Claudio Reyna is a genius. He’s playing a game of chess that no one else is thinking about and I love him for it. Let me explain.
Last summer, the news began hitting Austin FC Twitter that a talented forward from Russian powerhouse Zenit was coming to ply his trade at Q2 Stadium. Since arriving, Sebastián Driussi has transformed an Austin attack that struggled mightily during the first half of 2021. He has 8 goals and 7 assists in just 19 appearances so far for the Verde and Black. ESPN’s Taylor Twellman effusively praised Driussi this past Sunday, calling him a potential Top 5 player in the league right now.
However spotting Sebastián’s ample gifts isn’t what makes Reyna’s coup so well crafted. Inter Miami nearly had Driussi themselves before pivoting to acquire Gonzalo, “I thought this was a smoking league”, Higuaín. No friends, what makes last year’s acquisition so smart are the long term implications. For you see, shortly after arriving, Driussi announced that he and his wife Vanesa were having their second child.
Why does all of this matter? Because this week, Vanesa delivered a baby boy in Austin.
An expert on elite player reproduction himself, Reyna probably knew that a family man like Driussi had a baby on the way (or at least would be working on #2 soon after arriving in ATX). So not only did Claudio sign an immensely gifted player to star for our current squad, but he has now also locked up the following for Baby Driussi in the future:
- Homegrown status on an Austin FC contract
- Domestic spot on the roster, thus saving precious international slots
- Eligibility for the US National Team
If you don’t think that last point matters to Claudio, well then let me point you to exhibits A & B:
Gio Reyna
Credit: SI
From all of us at The False 9, congratulations to the happy couple on their new addition. And to Baby D, we await your arrival on the academy pitch with bated breath.
I’ll be back later today with the weekly MLS Cheering Guide.
Uncle Tony P.
Uncle Tony P. is a lifelong Austin FC supporter and overall handsome son of a bitch who always has a full supply of mustard on hand for his Verde friends.