American Players Abroad

Christian Pulisic and Chelsea earned a 2-0 victory vs. Lille on Tuesday in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 clash. Pulisic put on a show for the London club with his best performance of the season by far.

The USMNT star was given the start in his favored left wing position and made the most of it. It could be my American bias, but I got tingles every time he was on the ball. Pulisic’s darting runs and movement on the ball continuously left Lille players on the ground in his wake.

Juventus is an odd club at the moment. The Old Lady, owner of a record 36 Scudettos, isn’t the same side that won nine straight Serie A crowns from 2011-2020. Talent is there, but not everywhere. 

DORTMUND - Borussia Dortmund captain Marco Reus played a part in five goals as his side hammered his former club Borussia Mönchengladbach 6-0 in the Bundesliga on Sunday to stay in touch with leaders Bayern Munich.

Reus, who switched from Gladbach to Dortmund just over a decade ago for $19 million, scored two goals and provided three assists. But he opted not to take a penalty his side were awarded in added time, with Emre Can stepping up and converting to complete the drubbing.

LIVERPOOL — Liverpool had to dig deep for a 3-1 victory against lowly Norwich City with goals by Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz securing the points after the visitors had threatened to pull off a massive shock at Anfield on Saturday.

In the end it looked relatively comfortable for Jürgen Klopp's side as they reduced Premier League leaders Manchester City's lead to six points - for a few hours at least.

Remember when Leeds United tried to buy Brenden Aaronson from RB Salzburg for $20 million during the January transfer window? The Austrian club can now tell potential suitors to double that price after the 21-year-old American put on a show against Bayern Munich in the Champions League Round of 16 on Wednesday. 

After navigating the group stage for the first time in Salzburg's history, the popular opinion was that Bayern was going to give the club a first leg beatdown along the same vein as Manchester City's 5-0 dismantling of Sporting. 

A crucial Serie A encounter in the race for Champions League football between Atalanta and Juventus ended 1-1 at Stadio di Bergamo on Sunday night.

With both sides struggling for fluidity in the attacking third, it looked like a 0-0 outcome was inevitable as we entered the final 15 minutes. Juve's rearguard had been highlighted by the play of Matthijs de Ligt and Danilo, and it was the two Old Lady defenders who'd prove instrumental in both goals.

Chelsea became champions of the world on Saturday after defeating Brazilian side Palmeiras 2-1 in a tight contest that saw extra time and two VAR reviews for penalty kicks. Christian Pulisic played for 90 minutes in a historic game for an American player.

Pulisic made history in the 31st minute when he was substituted on for an injured Mason Mount. He is the first American to ever play in the FIFA Club World Cup.

USMNT star Brenden Aaronson scored his second Austrian Bundesliga goal of the season on Friday in a 2-1 comeback victory vs. Rapid Wien. After his team went behind in The18th minute (see what I did there), Aaronson led the charge in the second half.

In the 64th minute the “Medford Messi” equalized for Red Bull Salzburg with a well-placed finish. I must say I’m a big fan of the broadcast having a “Medford Messi” lower third graphic ready to go.

The New England Revolution made it official Friday, announcing goalkeeper Matt Turner will join Arsenal FC of the Premier League on a summer transfer.

Foxborough, Massachusetts ➡️ London, England.

The #NERevs have agreed to a Summer transfer of @headdturnerr to join @Arsenal in June of 2022.