The Life of Bryan: Reynolds at Westerlo

Interest seems a little out of cycle:

Tom Bogert
@tombogert

England Championship sides Watford and Swansea City among clubs interested in American right back Bryan Reynolds, I'm told.

Reynolds is on loan at Westerlo from AS Roma. Westerlo hope to keep him on a permanent deal as well.

Reynolds, 21, has 18 apps for Westerlo this season.

 

Interesting. I wonder if Roma has the final say or Westerlo.

 

Hard to imagine Westerlo could afford a permanent deal absent some sort of rich ownership I am unaware of.

English Championship seems like a nice move up.

 

I think that Westerlo would love him for another season, he has been one of their best players all season. But I agree, I do not see Westerlo outbidding a Championship team.

 

Agreed. Championship seems like a great level for him, and his game seems like it would fit very well there.

 

This would be amazing if it happened, but I could see, hopefully, going the Antonee Robinson route.

Wandering around at Everton, move to Championship, make a name there, get promoted, stand out in the PL and USMNT.

...He’s still young enough to be on that track.

 

Goals are here starting at 1:37. Terrible error for Eupen the first goal. No real sightings of Reynolds.

 

Full highlights here, they start at 19:23.

 

Westerlo's record when Reynolds plays significant minutes in a match: 8-5-3
Westerlo's record when Reynolds DNPs or plays only a few token minutes: 2-0-6

The trend is undeniable.

 

11 Feb vs Gent
11 am EST on ESPN + (a rare Saturday ESPN + match)

Reynolds should start.

 

Started:

De startende XI Kemphanen voor vanavond! #WESGNT pic.twitter.com/INxM0fLGkb

— KVC Westerlo (@KVCWesterlo) February 11, 2023

Match is on ESPN+.

1-1 in the 29th.

 

Odd game, 4 goals in the first half, ends 3-3. Reynolds played the first 88'.




Not a great game it seems for Reynolds.

Westerlo is not 7th in the table, and only one point in the 2nd Playoff group.

 

Goals vs Gent are here starting at 2:22.
Pops into the screen around 3:10 after the first Westerlo goal is scored. Not involved with the very nice Gent 2nd goal. Great long ball for the 2nd goal. This is right about 3:45. Worth the watch just for this pass. 2 great goals for Gent.

 

Full highlights of the Gent match are up here starting at 5:47. A few more moments that Reynolds is in the play. Watching his ball into the area again shows what a nice pass it was.

 

Next match - 19 Feb 2023
St. Truiden vs Westerlo
1:45 EST

This is a very important match for both teams. Westerlo sits in 7th with 36 points. St. Truiden sits in 9th with 35 points. Slots 5-8 qualify for the Europa Conference League qualification play-off.

Reynolds should start.

 

Starts:

De startende XI Kemphanen vanavond! #STVVWES pic.twitter.com/zYnlrbYkWh

— KVC Westerlo (@KVCWesterlo) February 19, 2023

 

Westerlo win 1-0 and Reynolds played the full 90 minutes.

 

According to Whoscored he was rated a 7.49.

Solidly in 7th place.

 

He drew the penalty on the game’s only goal

 

Above average player on the above average team in the above average league.

 

Team of the Week:

 

Full highlights vs St. Truiden are here. They start at 30:00. Good cross by Reynolds around 31 min. The drawn PK is around 31:20.

 

Next match - 25 Feb 2023
Westerlo vs Union St. Gilloise
4:45 EST

No ESPN + for the match.

 

Starts:

De startende XI bij onze Kemphanen!! #WESUSG pic.twitter.com/ikm7lLOTpm

— KVC Westerlo (@KVCWesterlo) February 25, 2023

 

Played the entire match in a 4-2 win over Union St. Gilloise.
This moves them into striking distance of the 1st Playoff group.