Gio Reyna scored in his first international start in 16 months to surpass his father’s career goal tally, then set up Folarin Balogun’s tiebreaking goal in the 71st minute to lead the United States over Paraguay 2-1 on Saturday night in a friendly between World Cup-bound teams. The match also sparked a late brawl.

During second-half stoppage time, American defender Alex Freeman and Paraguay captain Diego Gómez both reached for a ball that rolled out of play, leading to a scuffle as players from both benches joined in. Paraguay’s Omar Alderete, who was not on the field, received a red card, while American midfielder Cristian Roldan was given a yellow card.

Playing just two days after his 23rd birthday, the often-injured Reyna scored in the fourth minute of his first start for club or country since September 14, marking only his second start since March 1. However, Álex Arce capitalized on a defensive lapse to equalize for Paraguay in the 10th minute. Diego Luna’s impact came soon after, as a forced turnover led to the go-ahead goal for the U.S.

Juan Cáceres tried to regain possession and knocked the ball toward Balogun, who then passed to Reyna. The midfielder took a touch and centered the ball, which deflected off Paraguay’s Damián Bobadilla, allowing Balogun to score from seven yards out. This marked Balogun’s eighth goal for the U.S. and his third in four matches. Max Arsten collected his team-high fifth assist of 2025, helping the U.S. extend its unbeaten streak to four games.

With time running out for U.S. players to impress coach Mauricio Pochettino, the Americans — ranked 16th — will face No. 15 Uruguay on Tuesday, followed by two more friendlies in March before the World Cup roster announcement.

Reyna had not started a game for the U.S. since the 2024 Copa America. His goal came after shots from Sergiño Dest and Cristian Roldan were blocked following Arsten’s corner kick. Arsten’s cross found Reyna, whose header from eight yards grazed the outstretched fingertips of goalkeeper Orlando Gill and went in off the crossbar. Notably, this was Reyna’s first professional headed goal.

With this goal, Reyna has now scored nine times in 33 international appearances, surpassing his father Claudio Reyna’s tally of eight goals in 112 games. Claudio was the U.S. captain at the 2002 and 2006 World Cups.

Paraguay, ranked 39th and making their first World Cup appearance since 2010, equalized earlier when Junior Alonso played a long ball behind Dest to Miguel Almirón, who delivered a cross. Álex Arce outpaced Miles Robinson and headed the ball off a hop, beating U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese with an open header for his first international goal.

The U.S. lineup was missing key players Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, Chris Richards, and Antonee Robinson. Joe Scally started alongside Miles Robinson and Tim Ream in a three center-back formation the U.S. adopted in September, with Dest as right wingback and Arsten on the left.

Roldan and Tanner Tessmann anchored the midfield, while Reyna and Brenden Aaronson played advanced midfield roles behind Balogun leading the attack. Both Freese and Aaronson are products of the Philadelphia Union and appeared in the stadium of their hometown team.
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