Giovanni Reyna was a "nightmare" for Paraguay upon his return to the United States' lineup, declared Mauricio Pochettino after Saturday's 2-1 win in Chester, Pennsylvania.

Reyna made his first start for the USMNT since July 2024 and marked the occasion with a goal, heading in off the underside of the crossbar following a fourth-minute scramble.

The 23-year-old became the 51st different player to start a game for the USA in 2025, their second-most in a calendar year after 2023 (54), and it was also his first start in any match since representing Borussia Monchengladbach against Werder Bremen on September 14.

Alex Arce equalised for Paraguay in the 10th minute, but the USA got their winning goal through Folarin Balogun, who converted after Reyna's centre deflected into his path with 71 minutes played.

Reyna was the only USA player to create two chances for team-mates and ended the game with more passes in the final third (26) than any other player on either side.

And though Pochettino was delighted with his impact, he knows the attacking midfielder needs to play more regularly in the Bundesliga ahead of next year's World Cup. 

"How he reads the game and finds the free space in between the lines, I think that was a nightmare for Paraguay, and I think he did a very good job," Pochettino said of Reyna.

"He scored, he did a very good job. We're so happy with him. 

"He showed why he started, and he has confirmed that he's a player that needs to improve, because he needs to play more in his club, but we can see today that he was great."

The USA and Paraguay had eight shots apiece on Saturday, though the hosts won the expected goals (xG) battle by 1.11 to 0.7.

They are now unbeaten in four games (three wins, one draw) ahead of Tuesday's meeting with Uruguay in Tampa, Florida, but Pochettino says they are still a work in progress. 

"I think we created chances, we were better, against a team that I think is very competitive and difficult to beat," the former Tottenham and Chelsea coach added. 

"But that is not enough. We are happy, but we need to keep going, because we need to improve, improve, improve, and arrive at the World Cup in our best, in our peak."