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Giovanni Reyna Dortmund 2023(C)Getty Images

Gio Reyna's last Borussia Dortmund appearance? USMNT star makes his mark off bench amid transfer rumors but Jadon Sancho goes quiet in win over Bochum

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  • Reyna comes off bench for Dortmund
  • Sancho makes start
  • Fullkrug hat-trick seals win
  • Niclas Fuellkrug of Dortmund celebrates Salih Oezcan of DortmundGetty Images

    WHAT HAPPENED?

    It didn't take long for Dortmund to seize the lead as they needed just six minutes to get the opening goal. It came from the foot of Niclas Fullkrug, who scored from the penalty spot to net an early goal.

    Dortmund, though, totally squandered their advantage just before halftime with a calamitous own goal. Miscommunication between Alexander Kobel and Nico Schlotterbeck led to the Dortmund defender sliding a cross straight into the back of the net, leaving the two sides level at the half.

    Fullkrug, though, couldn't be denied, as he headed home a cross from Marcel Sabitzer in the 72nd minute to give Dortmund a 2-1 lead they'd never relinquish as they earned three huge points. Fullkrug added one more for good measure, though, netting from the penalty spot yet again in the final moments to complete his hat-trick.

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  • THE BIGGER PICTURE

    The win vaults Dortmund up to fourth place in the Bundesliga as the club pushes for a Champions League spot. Any hope at the title is almost certainly gone, with Dortmund sitting 13 points behind first-place Bayer Leverkusen and 11 points behind second-place Bayern Munich through 19 matches, but the club will still be focused on earning a top-four berth despite intense competition from RB Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt.

  • Gio Reyna USMNT 2023Getty Images

    USMNT IMPACT

    Reyna came off the bench for Dortmund once again, with his hopes of starting further diminished by the recent arrival of Jadon Sancho. The on-loan Manchester United winger was named to the starting XI and had some okay moments, but couldn't quite create a goal before coming off late.

    Meanwhile, Reyna entered the match in the 66th minute, replacing Youssoufa Moukoko. The American had several bright sequences, including one that saw what looked to be a goal blocked away at the last second. The American definitely added life to the Dortmund attack after coming on, with that one blocked shot the closest he came to contributing to a goal.

    Reyna, of course, has been the subject of transfer windows for weeks, having been linked with an exit even before Sancho's arrival. With the January transfer window winding down, Reyna could still be on the move as American fans will be keeping a close eye on his status over the next several days.

  • Gio Reyna Dortmund 2023-24Getty

    GOAL'S RATINGS

    Gio Reyna (7/10):

    Provided a spark off the bench and could have gotten a goal. This may have been his last Dortmund match, and it also offered a glimpse into what might have been, or what could be should he stay.

  • Gio Reyna Borussia Dortmund 2023-24Getty

    WHAT COMES NEXT?

    Up next for Dortmund is a visit to Heidenheim, with the two sides set to go head-to-head on Friday for Matchday 20 of the Bundesliga season. Before that, though, the January transfer window will slam shut with all eyes on the comings and goings over the next few days.