Tag: FC Copenhagen

Reyna becomes first American with two Champions League assists in a game

Reyna had his longest shift of the season, and things went well

Gio Reyna is making strides at just the right time for Dortmund, and for the U.S. men’s national team.

After replacing the injured Thorgan Hazard early in their Champions League clash with FC Copenhagen, Reyna looked sharp drifting in from the left flank, picking up two assists in an authoritative 3-0 win. According to TruSportsMedia and Dortmund, Reyna is the first USMNT player to record two assists in a Champions League game.

After Marco Reus broke the deadlock seven minutes earlier, Reyna set up Raphaël Guerreiro for a crucial second goal. In the 42nd minute, Dortmund’s pressure eventually forced an aimless pass from Copenhagen. The ball found Reus, who fought through a tackle to touch the ball on for the onrushing Guerreiro.

The Portugal left back surged forward and played a one-two with Reyna, who drew center back Davit Khocholava and goalkeeper Mathew Ryan before calmly cutting the ball back for Guerreiro for a tap-in.

Dortmund spurned several chances to finish the game off, before Jude Bellingham gave them a three-goal margin on another assist from Reyna. Nico Schlotterbeck stepped out of the back to pick up a loose ball and lead a Dortmund charge, and this time the flood of yellow shirts breaking forward were in harmony. A scintillating one-touch passing sequence ripped Copenhagen’s defense open, and Reyna carried the ball into the area before rolling a pass towards the penalty spot for Bellingham to fire home.

Dortmund has taken things very slowly with Reyna due to a lengthy, frustrating injury history. It’s his third appearance of the season, but previously after a 28-minute appearance as a substitute against Werder Bremen on August 20, he was given a week off to make sure he recovered properly. His next match was on September 2, a seven-minute cameo in a win over Hoffenheim.

The fact that Dortmund was willing to bring Reyna on in the 23rd minute of a scoreless Champions League game, and just four days after he had last played, is a very positive sign for his World Cup prospects. Reyna’s place within the USMNT is only in doubt due to a succession of injuries; if he stays healthy for the next two months, he’s locked into a spot on Gregg Berhalter’s roster as a probable starter.

Watch Reyna’s first two assists of 2022

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UEFA Champions League playoffs: Maccabi Haifa, Benfica, Viktoria Plzen qualify

Follow all the UEFA Champions League playoffs as the final teams qualify for this year’s competition.

The final playoffs for the UEFA Champions League are playing out, with the final six spots in this year’s group stage up for grabs. Follow along as the second leg of every playoff is settled, and the Champions League picture clarifies.