Just 209 days ahead of their World Cup opener, the U.S. men’s national soccer team is still in a phase of exploration and experimentation as they search for the right mix of players and tactics to take to the global stage. On a chilly fall evening just outside Philadelphia, one such experiment showed promising signs, centering around the long-awaited return of a talented but often mercurial player: Gio Reyna.
Reyna’s recall to the national team was notable in itself, given his recent struggles with injuries and limited playing time at Borussia Mönchengladbach. What was even more surprising was that he started in the U.S. friendly match against Paraguay on Saturday. Reyna made an immediate impact, scoring within the first five minutes with a rare headed goal, a surprising feat for the attacking midfielder. He continued to influence the game effectively well into the second half and capped his performance by assisting the winning goal in a 2-1 victory. This performance could mark a pivotal moment in the U.S. team’s preparations for the World Cup, suggesting that a healthy and confident Reyna could provide a vital attacking option for head coach Mauricio Pochettino.
Reyna is widely regarded as one of the most gifted attacking midfielders of his generation. However, since the 2022 World Cup, his career has been marked by a series of setbacks. He has battled injuries, faced criticism from club coaches, and moved clubs in search of consistent playing time. Despite not having fully established himself yet at Mönchengladbach, Pochettino explained that Reyna’s inclusion in this international window was crucial. With the World Cup just over half a year away, this was one of the last opportunities to assess his fit within the national team before the roster is significantly trimmed ahead of the March 2026 international window, the final stage before the World Cup squad is finalized.
The impressions from the camp and the match against Paraguay were encouraging. Reyna’s early goal came from a well-placed cross by Max Arfsten, which Reyna met with a headed effort that bounced off the underside of the crossbar and crossed the line. His reaction was notably subdued—no grand celebrations, just a quiet acknowledgment of the U.S. badge and his teammates, signaling perhaps a maturity and focus on the team rather than personal glory.
Beyond Reyna’s re-emergence, the U.S. team is grappling with broader tactical and personnel challenges. One major tactical adjustment that has brought the team success in 2025 is the adoption of a three-man backline, featuring three center-backs and two wingbacks who push forward aggressively. On Saturday, Sergiño Dest and Max Arfsten operated as attacking wingbacks on the right and left, respectively, providing width and offensive support.
However, the team had to adapt without some key players. Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie were absent from the attack due to injury or other reasons. Defensively, the team missed important figures like Chris Richards, a center-back from Crystal Palace, and Tyler Adams, a defensive midfielder from Bournemouth, both sidelined after picking up knocks at their clubs. This absence necessitated changes in the backline and defensive midfield roles.
One notable change was the reintroduction of Joe Scally, Reyna’s teammate at Mönchengladbach. Scally had been omitted from the team following a subpar performance in the March Nations League finals, but he returned to the squad this week and played on Saturday in a slightly different role. Pochettino deployed Scally as the right center-back in the back three, which shifted into a back four when the U.S. was out of possession, with Scally moving back to his natural right-back position. This flexible approach allowed the team to maintain defensive solidity while adapting to various phases of play.
The U.S. defense generally performed well, but there were moments of vulnerability. Paraguay’s equalizing goal in the 10th minute was a prime example. A long ball caught the U.S. backline off guard, creating large gaps between the three center-backs. Paraguay’s 30-year-old forward Alex Arce exploited this space, receiving the ball unpressured and finishing from around the penalty spot. This highlighted ongoing challenges in maintaining compactness and communication in the defensive unit.
In possession, the U.S. defenders also faced difficulties. Tim Ream, Miles Robinson, and Joe Scally were occasionally caught unaware