da dobrowin: Gio Reyna started for the first time this season, but turned in an underwhelming 45 minutes as Dortmund fought back to earn a point against Frankfurt
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Only managed 45 minutesFirst start of the season for DortmundBack in the USMNT squadWHAT HAPPENED?
Gio Reyna started brightly, but failed to have a serious impact as his Dortmund side fought back to snatch a point against an expansive Frankfurt team. The USMNT attacking midfielder started on the left, and only managed 45 minutes before being removed at the break — only to watch Dortmund provide much more going forward after his removal.
Reyna carried his side's most obvious threat early on, whipping an incisive ball into the box — but no one could convert. Frankfurt had the most joy in front of goal, though. Omar Marmoush opened the scoring inside 10 minutes, bagging from the penalty spot. He added a second midway through the first half, tucking home a rebound.
Marcel Sabitzer pulled one back on the stroke of half time, latching on to Niclas Fullkrug's cutback and sliding the ball home to bring his side back into the game.
And Edin Terzic's side equalised early in the second half, with Youssouf Moukoko — brought on for Reyna at the break — bagging his team's second. Fares Chaibi thought he had won it for Frankfurt, but a late goal from Julian Brandt saw the spoils shared.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Reyna appeared to have worked his way back into Terzic's plans, after appearing for the USMNT and turning in a few lively cameos for his side.
And he earned a start here, functioning on the left side of an attacking midfield trio — an enticing fit against Frankfurt's three-defender setup. Reyna was bright early on, getting involved in build-up play, and creating a chance inside 10 minutes.
But his side never really worked their way into the game. Reyna was isolated for long spells as a result, and lost the ball on a couple of occasions when the home side applied pressure. It was hard to say that he deserved to play more than the 45 minutes he was allotted.
GettyUSMNT IMPACT
This could be a pivotal one. Reyna recently cooled his high-profile feud with USMNT manager Gregg Berhalter, making the squad for their friendlies in the mid-October international break.
And after turning in a duo of strong showings for his country, a strong run of form at the club level could have been exactly what Reyna needed to realise his immense talent.
Instead, this was an all-too-familiar tale. The odds were admittedly against the American here, who really doesn't function effectively in sides that don't keep the ball. Once again, Berhalter faces the reality that Reyna is too talented to drop — but not good enough to make his club team's XI consistently.
GettyGOAL'S RATING
Gio Reyna (3/10): If Reyna's job is to make an impact in attacking areas, he didn't do it here. The American enjoyed some good moments early, but Dortmund were markedly better when he was off the pitch. Back to square one.