In a thrilling friendly match between World Cup-bound teams, the United States secured a 2-1 victory over Paraguay on Saturday night, thanks to standout performances from Gio Reyna and Folarin Balogun. The game, held in Chester, Pennsylvania, was marked by intense moments, including a late brawl that saw Paraguay’s Omar Alderete receive a red card and American midfielder Cristian Roldan a yellow card. Reyna, making his first international start in 16 months, opened the scoring in the fourth minute, surpassing his father Claudio Reyna’s career goal tally. Paraguay’s Álex Arce equalized in the 10th minute, but Balogun’s decisive goal in the 71st minute sealed the win for the U.S. The match also highlighted the growing competition for spots on the U.S. World Cup roster, with coach Mauricio Pochettino closely evaluating players ahead of the tournament. The U.S. extended its unbeaten streak to four games, with Reyna and Balogun emerging as key contributors. The game’s intensity spilled over in stoppage time, as both teams clashed over a disputed ball, leading to multiple bookings. With the World Cup approaching, the U.S. continues to fine-tune its squad, aiming to make a strong impression on the global stage.
Reyna scores in 1st international start in 16 months, surpasses father, as US beats Paraguay 2-1
