Picking up where we left off, Reyna should have plenty of opportunities for playing time. 10 BL league games, a CL match (or more), a couple of US friendlies (likely). I see a competitive stretch coming up, which is excellent for our purposes. Sat 3/7 @ Borussia Mönchengladbach (4th) W 3/11 @ PSG (CL advancement at stake) Sa 3/14 v Schalke (6th) Su 3/22 @ Wolfsburg (7th) International break (@ Netherlands, @ Wales) Sat 4/4 v Bayern Munich (1st)
There will certainly be opportunities for him... but I expect his minutes to go down now that Brandt is back. In his absence he was the 1st sub off the bench and now he is the 2nd. When Reus comes back I assume he will return to the 3rd sub spot. IMO, he has already earned the right to start a game over Hazard... Not sure why it hasn't happened yet. But he is clearly set to play a major role for BVB next season. I can hardly wait.
I doubt his minutes will decrease if the goal is to position him for a starting role. He looks ready to me, but perhaps the coach does not consider him ready yet for 60-65 min when a sub can come in. If he is progressing toward that # min, his time will not go down. What would be the point, especially if the staff has high expectations?
The goal is not to position Reyna for minutes though; the goal is to win. The staff is making that call and they are not going to be swayed by the personal bias that we as US fans understandably are afflicted with.
Again, the reason has to do with the quality/experience of the players returning... namely Brandt and Reus. The player that he needs to beat out is Hazard... and based on Torgan's form over the last several games I think Gio deserves a chance to start a game... but he is already way ahead of schedule... so I have no room to complain. Sancho will be out next season and Gio is going to be starting on the regular. Not bad for a 17-year-old.
Well, regardless I think we have to be happy with how this is working out for him so far. Signs in mid-summer from NYCFC youth team, makes his senior team debut six months later, and now has become a serious rotation player in the Bundesliga and Champions League, all while having just turned 17 last November. The only thing really comparable has been Pulisic.
Of course the goal is to win. The trick is giving minutes to Reyna or other young players and winning at the same time. Dortmund has a history of at least trying that route.
Sooo wish they would have bought defenders... With this many teenagers, you start to wonder about leadership on the team and how quickly bad things could happen.
Dortmund should spend some of the remaining money they received for Dembele and Pulisic and spend big on proven defenders. IMHO, it is much more difficult to predict future quality of young back four players than of similar age players in more forward positions.
They need a better keeper than Burki as well. A good cb, fb, and gk, would go a long way toward improving that team. Mix in some young attackers and that could work well.
Reyna has decided: "I will only play for the USA" https://www.kicker.de/771423/artike...ie_usa_spielen_.amp?__twitter_impression=true
Gio Reyna 🗣“I'm aware of the rumors, but it's quite clear for me. I only want to play for the United States. That's my home country.” pic.twitter.com/Dos1t4bIgh— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) March 5, 2020
Gio Reyna doesn’t plan on representing the US in the Olympics as he’s become a Dortmund first team player:"I could lose my spot in the squad. I don't think that makes sense. I'm staying here. BVB have told me that they need me here.” pic.twitter.com/pOqvTXDDiB— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) March 5, 2020 Pretty chatty lately
Yeah, but I'm pretty sure Dest had it covered and convinced him to play for the US. Assuming he is actually invited, of course.
Ok. Clarification. was he or wasn’t he eligible for England??? I’ve seen too many people saying both @bshredder do you know