Category: Americans Abroad

The Americans Abroad Five: The goalkeeper battle heats up

Zack Steffen and Matt Turner are making their cases to start at the World Cup

One month out from the World Cup, and the U.S. national team’s starting goalkeeper is still unknown.

In one corner is Zack Steffen, who joined Middlesbrough on loan from Man City in search of more playing time and has alternated between struggles, injuries, and strong performances.

In the other corner is Matt Turner, who has objectively been better at playing goalkeeper than Steffen over the last two years, but who is also decidedly second choice at Arsenal.

Turner seems to have an ever-so-slight advantage but U.S. boss Gregg Berhalter is a known Steffen aficionado. Should the Boro keeper put together a good run of form, he could edge past Turner at the finish line.

Both goalkeepers are making a strong case lately, which is where we’ll start in the Five this week.

Malik Tillman makes World Cup statement with solo stunner for Rangers

The 20-year-old scored one of the goals of the season for Americans abroad

Malik Tillman appears to be right on the bubble for the U.S. national team World Cup roster.

USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter called Tillman out after naming him to his September roster, saying the 20-year-old “needs to do better. He needs to increase his level.”

Tillman didn’t make much of an impact for the U.S. in two September substitute appearances, and has been mostly used as a reserve after returning to Rangers.

That’s why Sunday’s stunning solo goal could be so important for Tillman.

Making his first league start since September 3, Tillman picked the ball up near midfield against Motherwell and proceeded to dribble right through several defenders before clipping a finish over the goalkeeper for the game’s opening goal.

Rangers would go on to win 2-1, picking up three vital points that saw them move to within two points of first-place Celtic in the table.

It was also a crucial confidence-booster after a 7-1 midweek thrashing at the hands of Liverpool in the Champions League, the fourth group-stage defeat in a row for the Scottish side.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Tillman admitted that his goal would be a major boost to his and his team’s mental state.

“The last few weeks were a bit tough,” Tillman said. “[We] didn’t win in the Champions League and I think it’s an extreme boost for me. We have to keep looking forward and hope we win the next few games as well.”

Watch Tillman’s solo goal vs. Motherwell

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Tim Weah bags two assists in five minutes as Lille thump Strasbourg

Weah is looking sharp, which is great for USMNT fans

Tim Weah’s return from injury doesn’t seem to include a slow build back up to top form.

The U.S. men’s national team attacker, making his second appearance of the 2022-23 season after suffering an ankle issue in preseason, produced two assists in a five-minute span as Lille sprinted to a 3-0 away win over Strasbourg.

Weah made his first appearance of the season for Lille last weekend, playing 16 minutes in a 1-0 win over Lens. On Friday, he came in as a substitute in the 65th minute, with Lille ahead by a goal thanks to Jonathan David’s first half spot kick.

In short order, Weah was setting David up for a brace. A Lille attack in the 76th minute went awry inside the Strasbourg box, but the visitors kept play alive, cycling it wide right for Weah. Given enough room to serve the ball in, Weah chose to drive a low ball back into the mixer towards the Canadian national team striker, and David simply had to tap the ball home from all of four yards.

Five minutes later, Lille surged forward on the break, giving Weah a platform to pick up another assist. A nasty tackle from Gerzino Nyamsi sent Carlos Baleba sprawling, but advantage was played as the ball zipped right to Weah.

Before anyone from Strasbourg could challenge him, Weah cleverly chopped a square pass over to the onrushing Rémy Cabella, who provided a clinical finish from just inside the area.

Now with three wins in their last four games, Lille have moved up to sixth place in Ligue 1 at the moment, just one point off of the European places.

Watch Weah’s two assists for Lille

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Mikel Arteta praises Matt Turner after Arsenal Europa League shutout win

The Arsenal boss liked what he saw as Turner kept a clean sheet

Matt Turner’s good run of form continued Thursday, as he helped Arsenal to a shutout victory in the Europa League.

Mikel Arteta gave the U.S. men’s national team goalkeeper a third start in continental competition, and Turner helped Arsenal to a 1-0 away win over Bodø/Glimt. That broke a 14-game home winning streak in European competition for the Norwegian club, and puts Arsenal on the brink of advancing from their group.

Turner only had to make one save in a game that was largely a tactical stalemate, but he did have to intercept numerous through balls and help organize a defense that was under pressure in the second half. Bodø/Glimt forced Arsenal to do plenty of defensive work and clock management — Turner himself was booked for time-wasting in stoppage time — but ultimately the Gunners navigated the challenge.

The victory keeps Arsenal’s superb start to the season rolling along. They’ve won 11 of their 12 competitive games this year, and a single point in any of their remaining three Europa League matches will seal a spot in the next round.

Arteta praises Turner

Following the match, Arteta told reporters that he’s seeing the improvement the club had hoped for after making a summer move to acquire him from the New England Revolution.

“He’s getting better, obviously we’re asking him different things from what other managers have asked him to do,” said Arteta. “He was much better in the first half than in the second half in my opinion we could have had some more control. But I think he was really good in the goal in situations especially when defending the area in behind the center halves and in the one against one situations, he was really good.”

Asked directly if he’d have enough confidence to start Turner in the Premier League, Arteta gave a clear, simple answer: “Yes.” Aaron Ramsdale remains first choice, though, and barring injury it seems likely that Turner’s next appearances will remain in the Europa League and cup competition.

Still, Turner will have an opening for a regular run of matches in the near future. Arsenal will host PSV next Thursday, October 20, before playing them in the Netherlands one week later. They then conclude their Group A schedule with FC Zürich coming to the Emirates on November 3, and six days later, they will host Brighton in the Carabao Cup.

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Rangers’ USMNT pair gets good view as Mo Salah scores record-breaking Champions League hat trick

It’s probably for the best that Sands and Tillman didn’t play in this one

Maybe Rangers should have put James Sands and Malik Tillman in?

Liverpool had a very rare sort of comeback win in the Champions League Wednesday, turning a 1-0 deficit into a 7-1 victory thanks in no small part to Mohamed Salah scoring a hat trick in all of six minutes and 12 seconds.

Rangers scored their first group stage goal in the 17th minute to take the lead at Ibrox, and though Roberto Firmino replied seven minutes later, the Scottish club — with both Sands and Tillman on the bench — got into halftime with the scores level.

Unfortunately for Rangers, the referees and Liverpool decided to play the second half rather than simply letting everyone go home early. Firmino struck again in the 55th minute, followed by a goal from Darwin Núñez, as Liverpool looked to be cruising to a win.

However, things were about to get worse for Rangers. Salah hadn’t even entered the game at that point, only entering the fray to replace Núñez after the Uruguayan had finished celebrating his goal.

With the clock reading 74:43, Salah took his first step towards a new Champions League record, stabbing a left-footed shot past Allan McGregor from an acute angle to make it 4-1.

The Egyptian star then added Liverpool’s fifth in the 80th minute, with a sneaky shot that used the scrambling Rangers defense as a screen. 96 seconds later, he had his hat trick, characteristically curling home from the right side of the box as the clock ticked over to 80:55.

Salah broke Bafétimbi Gomis’ 11-year-old record, as the French striker had scored an eight-minute hat trick for Lyon against Dinamo Zagreb back in 2011.

For Rangers, who ended up not putting Sands or Tillman into the match at all, it’s been a rough return to the Champions League. They are one of two teams to have lost all four of their matches, and Viktoria Plzen’s -13 goal difference in Group C is slightly better than the -15 mark Rangers has in Group A.

Watch Salah make Champions League history

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Christian Pulisic explains why he’s ‘never been a fan’ of VAR

“I don’t think people realize how much emotions swing in games”

Christian Pulisic is not a fan of VAR.

The U.S. men’s national team and Chelsea star has spoken out against the technology in an excerpt from his upcoming book “Christian Pulisic: My Journey So Far,” which will be available for purchase on October 18.

Pulisic was interviewed shortly after the USMNT lost 2-0 at Canada in a World Cup qualifier in January. CONCACAF introduced VAR ahead of that three-game window after previously not featuring the technology in earlier World Cup qualifiers.

But Pulisic didn’t feel the introduction had much effect. The winger was repeatedly fouled during the match in Hamilton, Ontario, and felt that more should have been done to protect him and his teammates.

Questions from author Daniel Melamud are in italic.

Pulisic on VAR

VAR technology has just been introduced to the World Cup qualifying matches; are you happy about that?

Before I would have said yes for CONCACAF, because I’ve seen some things in CONCACAF that I’ve never seen elsewhere in the way things are handled.

But after this window, specifically in that Canada game, they simply refused to look at certain plays and use it when there were clear and obvious situations when they should. What’s the point if you’re not going to use it? If it’s available and there are obvious foul plays, potential red cards, and they simply don’t use it, I just don’t really understand it.

There were so many heavy challenges and what clearly looked like fouls in that game that weren’t called.

Yeah, I’ve never been a fan of VAR, to be honest, but I thought it could potentially help in these games in CONCACAF, which can be quite physical with a lot of crazy tackles and fouls. But I feel like they didn’t use it to the extent that they could.

And you haven’t been a fan of VAR because it’s disruptive?

Having VAR affects the rhythm of the game. Technology can be really helpful as far as goal-line technology, for example, or making big decisions on whether a card needs changing from a yellow to a red. But at times with VAR, it seems like so many people are unsure about what’s going on, and it can take and change so much emotion in the game.

For example, when you score a goal and then it takes five minutes to get checked, the celebrations are just off; it can be really frustrating to the players. I don’t think people realize how much emotions swing in games and momentum can change in those moments.

You can pre-order “Christian Pulisic: My Journey So Far” right here.

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The Americans Abroad Five: Getting healthy at the right time

Knock on wood but … the USMNT’s injury situation is looking quite rosy a month before Qatar

If there’s one thing the September window showed, it’s that the U.S. men’s national team desperately needs a select few players to be healthy.

Shorn of the injured Yunus Musah, Antonee Robinson and Tim Weah, the USMNT struggled badly in its two friendlies. Clearly the team’s issues went deeper than that trio’s absence, but the Americans’ awful displays would’ve at least been lifted with their presence.

This weekend saw a number of Americans abroad find the net, but no development was more important than the return to the pitch of Musah, Robinson and Weah.

The USMNT seems to be getting healthy at the right time. Knock on wood.

Let’s get to the Five.

Birmingham coach: ‘Special’ Trusty deserves USMNT World Cup roster spot

The 24-year-old has been an ever-present for the Championship side this season

Could Auston Trusty be the answer for the U.S. national team at center back? His club coach thinks so.

After Trusty scored a brace for Birmingham City in a 3-0 win over Bristol City on Saturday, John Eustace said he’s spoken to USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter and told him Trusty deserves to be on the World Cup roster.

“It’s definitely not too late,” Eustace said. “I have spoken to the U.S. manager, I have told him how well he is doing, it’s important that they see that and understand he is playing in one of the toughest leagues in Europe, week in week out against top, top players. He should be on that plane definitely.”

Trusty joined Arsenal this summer from the Colorado Rapids and was immediately sent on loan to Birmingham. He’s been a fixture for the Championship outfit, playing every minute of its 13 league games so far.

With just one month to go until Berhalter names his World Cup squad, the uncapped Trusty would appear to be major longshot despite his strong form in 2022-23.

But Eustace has challenged Berhalter to come to a game and decide for himself.

“I think they have watched a couple of games on video but I have told them to come and get the scouts out and watch him play. He should come and watch him himself. He is a special talent and he is going to be a top player going forward.

“He is getting better. He is a young player coming from the MLS into the Championship, a very, very tough league, he has got good players around him. He is in a good environment for him to develop and that’s what I want.

“I want people to come to Birmingham, develop, get better and improve. He is certainly doing that at the moment. We are very happy to have the player playing for Birmingham City.”

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Christian Pulisic capitalizes on Chelsea start, scores in 3-0 win over Wolves

Good news, USMNT fans!

Christian Pulisic is doing what he can to get off the bench at Chelsea.

Given just his second start of the season by new Chelsea boss Graham Potter, Pulisic capitalized, scoring the second goal as the Blues romped to a 3-0 win over Wolves.

The goal is Pulisic’s first for Chelsea in the 2022-23 season, and notably saw him stationed on the left wing in what was Potter’s second Premier League game in charge since moving over from Brighton in September.

Kai Havertz gave Chelsea the lead deep in first half stoppage time, but they still had work to do to rob Wolves of hope of taking a point at Stamford Bridge.

That’s where Pulisic made his mark. Initially facing a one-on-two, the U.S. men’s national team star worked inside to play a give-and-go with Mason Mount, whose pass on the turn appeared to catch Wolves unprepared. Pulisic was ready, though, and from an acute angle he clipped the ball over the approaching José Sá, a clinical finish to a superb sequence.

Chelsea would put the game on ice in the final minutes, with Armando Broja making it 3-0. The win keeps the team in the top four, and for Pulisic, a goal and a start is a great sign after a worrying start to the year saw his role at the club reduced to utility substitute under Thomas Tuchel.

The goal makes Pulisic just the third American to score 20 Premier League goals, joining USMNT legends Brian McBride and Clint Dempsey.

Watch Pulisic’s first Chelsea goal of 2022-23

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Ricardo Pepi scores brace, continuing red-hot Eredivisie start

The striker has four goals in four games with Groningen thus far

Ricardo Pepi continues to enjoy life in the Netherlands.

The U.S. men’s national team striker scored two goals for Groningen on Friday, as his side fell 3-2 to RKC Waalwijk in an Eredivisie match.

Pepi has played just four games for Groningen since joining on loan from Augsburg but he’s now scored four goals and added an assist in those matches.

It’s a notable turnaround for the 19-year-old, who failed to score or assist a goal for Augsburg after a $20 million move from FC Dallas in January.

Pepi scored from the penalty spot in the first half of Friday’s game, before adding another in the second half after some neat combination play with Florian Krüger.

Per Opta, Pepi has now become the first player this century to be directly involved in five goals in his first four Eredivisie matches with Groningen.

Pepi’s scoring blitz, of course, comes at a most opportune time for his World Cup chances. Having been handed a surprise recall for last month’s USMNT friendlies, the striker is doing everything he can at the club level to keep himself right in the mix for a World Cup roster spot.

With just one month until Gregg Berhalter names his 26-man squad, more night’s like Friday could see Pepi find his way onto the plane for Qatar.

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