Gio Reyna once again remained stuck on the bench as Borussia Dortmund went on to pick up a massive win over Newcastle in the Champions League.
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Reyna benched againDortmund win 2-0German side in good spot in Champions LeagueGettyWHAT HAPPENED?
Dortmund dominated large stretches to start the game but, for quite a while, they proved wasteful. It was cause for concern, too, after the weekend as Dortmund entered the match fresh off a lopsided loss to Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga.
Any doubts were calmed in the 26th minute, when Dortmund got the goal they deserved for their early-game dominance. The finish came from Niclas Fullkrug, who took advantage of some disappointing Newcastle defending to give the hosts the lead.
Dortmund finally made it 2-0 in the 79th minute. With Newcastle pushing for a leveller, the German side got in two-on-one with Julian Brandt and Marcel Sabitzer, with the former ultimately sliding a shot into the back of the net to seal the points.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
With the win, Dortmund keep their Champions League hopes alive after an up-and-down start to the campaign. Entering Tuesday's match, BVB had earned four points from their first three games in a wide-open Group of Death.
The result earned on Tuesday was key, then, as they push for a spot in the knockouts. The victory temporarily takes them atop the group, although PSG would reclaim that spot with either a win or a draw against AC Milan. Newcastle, meanwhile, remain alive on four points, although they face a rough road going forward.
Getty ImagesUSMNT IMPACT
Reyna remains outside of Edin Terzic's starting XI, having previously been benched for the loss to Bayern Munich. Prior to that, the USMNT star had gotten a run of games, but it's becoming more and more obvious that he isn't among Terzic's preferred options in the attack.
Reyna hasn't been a consistent starter for several years, with injuries limiting his opportunities to prove himself. He's fit now, though, and still not getting the game time he needs, which will be a concern for the USMNT.
In the short-term, though, Reyna will almost certainly be a key figure in the upcoming matches against Trinidad & Tobago, which will be played with a Copa America spot on the line.
Getty ImagesGOAL'S RATINGS
Gio Reyna (N/A):
Remained glued to the bench again, as Terzic went with Brandt, Fullkrug, Felix Nmecha and Karim Adeyemi as his attacking unit. What was more concerning was that the coach then turned to Marco Reus and Youssoufa Moukoko off the bench, proving just how crowded out Reyna is at the moment.
