Claudio Reyna

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Reyna's international career began with his first cap against Norway on January 15, 1994. He was a member of the 1994 FIFA World Cup team on home turf but did not play due to a hamstring injury. He did play in the 1998, 2002, and 2006 FIFA World Cups. In 2002, despite sitting out the opening 3–2 upset win over Portugal due to injury, he was a key contributor in the next three U.S. games — a tie against South Korea, a loss to Poland, and a win over CONCACAF rival Mexico. In the quarterfinals, the U.S. lost to eventual runner-up Germany. He was named to the World Cup all-tournament team, the first American to do so. In 2006, Reyna again captained the U.S. at the World Cup in Germany. Trailing 1–0 in the opener against the Czech Republic, Reyna fired a 30-yard shot that bounced off the post, the best American chance in the game. In the final group game against Ghana, Reyna suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament when he lost the ball to Haminu Draman who then dribbled in alone and scored Ghana's first goal. On June 23, 2006, the day after the U.S. was eliminated from the World Cup, Reyna announced his retirement from the national team. He ended his international career with 111 caps and eight goals.

In Their Own Story

The 2002 World Cup quarterfinal against Germany was the defining moment of Reyna's international career. The U.S. had already stunned Portugal, battled South Korea to a draw, and beaten Mexico in the Round of 16. Now they faced the tournament's eventual runner-up. Reyna, who had missed the Portugal win due to injury, was back in the lineup, orchestrating from midfield. In the 49th minute, with the U.S. trailing 1-0, he delivered a corner kick that found the head of Gregg Berhalter, whose shot was cleared off the line by a German defender. Minutes later, Reyna played a through ball to Landon Donovan, whose cross was turned in by an American foot — only for the referee to wave play on. The U.S. pushed, but Germany held. After the final whistle, Reyna walked off the field in Ulsan knowing his team had come within inches of the semifinals. His performance across the tournament earned him a place on the World Cup all-tournament team, the first American ever selected. It was the highest individual honor a U.S. player had received on the global stage, and it validated everything Reyna had worked for since his first cap eight years earlier.

Reader's Guide

Reyna's international career spanned four World Cups, but his most impactful tournament was 2002. After missing the opening win over Portugal due to injury, he returned to face South Korea, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1-1 draw. Against Poland, he started again, though the U.S. lost 3-1. In the Round of 16 against Mexico, Reyna was instrumental in a 2-0 victory, controlling the midfield and helping the U.S. His selection to the World Cup all-tournament team was a historic first for an American player. The 2006 World Cup in Germany was his final tournament. In the opener against the Czech Republic, his 30-yard shot that bounced off the post was the best American chance in a 3-0 loss. In the final group game against Ghana, he suffered a sprained MCL after losing the ball to Haminu Draman, who scored Ghana's first goal. The U.S. was eliminated, and Reyna announced his retirement from the national team the next day. He finished with 111 caps and eight goals, having captained the team through two World Cups and represented his country at two Olympic tournaments (1992 and 1996).

Did You Know?

• Reyna was named to the 2002 FIFA World Cup all-tournament team, the first American ever to receive that honor.
• He earned 112 caps for the USMNT from 1994 to 2006, retiring from the national team the day after the U.S. was eliminated from the 2006 World Cup.
• In Great Britain, he was occasionally referred to as 'Captain America' because of his status as captain of the U.S. national team.
• Reyna was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2012, receiving 96% of the ballots.
• He represented the U.S. at two Olympic tournaments: the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona and the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.