Category: Americans Abroad

A whole lot of USMNT players in Europe got relegated this season

It was a painful campaign for a number of Americans abroad, including several in contention for the World Cup squad

The past few seasons have seen a revolution in terms of Americans playing for big clubs in big leagues across Europe.

All of a sudden, USMNT stars were featuring for the likes of Chelsea, Barcelona, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig and more. But there were also more players moving to clubs on the lower end of the totem pole in those leagues as well.

For every Chelsea, there was a Norwich. For every Borussia Dortmund, there was an Arminia Bielefeld or a Greuther Fürth. And so, there were Americans abroad who were always in danger of dropping down a division.

In 2021-22, several prominent Americans abroad saw their teams relegated. Most of them face uncertain futures as they must decide whether to stick around in the second tier next season or seek a transfer to a top-flight club.

Before getting into the bad news, a bit of good news: Fulham is back in the Premier League, meaning so too are Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson. There will also be one more American joining them. Duane Holmes and Huddersfield will face Ethan Horvath’s Nottingham Forest in the Championship playoff final on Sunday.

There was also a notable American coach who avoided relegation on the final day, as Jesse Marsch and Leeds secured their Premier League status in dramatic fashion.

With all that said, now we can get to the bad news…

Jesse Marsch, Leeds stay up amid Premier League final day drama

Leeds made it difficult, but they’re staying in the Premier League

Jesse Marsch and Leeds survived, staving off Premier League relegation by defeating Brentford 2-1 on the tension-filled final day of the Premier League season.

Leeds made it difficult, letting a lead dissolve while Burnley made a desperate push to get level against Newcastle, but ultimately a stoppage-time goal from Jack Harrison just seconds before full time between Burnley and Newcastle kept Leeds in the Premier League.

Both teams came into the final day of the season on 35 points, with Leeds carrying the distinct disadvantage of a goal difference that was 20 worse (-38 to Burnley’s -18). That left Burnley, who were hosting Newcastle, a simple task: match or better Leeds’ result at Brentford, avoid losing by 20 goals, and safety would be assured.

Callum Wilson’s 20th minute penalty put Newcastle ahead, and after halftime Marsch and Leeds added to the advantage, as a 56th minute penalty from Raphinha gave them the lead.

Wilson struck again for Newcastle on the hour mark, giving Leeds even more of a cushion, but Maxwel Cornet replied in the 69th minute to bring a nervous Burnley crowd back to life. Sergi Canos then struck an equalizer for Brentford that survived a VAR check, leaving Leeds just one goal (by Burnley or Brentford) from relegation.

Burnley went inches from an equalizer two separate occasions as they threw everything at Newcastle, but Harrison’s goal four minutes into stoppage time removed any doubt, with Leeds coming back for another season in the top flight.

Marsch, the second American to be named the manager of a Premier League club, took over at Leeds at the end of February. He took the job with Leeds two points clear of the relegation zone and 12 games left to play, but with both Burnley and Everton holding two games in hand. Leeds at one point climbed nine points clear, but then picked up just two points from five games heading into the last day.

However, Burnley won three straight in late April, and with Everton taking 10 points from five games—including Wednesday’s stunning comeback that guaranteed their safety—setting up the final day drama.

That said, the results did improve once Marsch took over for legendary coach Marcelo Bielsa. Leeds picked up 0.88 points-per-game under Bielsa, while they posted a 1.25 rate once Marsch took charge.

Watch Leeds celebrate their survival

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James Sands becomes third USMNT player to feature in major European final

The 21-year-old joined a select club that also includes Clint Dempsey and Christian Pulisic

James Sands joined a select group of American players on Wednesday as he entered the field for Rangers against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League final.

Sands came into the game in the 101st minute, with the match all square at 1-1 in extra time. The 21-year-old had one long ball that nearly led to a goal for Rangers, but later could only watch as his side fell 5-4 in a penalty shootout.

But Sands still made some history by entering the pitch, becoming just the third American to play in a major European men’s final.

Clint Dempsey became the first when he played in Fulham’s 2010 Europa League final loss to Atlético Madrid, then Christian Pulisic played for Chelsea in last season’s Champions League final win over Manchester City.

Sands fights for minutes with Rangers

Sands joined Rangers in January on a loan through June 2023 with a purchase option.

The versatile defender/midfielder has had to fight for playing time, making 14 appearances in all competitions with seven starts.

Sands is in a battle for a USMNT roster spot at the World Cup and for now looks to be on the outside looking in. He earned all seven of his caps in 2021, but has not featured for the national team since September.

Though Rangers finished as runners-up in the Europa League and the league behind Celtic, they will still have a shot for a trophy this season when they take on Hearts in the Scottish Cup final on Saturday.

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USMNT prospect Ledezma scores first PSV goal

The 21-year-old marked a major milestone in his return from a devastating knee injury

Richy Ledezma hit a major milestone in his long road back from a devastating injury, scoring his first PSV goal on Sunday.

The 21-year-old marked himself as one of the best American prospects in Europe before an ACL tear in December 2020 kept him out for an entire year.

Ledezma has slowly been working his way back with PSV, playing for the Dutch side’s reserves and making a handful of brief cameos for the senior side.

But Ledezma got 31 minutes off the bench in Sunday’s season-ending match against Zwolle and made his time on the pitch count, scoring the game-winning goal in the 73rd minute.

Ledezma will face a crucial season in 2022-23, as he aims to establish himself as a first-team regular with the Dutch power and add to his single U.S. senior national team cap.

Watch Ledezma’s first PSV goal

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Injured McKennie dances in the stands during Coppa Italia final

Unfortunately for Juventus, the midfielder’s only contribution on the evening came in the dancing department

Weston McKennie couldn’t play in Juventus’s Coppa Italia final against Inter on Wednesday, but he still managed to have his share of fun at the game.

McKennie was filmed dancing in the stands along with thousands of other Juventus fans during a second-half spell after they had taken a 2-1 lead.

Unfortunately for Juve, those good times would not last. Inter equalized through a late penalty and then Ivan Perisic scored twice in extra time to give his side a 4-2 victory.

McKennie has been sidelined since late February due to a broken metatarsal in his foot, and appears to be drawing close to a return.

Unfortunately for Juventus, his only contribution in Wednesday’s game came in the dancing department.

Watch McKennie dance at the Coppa Italia final