Reunion in Germany: Former NYCFC Academy players are together again | OneFootball

Over the weekend, there was a reunion between two former New York City FC Academy players. Gio Reyna, who played in the academy before joining Borussia Dortmund when he was 16, and Joe Scally, who was a Homegrown player for the Pigeons, are now on the same team. Reyna officially joined Borussia Mönchengladbach after six years of playing for Dortmund.

Scally has been with the team since 2021, joining after the 2020 COVID season, in which he had a few appearances for the NYCFC first team. Therefore, he and Reyna are teammates again, for they were in the same academy class while with the Boys in Blue. In fact, both players were a part of the U16 team that won the Generation adidas Cup Premier Division back in 2017.

NYCFC will be represented at Gladbach

In some ways, this was a surprising move. It came out of nowhere, especially since the rumors had Reyna joining Parma Calcio 1913 in Italy. But Gladbach wanted to give the USMNT player a chance, and the move was ideal for him. He is familiar with Germany and the Bundesliga, whereas Parma would be a new country and league.

Plus, his former academy teammate and friend, Scally, is there. Knowing someone on his new team can aid with the transition and adjustment.

More importantly, Reyna truly needed a change in scenery and has for the last few seasons. Yes, injuries sadly plagued his time in Dortmund. But often he would work his way back and play regularly with the first team. But those minutes decreased over the last few years; it was thought he would have left a year or two ago.

Despite recent struggles, it was known he had the talent to play well. He continued to play well with the USMNT, and then the 2020-21 season with Dortmund highlighted his capabilities and potential. It was not like a team would be getting someone who had already hit his prime. Rather, Gladbach is bringing him in knowing he can get back to where he was as a player.

Of course, it is a bit of a risk. Reyna might have been better off completely switching leagues. His injury history does not help either, for even if he plays well with his new team, he might continue to consistently get hurt.

Hopefully, everything will work out for Reyna. Moreover, perhaps he and Scally will truly represent the NYCFC academy system by both being successful with Gladbach.