American Players Abroad

Giovanni Reyna made quite the first impression in his Champions League debut.

The American teenager supplied the game-winning assist as Borussia Dortmund beat Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 in the first leg of their UCL round-of-16 match on Tuesday at the Westfalenstadion. 

The second leg is scheduled for March 11 in Paris, with the German side holding a slight edge thanks to Lucien Favre’s introduction of Gio, the son of former USMNT captain Claudio Reyna. 

The year is 2020. A top-of-the-table Bundesliga clash between Bayern Munich and Leipzig is being dictated by a fascinating duel between a 19-year-old Canadian and a 20-year-old American. Bayern Munich doesn’t win. 

How ‘bout that for a bit of science fiction?! But that’s actually what happened on Sunday during the sort of match that proves a 0-0 scoreline can still be a damn good time. 

It feels good to finally say it: It’s been a good weekend for the USMNT. On Friday, three-time World Cup veteran Brian McBride was appointed General Manager of the USMNT. He’ll use his 17 years of professional playing experience — including 14 with the national team — to help develop and manage the player pool while also shifting the culture within the men’s program.

USMNT winger Lynden Gooch recorded a brace in Sunderland’s 3-1 victory over Lincoln City this past weekend to bring his goal tally this term up to seven. With those two goals, the 24-year-old has already matched his output from last season with over 20 games left to play in League One. Gooch has hit his stride at a critical time for the Wearside club as recent poor results saw the team sliding further away from the top six and potential promotion back to the Championship.

With a chance to extend its top-four lead with a victory over a listless Everton side that had just fired its manager, Chelsea couldn’t come up with the goods. And a late Christian Pulisic throw-in consigned the Blues to defeat on Saturday at Goodison Park. 

Everton beat Chelsea 3-1 behind two second-half goals from Dominic Calvert-Lewin, the Toffees’ first win since Nov. 9. Marco Silva was fired earlier this week after a 5-2 loss to archrival Liverpool, leaving Duncan Ferguson as caretaker manager. 

Christian Pulisic had his run of three-straight Premier League games with a goal snapped on Saturday against Manchester City. So on Wednesday he started a new streak, this time scoring in the Champions League — with some help from the VAR.

Pulisic scored his third career Champions League goal to help Chelsea earn a 2-2 draw against Valencia on Wednesday at the Mestalla. 

Manchester City defeated Chelsea 2-1 on Saturday in an enthralling Premier League match that was ultimately decided by City’s midfield quality. While Jorginho failed to exert his influence for 74 minutes on the pitch, City showcased its style with commanding displays from Kevin De Bruyne, Rodrigo and deputizing center back Fernandinho.

Charged with shutting down one of the Premier League’s hottest strikers — Tammy Abraham entered the match with 10 goals and two assists in 11 games — it’s difficult to explain just how good the 34-year-old Brazilian is at reading the game.

The USMNT approaches Friday’s CONCACAF Nations League match against Canada needing a victory to have any chance of advancing to the semifinals of the competition, and they'll do so without attacking catalyst Christian Pulisic, who misses out with a hip injury he sustained against Crystal Palace last Saturday.

Christian Pulisic has scored yet again. *Insert hyperbole here about the young American while ignoring the fact he barely played at the start of the season and up-and-down performances are all just a part of the process for young players.*

What is worrying, however, is the injury sustained as Pulisic scored on Saturday.