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

United States Men's national team coach Mauricio Pochettino praised Giovanni Reina like a nightmare for Paraguay after setting a goal and providing assistance in win 2-1 Saturday in Chester, Pa., at Subaru Park.

“[How he] reads the game and finds space between the lines, I think it was a nightmare for Paraguay and I think he did a very good job,” Pochettino said after the game.

Reyna, 23, made his first start for the U.S. men's national team since July 2024. He scored his ninth goal in 33 caps in just the fourth minute, heading in from a cross from the field. Max Arfsten. He then played a key role in the winning goal in the 71st minute, centering a shot that deflected off the goal. Paraguay defender and found his way to Folarin Balogun to score.

– USMNT Player Ratings: Reina impresses 9/10 in second leg against Paraguay

Now with Borussia Monchengladbach after a disappointing end to his tenure Borussia DortmundReyna is still struggling to live up to high expectations as his career has stalled due to injuries and lack of playing time.

Saturday was his first appearance for club or country since September 14 and second since March 1. Pochettino has said Reyna must earn more playing time at club level and there are just three games left in the US before he decides his squad for the 2026 World Cup.

“He scored, he did a very good job. I'm very happy with him,” Pochettino said. “He showed why he started and confirmed that he is a player who needs to improve because he needs to play more for his club, but today we see that he is great.”

Regarding his goal and his first return to the national team since the spring, Reyna told TNT Sports after the game: “It was a perfect week, I'm just really happy to be back, playing with this group, with this roster and a little gift for myself.” [with the goal]”

After a difficult start to Pochettino's reign, the USMNT are unbeaten in their last four matches and continue to build momentum ahead of co-hosting the World Cup in seven months.

However, Pochettino believes more can still be done.

“I think we created chances, we were better. I think they are a very competitive team and difficult to beat,” the Argentine said. “But this is not enough. We are happy [but] we need to keep going because we need to improve, improve, improve and come to the World Cup in the best possible way, at the peak of our capabilities.”

Pochettino also said he was unhappy with the brawl that broke out in stoppage time in the second half.

US defender Alex Freeman And Paraguay captain Diego Gomez both attempted to pick up a ball that had rolled out during second-half stoppage time and began to clear the ball as both benches joined them. Omar Alderetewho was not in the game, received a red card and the American midfielder Christian Roldan yellow card.

“Situations like this are very, very, very dangerous, very dangerous. I think we need to pay attention to this because anything can happen,” Pochettino said. “I don't like [it]I don't like this situation. I don't know how it started. I can’t say anything because I need to watch or see on TV why it all started.”

Following the victory, Pochettino and his American team will end the international break this month with an additional friendly against Uruguay on Tuesday in Tampa, Florida.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.