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Watch: U.S.’s Gio Reyna Has Two Champions League Assists Amid His Dortmund Comeback

The American winger has been eased back into action for Borussia Dortmund after missing most of last season with hamstring injuries.

Andrew Gastelum

U.S. men’s national team fans will be pleased to see Gio Reyna back in action—and even happier to see him taking part in goals. 

After starting Borussia Dortmund’s opening Champions League group stage match against Copenhagen on the bench, the winger came on for Thorgan Hazard in the first half due to an injury to the Belgian. Within 20 minutes, Reyna had the third Champions League assist of his career. 

With the German side already leading 1–0, Raphaël Guerreiro started the sequence with a darting run through the center of Copenhagen’s defense before dishing off to Reyna just inside the penalty area. Reyna then took a touch toward goal before passing back to Guerreiro for the goal.

Reyna then added a second assist on Borussia Dortmund’s third goal, connecting with Jude Bellingham in the 83rd minute to seal the win. 

It’s a welcome sign from Reyna, who has struggled with serious injuries over the last year. The 19-year-old made only 13 appearances for Dortmund last season after missing six months of the season, which included a large chunk of the USMNT’s World Cup qualifying campaign. He last played for the U.S. in March against Costa Rica. 

The club has taken its time in bringing Reyna back following the injuries, easing him into action with only two brief appearances so far this season. With 29 minutes against Werder Bremen and eight minutes against Hoffenheim on Friday, Tuesday’s Champions League match is already his longest outing of the season.  

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Andrew Gastelum
ANDREW GASTELUM

Andrew Gastelum is a programming editor and writer at Sports Illustrated who specializes in soccer, the Olympics and international sports. He joined the SI staff in March 2021 and previously contributed to Howler Magazine and NBC Sports. He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame alum and is currently based in Italy.

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