Giovanni Reyna etched his name into the Unites States men's national team's history books by inspiring a comeback win in Monday night's friendly encounter with Panama. The 18-year-old sensation scored his team's opener with a stunning free-kick to become the third-youngest-ever goalscorer in senior men's football.
Gregg Berhalter’s men were made to endure a tough start as Panama drew first blood just over seven minutes into the encounter. However, it did not take long for a response to be delivered with Giovanni Reyna restoring parity with a free-kick in the 18th minute. In effect, the player, aged 18 years and 3 days, became the third-youngest player after Christian Pulisic (17 years, 253 days) and Juan Agudelo (17 years, 359 days) to score a senior goal for the USMNT.
Here it is! At 18 years, 3 days, Gio Reyna becomes the third youngest goal scorer in USMNT history! #USAvPAN pic.twitter.com/eadp1tNsWD
— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) November 16, 2020
The game was subsequently put out of the reach of Panama after Nicholas Gioacchini grabbed a double between the 22nd and 26th minute. Jose Farjado almost made the scoreline look decent with his second in the 79th minute but another brace from Sebastian Soto and Sebastian Lletget's 87th-minute strike widened the gap once more.
Monday night's win adds up to the promising project being championed by Gregg Berhalter. Without the injured Christian Pulisic, and having featured the second youngest-ever USMNT lineup against Panama, the former Colombus Crew manager and his boys turned up to build on the impressive draw with Wales with a win.
