Sahin after Reyna’s first goal in 19 months: “Gio can become important for us.”

Speaking at his post-match press conference last night, BVB trainer Nuri Sahin spoke on his decision to give USMNT international Giovanni Reyna his second start in a row. 

After featuring in the Borussia Dortmund starting XI in the Champions’ League midweek, the American footballing prospect once referred to as the “American Dream” received another start in Sunday’s league fixture against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. Matters certainly went well for the 22-year-old. Reyna scored his first goal in BVB colors since match-day 32 of the 2022/23 campaign.

Thanks to plenty of promising work at a young age, Reyna still has 95 German top flight appearances to his credit. The son of former USMNT captain Claudio Reyna and six-times-capped USWNT professional Danielle Egan has scored a total of 18 goals for Dortmund in 105 appearances across all competitions. His tally last night agains highlighted his natural talent. 

A sublime chest down and fearless finish from about 15 meters out might serve as a profound statement that the former “American Dream” (recently referred to as U.S. Soccer’s “lost boy” in a New York Times article) is ready to return to the Bundesliga stage. Multiple injuries, a failed loan stint at Nottingham Forest, and verified rumors that his German club wish to offload him could quickly be forgotten if Reyna begins to produce again. 

“Gio can become important for us if he remains fit,” BVB trainer Nuri Sahin remarked at his post-match presser last night, “[Despite more injuries], he’s managed to keep at it, train well and present himself positively. I’m glad he scored today. [The recent loan to the EPL] helped him see the importance of getting playing time here at Dortmund.”