OFF THE WALL

American Reyna, only 17, scores goal in Bundesliga

Giovanni Reyna, a 17-year-old attacker for Borussia Dortmund, on Saturday became the second-youngest American to score in the German Bundesliga.

Christian Pulisic, now with Chelsea in the English Premier League, was also 17 when he scored in April 2016 for Dortmund against Hamburg, but was 100 days younger.

Reyna, son of former U.S. World Cup captain

struck in the 35th minute on an angled shot in the season opener against visiting Mönchengladbach. The assist was credited to another 17-year-old,

Jude Bellingham, an Englishman making his Bundesliga debut.

Early in the second half, Reyna drew a penalty kick, which Norwegian forward

converted. Later, Haaland, 20, scored again in the 3-0 victory. Reyna played 79 minutes.

Last season, Reyna appeared in 15 league matches and started twice.

Saturday’s goal was not Reyna’s first with Dortmund’s first team: He scored in German Cup matches in February and last Monday. Before the first-team call-up, he starred for the under-19 squad.

Reyna rose through New York City FC’S youth academy in MLS before going abroad. He is a prominent figure in U.S. soccer’s young corps of players overseas. Others include Pulisic, who turned 22 on Friday; Juventus midfielder Weston Mckennie, 22; Ajax defender Sergiño Dest, 19; Werder Bremen forward

Josh Sargent, 20; and RB Leipzig midfielder

Tyler Adams, 21.

Reyna is a prime candidate next summer for the Olympic squad, which is primarily for players 23 and under.

Trivia question

On this date in 1968, Mickey Mantle hit his 536th and last home run. The pitcher he hit it off won the 1967 American League Cy Young Award. Who was it?

They said it

From AP’S Rob Maaddi, on the Snyders’ 27-17 upset win over the Eagles: “The Washington Football Team played like a group of guys determined to make a name for themselves.”

From Bob Molinaro in the Norfolk Virginian-pilot, on the ACC’S push to let all 346 D-I basketball teams into next year’s NCAA tournament: “Will players be given juice boxes and participation trophies?”

From blogger Chad Picasner, on the Giants releasing corpulent third baseman Pablo Sandova for a second time: “In his day, Pablo was very good around the plate — both home plate and the dinner plate.”

From Jack Finarelli of Sportscurmudgeon.com, trying to find a silver lining in the Clippers’ hapless 50 seasons: “They have earned more accolades than the Washington Generals have.”

Trivia anwer

Boston’s Jim Lonborg was the pitcher. Lonborg was 22-9 with a 3.16 ERA in ’67 but slumped badly in 1968. He was 6-9 with a 4.29 ERA that season. Lonborg’s only season with 20 victories was his Cy Young season. He won 18 in 1976 with Philadelphia and finished his 15-year career with 157 victories.

Reyna,

Claudio

Haaland

Erling