from-behind win for the hosts.
Reyna, a longtime US youth international standout, entered in the 45th minute as a substitute for Julian Brandt. Yet, Dortmund allowed two late goals in the 81st and 82nd minutes, failing to make up ground on RB Leipzig for second place in the Bundesliga table.
While Dortmund’s defense again proved shaky, Reyna struck the post with a deflected shot in the 58th minute and combined well alongside fellow teenagers Jadon Sancho and Erling Haaland.
There was a tough moment for Reyna, however, as Sancho appeared to have scored in the 52nd minute to gave Dortmund a 3-2 lead. Upon video review, it was rescinded for an off-ball foul by Reyna in the run of play.
If Reyna keeps up this pace, he’ll only strengthen his case for a US men’s national team call-up. He’s certainly earned the trust of Dortmund manager Lucien Favre, and now USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter could have a decision to make for a pair of late-March friendlies in Europe against the Netherlands and Wales.
Reyna, 17, signed for Dortmund last July after featuring for NYCFC in the US Soccer Development Academy.
