Americans Abroad: Gio Reyna returns, Jesse Marsch earns first victory with Leeds United

As the decisive World Cup qualifiers approach, Americans abroad are going above and beyond to earn their place in Gregg Berhalter's roster.

Gio Reyna is finally back on the pitch after a recurrent hamstring injury, making him a viable option as the USMNT face Mexico, Panama and Costa Rica. In the dugout, Jesse Marsch recorded his first victory as Leeds United manager.

This is the latest on American figures abroad...

1. Gio Reyna returns

USMNT key figure Gio Reyna is back. 

After returning from a hamstring injury, the midfielder suffered another blow during Borussia Dortmund’s game against Borussia Monchengladbach. He left the pitch in tears, with a prognosis keeping him on the sidelines for weeks. Now, the player has recovered and ready to feature for the national team in their upcoming World Cup qualifiers. 

Reyna made his comeback on a club level, stepping off the bench to play 27 minutes in Dortmund’s 1-0 win over Arminia Bielefeld.

“It’s nice to be back. I got everything sorted out, I am pain-free, it was good to be back in front of the fans again and to see out the victory,” Reyna said following Sunday’s win over Arminia Bielefeld.

 “I’ve worked with my medical staff for the last two weeks since I got injured, and I really feel like we solved the root of the problem. Now I have no pain and I am just looking to kick on and play game by game. Just get fitter and fitter and hopefully, in a few weeks I will be 100%.”

“I don’t really have too many worries that I won’t be able to go to the national team. I’m pretty positive I’ll be able to go,” Reyna added

2. Joe Scally earns his third start of 2022

 
American Joe Scally marked his third start for Bundesliga club Borussia Moenchengladbach in their 2-0 victory over Hertha Berlin on Saturday.

The defender made a big impact, winning eight of his 12 duels and recording three tackles to earn the clean sheet. The 19-year-old also completed 92% of his passes. 

Saturday’s triumph moved Gladbach seven points clear of the relegation zone on the table.

3. Jesse Marsch earns his first victory as Leeds manager

American head coach Jesse Marsch earned his first Premier League win over the weekend as Leeds United defeated Norwich City 2-1 at Elland Road. 

It was Joe Gelhardt’s 94th-minute winning goal that earned Leeds United the victory and lifting the Whites four points clear of the relegation zone

The victory also broke an eight-match winless run for Leeds. 

“I feel like I played 96 minutes,” Marsch said post-match. 

“Obviously there’s a lot of emotion in the late stages of the match. I’ve heard a lot about the magic of Elland Road, it’s certainly an incredible experience. My family were here for the first time today.

“When you talk about individual moments in your career, that was certainly special. I know I’ll remember that one for a long time. The three points are incredibly valuable. What I take away is that the performance was strong and the idea of how we want to play the game.”

4. Honorable mentions

Ethan Horvath recorded his fifth start for Nottingham Forest, and third clean sheet. The goalkeeper managed several crucial saves, in the hopes of catching Gregg Berhalter’s attention for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. 

Christian Pulisic came off the bench to feature in the last 12 minutes of Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Newcastle United on Sunday.

Yunus Musah started in his second consecutive league match as Valencia earned three points over Getafe.