USA’s Giovanni Reyna Confirmed to Be Fit Despite Absence V Wales

Giovanni Reyna with Borussia Dortmund in 2020
Giovanni Reyna with Borussia Dortmund in 2020. Photo by Kieran McManus/BPI/Shutterstock (10558741di)

United States winger Giovanni Reyna confirmed that he is “100 percent” fit despite not being included in his team’s opening World Cup fixture against Wales. The Borussia Dortmund player remained an unused substitute throughout the 1-1 draw.

“I feel really good. I feel great,” Reyna confirmed. “I feel fine. [Coach Gregg Berhalter] doesn’t have to tell me why he didn’t put me in or why he does,” the player said in response to questions regarding his absence.

Coach Berhalter revealed that he decided against bringing Reyna on as a substitute as a precautionary measure. “It was trying to get him up to speed. I think there was a little bit of tightness that we were guarding him against in Al-Gharafa in the training exercise as a precaution.” The US coach added that he believes that Reyna could play a major role in the American national team’s World Cup campaign in the later stages of the tournament.

According to United States captain Tyler Adams, Reyna was fit enough to play against Wales. Still, Adams believes that Reyna may have an impact on his team’s game against England, scheduled to be played on the evening of Friday, 25 November.