Assists

Inter Miami’s narrow 4-3 friendly defeat to Saudi Pro League leaders Al Hilal in Riyadh on Monday was highlighted with Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi’s first goals of 2024.

What needs to be discussed more is the incredible Messi assist vs Al Hilal in the 55th minute to set up youngster David Ruiz.

The Herons were trailing 3-1 in the second half until the 54th minute when Messi finished confidently from the penalty spot to bring his side within one. A minute later the score would be level thanks to a beauty of a goal.

Lionel Messi assist vs Al Hilal

United States men’s national team midfielder Luca de la Torre scored his first goal of the 2023-24 season in style on Wednesday with a disgusting backheel goal.

De la Torre opened the scoring of Celta Vigo’s 3-1 Copa del Rey victory vs. Valencia in the 13th minute off a corner kick.

Valencia goalkeeper Jaume Doménech failed to punch the ball out of his box and some quick pinball action inside the 18-yard-box resulted in the ball heading straight for the 25-year-old American.

De la Torre only had a second to react and he turned the chance into an amazing goal.

United States men’s national team forward Christian Pulisic has put his dogdays of Chelsea behind him and is now one of the brightest stars in Serie A being named December’s Player of the Month.

Pulisic churned out quality performances for Milan throughout the month and tallied two goals and two assists. The 25-year-old provided a goal contribution in four of Milan’s five league games in December.

Pulisic named Serie Player of the Month

United States men’s national team midfielder Weston McKennie beautifully supplied two of Juventus’ goals during the team’s 4-0 victory vs. Frosinone in the Italian Cup on Thursday.

The American midfielder is having arguably the best season of his career and the two assists from Thursday only support that argument.

McKennie assists vs. Frosinone

Christian Pulisic came on as a substitute and supplied an assist to Rafael Leão during AC Milan’s 4-1 Coppa Italia Round of 16 victory vs. Cagliari on Tuesday.

Milan were favorites to win the game and had just played a Serie A game on Saturday vs. Sassuolo where Pulisic scored the winner.

Stefano Pioli rested several of his usual starters including the likes of Pulisic, Leão, Olivier Giroud and goalkeeper Mike Maignan.

The Columbus Crew outlasted LAFC 2-1 to win MLS Cup on Saturday in front 20,802 fans at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio. An unbelievable Malte Amundsen assist to Yaw Yeboah gave the Crew their second and game-winning goal.

Amundsen might just have won himself the assist of the season as the Danish center back delivered an inch-perfect ball that cut LAFC’s back line wide open.

Amundsen assist vs LAFC in MLS Cup

TWO FOR THE CREW

United States men’s national team and AS Monaco striker Folarin Balogun turned provider on Saturday as he assisted both of his side’s goals in a 2-1 Ligue 1 victory vs. Rennes.

Balogun entered the match with just one goal contribution in his last six games for Monaco and needed a solid performance. Monaco signed Balogun for roughly $43 million this summer.

The 22-year-old USMNT star delivered on Saturday this time with his passing rather than goal scoring.

Balogun assists vs Rennes

Trinity Rodman is on pace to become one of the next American stars at the international stage and an unbelievable stat for the USWNT in 2023 explains why.

Trinity Rodman is the only player to appear in all 18 USWNT matches in 2023; has historic goal contributions against China

The 21-year old is here to stay.