Christian Pulisic (l.) only has good things to say about Borussia Dortmund's US teenager Gio Reyna (r.). - © getty/ imago/ DFL
Christian Pulisic (l.) only has good things to say about Borussia Dortmund's US teenager Gio Reyna (r.). - © getty/ imago/ DFL
bundesliga

Christian Pulisic: "The sky's the limit for Gio Reyna"

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Former Borussia Dortmund star Christian Pulisic says he is expecting big things from USMNT teammate Gio Reyna.

Reyna scored twice as Dortmund booked their place in the 2020/21 DFB Cup final with a 5-0 drubbing of second-tier Holstein Kiel over the weekend.

The 18-year-old playmaker has now registered eight goals and as many assists in 60 competitive appearances since making his senior BVB debut in January 2020.

"I think for Gio, really, the sky's the limit," Pulisic told CBS Sports. "He's got a bright future ahead of him. But like I said, he's still got a lot to prove to get to that point.

"Obviously, we see the potential right now and a lot of talent. So we're really excited. He's gotta keep proving himself."

With seven goals and six assists in 42 outings across the 2020/21 campaign alone - his first full season as a Dortmund pro no less - it's no wonder Reyna has caught his countryman's eye.

Treading an eerily similar path to the one carved out by Pulisic, the former New York City prodigy also made his USMNT debut in November 2020.

Watch: Gio Reyna's story

Pulisic spent five years at Dortmund, having - like Reyna - joined the club as a 16-year-old and debuted in the Bundesliga at 17.

The now Chelsea attacker totalled 19 goals and 26 assists in 127 games for Die Schwarzgelben, whilst winning his first major trophy - the 2016/17 DFB Cup - aged 18.

Watch: Christian Pulisic - Made in the Bundesliga

Reyna, who has already usurped Pulisic in the UEFA Champions League record books as the tournament's youngest US-born debutant and provider, now has the opportunity to further emulate his predecessor.

Victory against RB Leipzig and USA teammate Tyler Adams in the final on 13 May would land Reyna his first piece of silverware.

Given that he is already outperforming Pulisic over his first 60 games for Dortmund, you wouldn't bet against him joining the Hershey native as one of only a handful of American DFB Cup winners. The only difference is that he'd be the youngest yet.