Aug 23, 2010

Where are they now? Big Names in Virginia Soccer History - Claudio Reyna

Claudio Reyna

Many U.S. and University of Virginia soccer fans remember former US National team, New York Red Bull, and UVA player Claudio Reyna.

Back before Landon Donovan was the biggest name in US soccer, Claudio Reyna was widely considered one of the greatest players from the United States. Reyna played on three U.S. world cup squads in 1998, 2002, and 2006 as well as two Olympic teams in 1992 and 1996.

While on the men’s soccer team at the University of Virginia from 1991-1994 Reyna played for head coach Bruce Arena, who of course went on to coach the men’s national team. They combined to win three national championships at UVA.

After his amazing college career Reyna went to Europe and played for Bayer Leverkusen, Rangers, Sunderland, and Manchester City before returning in 2007 to join MLS side New York Red Bulls.
Currently Claudio Reyna is busy running the Claudio Reyna Foundation whose mission statement is “to Invest, Instill, and Inspire underprivileged youth in urban communities by providing positive experiences through Education, Community Involvement, and Soccer that grow healthy bodies, minds, and spirits. He was also named US Youth Soccer Technical Director by USSF in April 2010. Reyna is married, has three sons and one daughter, and now lives in Bedford, N.Y.




1 comment:

  1. Definitely an underappreciated player during and after his playing days.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for adding to the Virginia Online Soccer News discussion.