Gio Reyna, pictured during a March WCQ, became the first USMNT player to record two assists in a Champions League match. (Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports)
It turned out to be a pretty, pretty good day for U.S. men’s international players on the opening day of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.
Substitutes Weston McKennie scored a goal and Gio Reyna assisted on two for their respective teams.
Sergio Dest made his debut for A.C. Milan.
After starting for Chelsea over the weekend, Christian Pulisic came off the bench in the second half for the English Premier League side.
Here is how things unraveled:
A helping hand (feet) from Reyna
Reyna started Borussia Dortmund’s game on the bench, but he helped two teammates finish their plays in a 3-0 home win vs. FC Copenhagen. Reyna, who came on for Thorgan Hazard in the 23rd minute, became the first USMNT player to record two assists in an UCL match.
Demonstrating his versatility, Reyna set up teammates from both sides of the penalty area.
GIO PUTS IT ON A PLATTER!@ChampionsLeague career assist No. 3 🇺🇸
— U.S. Men's National Soccer Team (@USMNT) September 6, 2022
On the left side of the box, Reyna flipped a back pass to Raphael Guerreiro, who tallied from 10 yards for a 2-0 advantage in the 42nd minute.
Reyna then set up the final score in the 82nd minute, sending a pass from the right side of the box to Jude Bellingham, who scored from 12 yards.
GIO ALWAYS FINDS HIS MAN!
His second assist of the day ✌️
— U.S. Men's National Soccer Team (@USMNT) September 6, 2022
Reyna is coming back from a series of injuries he suffered last year, and the Bundesliga team isn’t pushing his minutes, at least not for the time being. He played the final 67 minutes.
McKennie connects
McKennie, a halftime sub for Fabio Miretti, headed home a corner kick from seven yards in the 53rd minute of Juventus’ 2-1 loss at Paris St-Germain in its Group H encounter in Paris. It was the former FC Dallas product and midfielder’s third UCL score, moving him one behind DaMarcus Beasley for third among USMNT players.
EXPELLIARMUS!!! ⚡️⚡️⚡️@WMckennie’s third career @ChampionsLeague goal, moving him one behind @DaMarcusBeasley for third-most among U.S. internationals 🇺🇸
— U.S. Men's National Soccer Team (@USMNT) September 6, 2022
Leandro Paredes started the scoring sequence with a short corner to Filip Kostic, who whipped in the ball from the left side an awaiting McKennie, who rose high to head the ball in. It was McKennie’s 10th goal for Juve across all competitions.
Kylian Mbappé connected for a brace to lead PSG.
Dest’s debut
Dest made his A.C. Milan debut in its 1-1 draw at Red Bull Salzburg in Austria. He replaced David Calabria in the 57th minute. Dest joined Milan on loan from Barcelona last week.
Back on the bench
Pulisic replaced Raheem Sterling in the 75th minute, but he couldn’t spark a struggling Chelsea side as it suffered a 1-0 defeat at Dinamo Zagreb.