Almost three years removed from the USMNT’s spectacular failure to qualify for its eighth consecutive World Cup, American players are having a moment.
Christian Pulisic didn’t feature Monday in Chelsea’s opening match of the new Premier League season. America’s best player, still recovering from the hamstring injury he suffered in last month’s FA Cup final, might not be available this weekend, when the Blues travel to champions Liverpool.” data-reactid=”17″ type=”text”>No, Christian Pulisic didn’t feature Monday in Chelsea’s opening match of the new Premier League season. America’s best player, still recovering from the hamstring injury he suffered in last month’s FA Cup final, might not be available this weekend, when the Blues travel to champions Liverpool.
But that’s about the only disappointing news these days when it comes to how members of the national team pool are faring both at home in MLS and, more significantly from a USMNT perspective, at the very highest levels of the sport.
has been pushed back once again because of the coronavirus pandemic. And while U.S. Soccer is still hoping to schedule a few friendlies this fall, nothing has been finalized yet.” data-reactid=”23″ type=”text”>When some of those players might don a USMNT shirt again remains to be seen. The start of World Cup qualifying in the CONCACAF region has been pushed back once again because of the coronavirus pandemic. And while U.S. Soccer is still hoping to schedule a few friendlies this fall, nothing has been finalized yet.
Coach Gregg Berhalter still has to be happy man these days though, considering how most of his players, key guys and up-and-comers alike, have been performing with their clubs over the last week or so.
Weston McKennie (middle) has his sights set on a starting job with Juventus this season. (Daniele Badolato/Getty Images)
USMNT players trending up
Those worried McKennie might languish on the bench in Serie A following his move from German side Schalke shouldn’t. The 22-year-old was signed upon the request of rookie manager Andrea Pirlo, and McKennie was in Pirlo’s starting lineup (alongside the likes of Giorgio Chiellini, Juan Cuadrado and Cristiano Ronaldo) in Sunday’s 5-0 preseason win over third-tier Novara.
McKennie will earn everything he gets in Turin. He’ll face still competition, particularly from Arthur Melo, for a box-to-box role. But the Texan is also full of confidence following his high-profile transfer. He was brought to Juve to play, and he’ll get every chance to prove he belongs in Pirlo’s best 11.” data-reactid=”39″ type=”text”>Takeaway: The hard-running McKennie will earn everything he gets in Turin. He’ll face still competition, particularly from Arthur Melo, for a box-to-box role. But the Texan is also full of confidence following his high-profile transfer. He was brought to Juve to play, and he’ll get every chance to prove he belongs in Pirlo’s best 11.
Adams earned Man of the Match honors in Saturday’s 3-0 German Cup win over Nurnberg.
in the Champions League last month plus an injury to Konrad Laimer have helped the New Yorker win back a starting spot — even if some of his 90 minutes Saturday came in central defense (!) in manager Julian Nagelsmann’s back three.” data-reactid=”42″ type=”text”>Takeaway: His heroics off the bench in the Champions League last month plus an injury to Konrad Laimer have helped the New Yorker win back a starting spot — even if some of his 90 minutes Saturday came in central defense (!) in manager Julian Nagelsmann’s back three.
Nagelsmann said afterward. “It gives us new opportunities for the future.” Wherever Adams lines up, the best news might be that the 21-year-old is fully fit and healthy again after missing most of 2019-20 with groin and foot injuries.” data-reactid=”43″ type=”text”>“Tyler played like a quarterback,” Nagelsmann said afterward. “It gives us new opportunities for the future.” Wherever Adams lines up, the best news might be that the 21-year-old is fully fit and healthy again after missing most of 2019-20 with groin and foot injuries.
continues to show why he’s the domestic league’s most sought-after young American. Check his goal last week against the New York Red Bulls:” data-reactid=”45″ type=”text”>The 19-year-old continues to show why he’s the domestic league’s most sought-after young American. Check his goal last week against the New York Red Bulls:
F Tyler Boyd, Besiktas (Turkey)” data-reactid=”49″ type=”text”>F Tyler Boyd, Besiktas (Turkey)
Speaking of great goals, how about this bomb from Boyd in Sunday’s Super Lig-opening 3-1 win over Trabzonspor:
Sargent had the game-winner Saturday in Bremen’s 2-0 German Cup triumph over fourth-division Carl Zeiss Jena.
M Konrad de la Fuerte, Barcelona (Spain)” data-reactid=”61″ type=”text”>M Konrad de la Fuerte, Barcelona (Spain)
The teenager became the first American to appear for Barcelona’s first team when he came off the bench in Saturday’s preseason win over Gimnastic de Tarragona:
F Jozy Altidore, Toronto FC (MLS)” data-reactid=”66″ type=”text”>F Jozy Altidore, Toronto FC (MLS)
Altidore scored his first goal of the COVID-cursed 2020 MLS season last Wednesday in Montreal:
M Julian Green, Greuther Furth (Germany)” data-reactid=”71″ type=”text”>M Julian Green, Greuther Furth (Germany)
2014 World Cup vet Green enters the 2020-21 2. Bundesliga slate in sizzling form.” data-reactid=”72″ type=”text”>With five goals in six preseason games — including a brace against top-flight Borussia Monchengladbach — 2014 World Cup vet Green enters the 2020-21 2. Bundesliga slate in sizzling form.
M Giovanni Reyna, Borussia Dortmund (Germany)” data-reactid=”74″ type=”text”>M Giovanni Reyna, Borussia Dortmund (Germany)
especially early on, as he embarks on his first full year with BVB’s first team. On Monday, he started and scored (via a deflection) in BVB’s German Cup win over Duisburg.” data-reactid=”75″ type=”text”>The 17-year-old phenom has enjoyed a fine preseason, especially early on, as he embarks on his first full year with BVB’s first team. On Monday, he started and scored (via a deflection) in BVB’s German Cup win over Duisburg.
M/F Jordan Morris, Seattle Sounders (MLS)” data-reactid=”77″ type=”text”>M/F Jordan Morris, Seattle Sounders (MLS)
Morris has three goals and three assists in Seattle’s last six games and is averaging a goal every 118 minutes in 2020. On Monday, he was named MLS Player of the Week
D Reggie Cannon, Boavista (Portugal)” data-reactid=”80″ type=”text”>D Reggie Cannon, Boavista (Portugal)
became official last week.” data-reactid=”81″ type=”text”>The fleet-footed 22-year-old right back’s transfer from FC Dallas became official last week.
M Sebastian Lletget, LA Galaxy (MLS)” data-reactid=”83″ type=”text”>M Sebastian Lletget, LA Galaxy (MLS)
Galaxy win four times and draw once in five games since since the regular season resumed last month. Last week’s POTW also rode the bicycle in the Sept. 6 demolition of LAFC:” data-reactid=”84″ type=”text”>With four goals and two helpers, Lletget has helped the Galaxy win four times and draw once in five games since since the regular season resumed last month. Last week’s POTW also rode the bicycle in the Sept. 6 demolition of LAFC:
F Aron Johannsson, Hammarby (Sweden)” data-reactid=”88″ type=”text”>F Aron Johannsson, Hammarby (Sweden)
Beset by injuries over the last five years, Johannsson is healthy and tearing up the Allsvenskan with four goals in his last three games and six in his last seven.
D George Bello, Atlanta United (MLS)” data-reactid=”91″ type=”text”>D George Bello, Atlanta United (MLS)
One of the few bright spots of the Five Stripes’s season so far has been the play of 18-year-old homegrown left back Bello, who has started five of Atlanta’s last six games. Bello scored his second career goal Saturday in a 4-2 loss to expansion side Nashville.
F Tim Weah, Lille (France)” data-reactid=”94″ type=”text”>F Tim Weah, Lille (France)
After missing most of last season with hamstring issues, Weah entered off the bench in each of Lille’s last two Ligue 1 matches.
Takeaway: Like Green, Weah — if he can stay healthy — seems like shoo-in to receive his first invite from Berhalter before the year is out.
The 19-year-old will spend this season in the Eredivisie on loan from Germany’s Wolfsburg.
USMNT players trending down
A year on from breaking into the lineup with Champions League mainstay Ajax, Dest lost his right back job to Noussair Mazraoui during the preseason.
D DeAndre Yedlin, Newcastle (England)” data-reactid=”104″ type=”text”>D DeAndre Yedlin, Newcastle (England)
Yedlin didn’t dress for Saturday’s season-opening win over West Ham.
According to a local report, Newcastle is looking to offload the 27-year-old before the transfer window closes next month. Besiktas is one potential destination.” data-reactid=”106″ type=”text”>Takeaway: According to a local report, Newcastle is looking to offload the 27-year-old before the transfer window closes next month. Besiktas is one potential destination.
Arsenal its first goal Saturday en route to a 3-0 loss.” data-reactid=”108″ type=”text”>Ream made the error that gifted Arsenal its first goal Saturday en route to a 3-0 loss.
D Antonee Robinson, Fulham (England)” data-reactid=”110″ type=”text”>D Antonee Robinson, Fulham (England)
The 23-year-old left back was not in uniform for Saturday’s game against the Gunners.
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