Gio Reyna with his first start of 2024! USMNT star gets the nod in Borussia Dortmund's friendly draw against AZ Alkmaar

The friendly, which was played in four 30-minute periods with stoppage between them all, saw the two sides clash in a top match. Dortmund's Dutch opponents took the lead early through Evangelos Pavlidis and doubled their lead in the 36th minute through Jens Odegaard. Ex-Bayern Munich man Marcel Sabitzer then gave the Black and Yellow life with a goal back in the 63rd minute before Marco Reus brought them level 17 minutes later.

USMNT star Gio Reyna was subbed off at the 'halftime' break, playing 60 minutes for Dortmund in the fixture. It was the largest sum of playing time he has had since November 1, when he played 70' in their DFB Pokal victory over Hoffenheim.

In their first match of 2024, Edin Terzic opted to roll Reyna out in the starting XI, alongside much of the first-team. However, he occupied what appeared to be a deeper-lying central role instead of his normal role as an attacking midfielder. Regardless, it's important minutes for the USMNT youngster, especially with a potential loan away from Dortmund on the cards.

Reyna getting the start is big, big news for Gregg Berhalter and Co. as the young midfielder needs minutes - and fast. Even if this is just preparation for a January loan move away from the club, he's shown that he's fit and healthy and ready to play. The USMNT needs an in-form Reyna for 2024, and if this is the way it starts, the horizon seems rather positive at the moment.

Gio Reyna (7/10): Reyna getting the nod from Terzic is massive for his confidence, and he repaid him with a solid midfield performance. With it being a friendly, i'm not sure the result matters much here.

The Black and Yellow take the pitch again on Tuesday with a friendly against Standard Liege before returning to Bundesliga action against SV Darmstadt on Saturday, January 13.