The past few weeks has seen practically the entire U.S. soccer world talking about the future of Giovanni Reyna.
That even includes Jamie Carragher and a bizarre attack on Landon Donovan.
Amidst the noise, Reyna himself had his say in emphatic style on Sunday as he scored his first Bundesliga goal in 583 days in his first start of the season.
U.S. legend Donovan sparked a heated debate recently when he strongly suggested that Reyna should return to the MLS following a frustrating and extended period without regular football.
“In a case like Gio, great you signed with Borussia Dortmund, great you went on loan to Forest,” Donovan said.
“You don’t play soccer. You’re a soccer player, you’re not a soccer practicer. You’re not a soccer contracted person. You’re a soccer player.
“Do you want to play soccer or not? I know injuries with Gio, but I just get so sick of this bullsh*t.
“Gio Reyna in MLS would play 300 games by now. Hopefully, he would’ve been fit.”
Donovan’s comments immediately triggered backlash as prominent members from all around the U.S. soccer sphere provided their insight.
The story even reached CBS’ coverage of the midweek Champions League fixtures with guest Clint Dempsey vocally disagreeing with his former international teammate before Carragher chimed in.
“Do you think Landon Donovan’s saying that because he never cut it abroad?,” Carragher joked cuttingly.
“It sounds like a ridiculous statement if you’re saying someone should be playing in the MLS rather than playing in the Bundesliga or the Champions League. That just sounds absolutely ridiculous.”
Despite playing the bulk of his career in the MLS, Donovan did foray into Europe with stints in Germany and England but never stuck around for an extended period.
Reyna, meanwhile, is still in the process of trying to carve out a successful career in European soccer. Despite only turning 22 in November, Reyna is in his sixth Bundesliga season.
Yet, after more than half a decade, Reyna is still searching for regular football. This season, he missed more than two months of action with a groin injury before finally returning following the November international break.
And just as Donovan reignited the debate over Reyna’s career path that has seemingly encompassed much of his soccer life, the attacker started to make his own statement.
While it wasn’t a flawless performance, Reyna took a step forward when he started for Dortmund in their Champions League defeat to Barcelona. And he followed that up with his first Bundesliga start at the weekend.
Just moments into the second half, a Dortmund cross was headed to the edge of the box where Reyna was lurking dangerously.
The 31-cap U.S. international took it down off of his chest before smashing the bouncing ball into the top corner.
While his side failed to hold onto their lead as Hoffenheim came back to claim a point, there’s no doubt that this could be a huge moment for Reyna.
Not only should it help him continue to keep his place in the side, something that can not be understated for a player who has struggled so severely for consistent minutes in recent years, but it displayed exactly why there remains so much optimism around the talent.
There aren’t many players available to Mauricio Pochettino who have the ability and soccer IQ to score Reyna’s goal on Sunday.
At his best, Reyna is such a dangerous force because of what he’s capable of without the ball at his feet – combined with his clear brilliance when he does get it.
This goal was a perfect example of how he glides around the pitch, finding loose pockets of space to receive the ball and make something happen.
As seen in the clip, Reyna hovers in a free area of space outside the box as Dortmund build an attack on their left flank.
After opening up to receive the ball, Reyna follows the progression of the attack and is left in the perfect place to eventually receive the ball and fire at goal.
The volley needs no explanation, hit perfectly to give the Hoffenheim goalkeeper absolutely no chance.
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But the movement and spatial awareness to end up in that position is such a crucial part of Reyna’s game – and shows why he can be a game-changing force for the U.S. and Pochettino.
Every team needs an added sprinkle of magic.
And while the U.S. appear an exciting proposition in attack with the likes of Timothy Weah and Ricardo Pepi making progress alongside Christian Pulisic’s ongoing resurgence, there will always be a place for Reyna at his best. If he can reach it.