Full Breakdown
Gio Reyna’s Late Trivela Secures US Victory and Announces Pregnancy
6/13/2026, 11:13:59 PM
Decisive Trivela Seals 4-1 Win Over Paraguay
In the Group D opener of the 2026 World Cup, the United States beat Paraguay 4-1. In added time, 23-year-old Gio Reyna scored a trivela with his right foot, concluding a 26-pass, 70-second move. The goal was logged at 96:10 (some sources say the 98th minute) at SoFi Stadium.
Opening Match Sets Tone for Pochettino’s USMNT
The United States entered the tournament under head coach Mauricio Pochettino, appointed in 2024 to inject a more aggressive style. An early own-goal by Paraguay’s Damián Bobadilla and a brace from Folarin Balogun gave the Americans a dominant start, reinforcing Pochettino’s “Why not us?” mantra.
Key Players and Their Roles
Central to the moment were Reyna, who had logged only four league starts for Borussia Mönchengladbach that season, and his teammates: Alex Freeman supplied the decisive pass, captain Tim Ream led the side, while Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie contributed to the attacking flow. Pochettino publicly defended Reyna’s selection.
Match Data and Statistics
The match attracted 70,492 spectators. The United States completed 26 passes in 70 seconds before Reyna’s goal, which marked his first World Cup strike and his 10th senior international goal. Paraguay’s goalkeeper Orlando Gill could not stop the shot.
Why It Matters: Momentum and Redemption
Reyna’s goal answered critics who questioned his inclusion after a 2022 World Cup episode where his lack of hustle nearly led to dismissal. The dramatic finish energizes the squad, bolsters U.S. confidence, and could shape the team’s trajectory in the group stage.
Official Statements & Responses
Pochettino noted that tournament windows provide limited coaching time, emphasizing the importance of preparation. Ream said the scene was hard to describe in words. Pulisic praised Reyna’s impact, noting the team sees his quality daily.
Criticism & Opposition
Analysts pointed to Reyna’s sparse club minutes and his 2022 World Cup controversy as reasons to doubt his reliability. Some fans argued his selection risked over-reliance on individual brilliance rather than cohesive team play. His decisive goal directly challenged those concerns.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact minute of Reyna’s goal—96:10 versus the 98th minute—and on his wife’s name, listed as Chloe, Chloe Ortolano, or Claire Reyna.
Verbatim Quotes
- “My wife’s pregnant.” — Gio Reyna, U.S. midfielder
- “There’s not a whole lot of words to describe the feeling,” — Tim Ream, U.S. captain
- “This might be one of the best back-to-front team goals this country and this team has ever put together,” — Stu Holden, Fox TV analyst
- “We see stuff from him like that every day,” — Christian Pulisic, USMNT winger
- “When you only have few days, you know, to reunite and to play, you only select players, but you cannot coach players,” — Mauricio Pochettino, USMNT head coach
What’s Next
The United States will travel to Seattle for a Group D clash with Australia on June 19, then face Turkey later in the week, with both matches critical for advancing to the knockout round.
