Gio Reyna Makes His Mark in France With First Strasbourg Goal

Gio Reyna did not have to wait long to make his mark in France.

The U.S. international scored his first goal for Racing Strasbourg on Sunday, finding the net in a dominant 6-2 victory over Troyes in the third round of the Ligue 1 season.

Starting in midfield, Reyna struck in the 57th minute to put Strasbourg 3-2 ahead before being substituted six minutes later. His goal was one of five scored by different Strasbourg players, as the club followed up its win over Lens with another impressive attacking performance.

Strasbourg had already shown signs of improvement before traveling to Troyes.

After opening the season with a 4-0 defeat against Marseille, the club responded with a 2-1 victory over Lens. Against Troyes, it went a step further, turning an early deficit into a six-goal performance.

Reyna played an important role in the turnaround.

With Strasbourg leading 2-1, the American midfielder received the ball inside the attacking area and finished with his left foot in the 57th minute. A deflection off a Troyes defender wrong-footed goalkeeper Zacharie Boucher, allowing the ball to find the net.

It was Reyna’s first goal in Ligue 1 and his first club goal since May, when he scored for Borussia Mönchengladbach against Augsburg.

Reyna arrived in Strasbourg this summer after a difficult final period with Borussia Mönchengladbach.

The move brought an end to a Bundesliga chapter that never quite developed into the consistent run of form many expected from one of the most highly rated American prospects of his generation.

At 23, Reyna is now trying to rebuild that momentum in France.

Strasbourg acquired him from Mönchengladbach for a reported €3 million, giving the American a new environment and a chance to establish himself as an important attacking midfielder in Ligue 1.

Reyna also arrived in France following a summer that included another major international tournament with the United States.

He was part of Mauricio Pochettino’s squad at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, making appearances during the tournament and scoring against Paraguay in the group stage.

The United States ultimately reached the Round of 16 before being eliminated by Belgium, but the tournament gave Reyna another taste of the highest level of international soccer.

One goal does not erase the difficult stretches Reyna has experienced over the last few seasons.

But it can be a starting point.

His first Strasbourg goal came in his first start for the club, during a convincing away victory and just three weeks after completing his move to France.

For an American midfielder who once became one of the most exciting young players in European soccer, the challenge now is to turn moments like Sunday’s into a sustained run of performances.

Strasbourg has given Reyna a new setting.

His first goal in France suggests he is ready to make the most of it.