The fortunes of the U.S. team soon followed, as they ended group play with no games won and only a single point gained from a draw versus Italy.
Perhaps it’s better to think back a little bit when remembering Claudio Reyna’s service to the national team. Only four years ago, he was the steady, yet indomitable force in the midfield for the U.S team, leading the charge against the German defense. That the squad very nearly pulled off the upset was due very much to his efforts.
Afterwards, Reyna draped the American flag over his shoulders and blew kisses to the U.S fans in attendance.
He hinted that the performance might be his curtain call.
Instead, it was merely a dress rehearsal for today, when Reyna officially announced his retirement from international competition. .
“This is it,” Reyna told the assembled press. “It’s my last game. I decided that before the World Cup. It just makes sense to stop now. I think it’s a good time as well, to stop while playing at a good level, so I’m happy with everything. We don’t have a major European championship or something where I felt in two years I could still be playing. So it’s best just to stop now.”
Unfortunately, the setting was not as triumphant as it was back in 2002. Intead of the plucky upstarts they were in South Korea, where they reached the quarterfinals, the Americans arrived in Germany burdened by expectations. They were no longer a surprise to anyone. They also faced one of the most difficult groups in the tournament, taking on the Czech Republic, Italy, and Ghana.
Ultimately, they failed to advance.
Reyna’s legacy, however, cannot be seen in the context of just this one attempt.
As early as 1994, there were whispers abounding that finally there was an American soccer player who could do more than kick and run. Reyna had an ability to control the ball that few in the States could match.
His injury that kept him out of the World Cup in the U.S. weakened the team, especially when Tab Ramos went down in the second round against Brazil. Without Reyna on hand to offer creative playmaking, the American attack wilted. All Brazil needed was a single goal to advance.
Reyna was an essential part of the team that went to win some of the greatest honors it has ever earned. He was instrumental in the Copa America triumph of 1995, when the team defeated Argentina and made the semifinals.
In 1998, a frustrated Reyna coped with a fractious U.S. team. He played every minute of the U.S. matches, but amidst much dissention, the team lost every game.
When coach Bruce Arena came on board soon after, it was a reunion for Reyna, who had played for him in college. Their relationship was not without strains – most notably when Reyna took time off in 2005 when Arena would have preferred that he be available for more matches – but generally, Arena’s involvement seemed to increase Reyna’s commitment.
Aside from his national team honors, Reyna continues to have a thriving professional career abroad. In many ways, it was Reyna who broke the invisible barrier of perception abroad that Americans were useless at the highest club levels. Though he struggled at Bayer Leverkusen and Wolfsburg, he blossomed at Rangers, a Scottish club whose enthusiastic fans readily made him aware of both his contributions and errors.
Capable stints at Sunderland and Manchester City followed.
Though his hardiness was often wondered at, especially in light of his growing list of injuries, Reyna’s skill was unquestioned. This gave all subsequent American hopefuls abroad a measure of credibility.
Certain parts of Reyna’s game often went unappreciated, because they weren’t necessarily the flashy aspects, like scoring goals.
Arena noted, “The great comment I’ve heard about Claudio was from a fellow player, Earnie Stewart, ‘He brings peace to the game.’ He’s established such a comfort level for our players in big games, all along.”
The stability Reyna brought to the midfield was vital whenever the U.S. team needed regrouping.
“We need to settle down sometimes,” Landon Donovan acknowledged. “We have to be a lot smarter, and Claudio helps us do that.”
“He’s been there, in all the big games of the World Cup, our greatest moments,” said Arena, unstinting in his praise.
“A hundred caps, four World Cups, he’s been part of U.S. soccer in good times and bad times. If we look down the road to when we eventually win a World Cup, I think Claudio will still be remembered as one of the greats and one of the pioneers.”
In sum, Reyna’s career and contributions to the American game have been vital and wide-ranging.
Captain America, farewell.
