Giovanni Reyna is thrilled to play for Borussia Dortmund in the Club World Cup — especially since it’s happening in his home country this summer. The young American midfielder is hoping to help his team make a deep run in the tournament, which kicks off on June 15.
Dortmund had a strong finish to the season, winning five games in a row and grabbing a Champions League spot on the final day. Even though Reyna didn’t play as much in those last few matches, he’s excited to be part of this big moment.
“Playing at home, whether for the national team or my club, is always super fun,” Reyna said. “I can’t wait to show some of my teammates around and help them understand more about the U.S. It’s going to be special playing in front of American fans.”
Reyna believes this tournament is another big step for soccer in the U.S. He says more kids are falling in love with the sport, and Dortmund already has lots of fans in America.
“It’s way different watching games on TV compared to seeing your favorite players live,” he added. “So many fans are going to be excited to finally see us in person.”
The 22-year-old, who appeared in 25 matches this season, is also looking forward to playing in front of family and friends. He sees the Club World Cup as a chance to bounce back and make a fresh start in his career.
“All of my family and friends are nearby, so it’s going to be amazing. There’s no place like home. We’re going to fight to win every game.”
Dortmund’s group isn’t easy — they’ll face Fluminense, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Ulsan. But Reyna knows that every team earned their spot in the tournament.
“It’s not going to be easy,” he said. “Everyone who made it deserves to be here. They had to win big games to qualify. We’ll need energy, focus, and of course, help from the fans.”
Reyna’s goal is clear: go as far as possible and try to win it all.
“This tournament is a big deal. The U.S. hasn’t seen anything like this before, and it’s going to bring more attention to soccer. When you’ve got teams like Dortmund, Real Madrid, Man City, and Bayern Munich playing — that’s something people want to watch.”
