CHESTER, Pa. — Gio Reyna scored in his first international start in 16 months to surpass his father in career goals, then set up Folarin Balogun’s tiebreaking goal in the 71st minute to lead the U.S. men’s soccer team to a 2-1 win against Paraguay in an exhibition between World Cup-bound teams that sparked a brawl late in the game Saturday night at Subaru Park.
American defender Alex Freeman and Paraguay captain Diego Gomez both tried to pick up a ball that rolled out during second-half stoppage time, and they started scrapping as both benches joined in. Paraguay’s Omar Alderete, who was not in the game, was given a red card, while U.S. midfielder Cristian Roldan received a yellow card.
“That type of situation are very, very, very dangerous,” U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino. “I don’t like this type of situation.”
Playing two days after his 23rd birthday, the oft-injured Reyna scored in the fourth minute of his first start for club or country since Sept. 14 and just his second since March 1.
Alex Arce took advantage of a defensive lapse to equalize in the 10th minute.