PARADISE, Nev. — Gio Reyna sauntered toward the ball and changed the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League final with one sweep of his right boot.
From there, Reyna began feeling himself. He'd spent much of Thursday's win over Mexico feeling his way into the game. But now he was in rhythm, thinking a step ahead of his 21 peers. He made passes because he'd already seen the subsequent pass. He drifted in and out of spaces, from midfield out to the left touchline, then back inside to the right.
He offered precisely what this USMNT had so often lacked under Berhalter, who'd preferred a ferocious, athletic"MMA" midfield — Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams. They'd provided structure and defensive shields, combativeness and control, but only limited creativity going forward. Reyna lasted only 45 minutes. He picked up a double-knock late in the first half, which resulted in a calf injury. He hobbled about for the rest of the half, then departed, limping, at halftime.At just 20 years old, he'd already set a USMNT program record for the most goals and assists in tournament finals, surpassing Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey.
In those 45 minutes, in a few sparkling moments, he'd propelled the USMNT to yet another trophy, and cemented his place in this team, coaching friction be damned.
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