Gio Reyna shines as USMNT bounce back, gash Ghana

The United States men's national team clobbered Ghana in Nashville on Tuesday with a four-star first half to leave the international break brimming positive vibes and a 4-0 win at Geodis Park.

Giovanni Reyna scored twice, with Folarin Balogun and Christian Pulisic also finding the net to lead Gregg Berhalter's men to a resounding bounce back from a 3-1 humbling by Germany.

[ MORE: USMNT in 2023 — schedule, results, more ]

Ghana, led by ex-Newcastle and Brighton coach Chris Hughton, was on the back foot from almost the opening whistle, as Thomas Partey and the Ghanaian midfield were bypassed several times in the first frame.

The defense allowed limited chances to Ghana, and Matt Turner had a tremendous save when the Black Stars found their best threat. It was his only save on a night he was only required to make 20 touches.

There was no comeback for the visitors on Tuesday, days after the Yanks took a 1-0 lead over Germany through a Christian Pulisic golazo on Saturday in the biggest test since the 2022 World Cup, only to be run over in the second half en route to a eye-opening 3-1 loss in Connecticut.

From down in the dumps to Feel Good, Inc.

The Germany loss feels very deep in the rear view mirror, a remarkable vibe considering that friendly was set to be the highest-profile opponent the Yanks would face until Copa America.

But the first half in Nashville really, truly flipped the script.

Reyna and the Yanks showed style and substance against a Thomas Partey-led midfielder and were rarely tested by Mohammed Kudus, Inaki Williams, and Jordan Ayew.

Turning the page on a bad performance, or at least half, is a welcome sight, and keeping a clean sheet with a controlling performance without Tyler Adams is even better.

Well done to Berhalter and his boys.

What’s next?

The USMNT has a CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal next month home and away.

Ghana begins World Cup qualifiers in November, hosting Madagascar on Nov. 13 before going to Comoros eight days later.

USMNT vs Ghana final score: 4-0

Goals: Reyna (10', 39'), Pulisic (pen 19'), Balogun (22')

USMNT vs Ghana player ratings

There were no passengers in the Starting XI, and Johnny Cardoso put in a solid shift to give Berhalter things to consider regarding his No. 1 Tyler Adams deputy. That's still probably Luca de la Torre, but food for thought from the Internacional man Johnny.

But Tuesday was all about Reyna, who was electric. Of course the two goals were great but he also worked the close-quarters 1-2 with Weah that led to a penalty, and he completed 30-of-31 passes in his 45 minutes, sending seven balls into the final third.

Starting XI

Matt Turner: 7 — One save, but it was terrific.
Kristoffer Lund: 7
Chris Richards: 7
Miles Robinson: 7
Sergino Dest: 8.5 — Three created chances, Six duels won
Yunus Musah: 7
Johnny Cardoso: 8 — Seven recoveries, 94% passing
Christian Pulisic: 7.5 — Penalty goal, assist
Giovanni Reyna: 9 — 2 goals, 2 fouls drawn, 97% passing, 7 passes into final third
Timothy Weah: 8.5
Folarin Balogun: 8 — 5 shots, goal

Subs
Ricardo Pepi: 6.5
Brenden Aaronson: 6.5
Weston McKennie: 7
Lennard Maloney: 6.5
Cameron Carter-Vickers: 6.5
Luca de la Torre: 6.5

Here's how our pals at Fotmob.com saw it:

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Giovanni Reyna goal video: Dortmund starlet opens scoring

Folarin Balogun fires into the right side of the box and cuts a dangerous pass toward the six.

A Ghanaian defender gets in the way but can't stop the pass from bouncing back to Giovanni Reyna.

The Borussia Dortmund playmaker smashes home from eight yards and it's 1-0 to the United States.

Christian Pulisic goal video: Milan man snaps home Weah-won penalty

Reyna and Timothy Weah work a 1-2 on the right edge of the 18, and the latter is taken down by Ghana's Gideon Mensah.

It's an easy point to the spot, and a straightforward finish on the penalty by the captain. 2-0 USA from Christian Pulisic.

Folarin Balogun goal: Turn and fire for 3-0

Christian Pulisic goal video: Milan man snaps home Weah-won penalty

Reyna and Timothy Weah work a 1-2 on the right edge of the 18, and the latter is taken down by Ghana's Gideon Mensah.

Giovanni Reyna indirect kick goal video: Wow

There aren't a lot of words that do it justice, so here's video:

How to watch USMNT vs Ghana live, stream link, start time

Kick off: 8:30pm ET (Tuesday, Oct. 17)
TV channel en Espanol: Universo, Telemundo
Stream link: Watch live online via Peacock Premium en Espanol

Focus on the USMNT: Lineup, notes

Berhalter rings in some changes following the loss to Germany.

We know that Christian Pulisic, Timothy Weah, Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, Sergino Dest, and Matt Turner are nailed-on starters for most games, and McKennie is the only member of that bunch not starting versus Ghana.

Gio Reyna and Folarin Balogun keep their spots, as does Chris Richards. Kristoffer Lund gets left back duties, while Miles Robinson pairs with Richards at center back, and Johnny Cardoso will be your defensive mid.

That means McKennie joins Luca de la Torre, Brenden Aaronson, Cameron Carter-Vickers, and Ricardo Pepi among the players waiting for their turns. Alex Zendejas, Lennard Maloney, DeJuan Jones, Tim Ream, Joe Scally, and Ethan Horvath also wait for their turns.

Focus on Ghana: Lineup, notes

Chris Hughton was a technical advisor for Ghana but was promoted to head coach in February. Saturday's loss to Mexico was his first as Black Stars boss, following wins over Angola, Central African Republic, and Liberia, and draws with Angola and Madagascar.

This will be Ghana's last chance to prepare for World Cup qualification, which begins next month with matches against Madagascar and Comoros.

Ghana has questions in goal but plenty of proven talent in the rest of the squad, beginning up front with Athletic Bilbao's Inaki Williams, Crystal Palace's Jordan Ayew, and Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo.

The midfield is led by Premier League stars Thomas Partey (Arsenal) and Mohammed Kudus (West Ham), while the back line has familiar name Joseph Aidoo (Celta Vigo).