ASN’s Brian Sciaretta with a giant column to speak a few very eventful week in American soccer
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
January 29, 2026
4:50 PM
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THE MIDWEEK SAW THE CONCLUSION of the league stage of the Champions League and except for an amazing efficiency from Malik Tillman, it was a lackluster sequence of performances and outcomes. Elsewhere, Alex Freeman is about to depart Orlando for LaLiga, MLS preseason rolls on, and the switch window nears its finish.
Listed below are ideas on all of it.
Tillman’s huge day
Malik Tillman had an enormous day on Wednesday and he was simply the highest American performer within the Champions League. In a recreation the place Bayer Leverkusen wanted a end result to safe advancing, Tillman was the MOTM in delivering a 3-0 win over LaLiga’s Villarreal.
Tillman scored the sport’s first two objectives, each within the first half, and drew 4 fouls as he was a menace to the LaLiga group. His first aim was a block of a goalkeeper go and the second was an ideal strike
Malik Tillman baggage a primary half brace to spice up Bayern Leverkusen’s place within the play-off spots ???????????? pic.twitter.com/GeIfjQLnUm
— CBS Sports activities Golazo ?? (@CBSSportsGolazo) January 28, 2026
However he was harmful throughout his 90 minutes the place he drew 4 fouls and had 60 touches.
This was a major efficiency as a result of Tillman had been combating Bayer Leverkusen – particularly in Bundesliga video games. This was a shot of momentum that ought to give him confidence.
For Mauricio Pochettino, this was huge as a result of too many gamers within the pool haven’t been enjoying properly (Balogun, Tillman, Scally, Reyna, Musah, Trusty). This was good to see a high playmaker present indicators of climbing out of it.
Dills makes Champions League debut
U.S. U-20 midfielder Marvin Dills made his Champions League and first group debut with Eintracht Frankfurt in a 2-0 loss to Tottenham. The German-born American grew up in Germany and has proven promise as a participant. He has featured for the youth nationwide groups of each the USA and Germany however his most up-to-date involvement got here with the U.S. U-19 group in 2025.
???????? Glückwunsch zum Pflichtspieldebüt im Profibereich, Marv! –––––#SGETOT | #SGE | #UCL pic.twitter.com/8intkDpl8B
— Eintracht Frankfurt (@Eintracht) January 29, 2026
Dills, 18, has been across the first group this season however this was a really constructive signal for him. Sure, Eintracht was not going to advance within the event and this was akin to a pleasant. However it was nonetheless an indication that he was one of many high younger gamers within the group’s system.
For Dills, it is going to be attention-grabbing to see if he might be allowed to play with the U.S. U-20 group this cycle. For all of the deal with the World Cup this summer season, the U.S. U-20 group has World Cup qualifying this summer season for the 2027 U-20 World Cup.
Elsewhere within the Champions League
Again on November 26, PSV Eindhoven defeated Liverpool within the Champions League and was in nice form to advance. However the group then fell aside within the event and misplaced their final three to endure an early elimination. On Wednesday, it was a 2-1 loss at house to Bayern Munich to seal their destiny.
Sergino Dest went 90 minutes within the loss and didn’t stand out. He has struggled in his final two video games and was pulled at halftime over the weekend.
Tim Weah and Marseille are out of the Champions League as properly after a stunning 3-0 loss to Membership Brugge in Belgium. Marseille sits third in Ligue 1 however couldn’t advance within the high European competitors regardless of solely needing a draw towards Brugge. Weah is having an excellent season however was unable to generate a lot offensively.
Yunus Musah earned the beginning for Atalanta towards Union SG however was pulled within the 52nd minute as a part of a double substitution with the rating 0-0. Union would then go onto discover a winner within the seventieth minute of a 1-0 victory.
It was a missed probability for Musah who has seen extra enjoying time over the previous month however nonetheless is just not near being a daily starter. This was an opportunity to maneuver in that path and as a substitute he’s again to being an unconvincing choice – who might or might not begin in any recreation.
Regardless of the loss, Atalanta superior.
AS Monaco and Juventus performed to a 0-0 draw which was sufficient for each groups to advance in unseeded positions. Folarin Balogun had a primary half aim known as again for offside however in any other case did little. Weston McKennie was higher throughout his 90 minutes for Juventus. His finest second got here within the fiftieth minute when he despatched a harmful cross for Lois Openda, who was unable to manage the go.
For each gamers, it was the established order. Balogun’s struggles continued whereas McKennie stays a really helpful and productive participant for Juventus.
Johnny Cardoso entered the sport for Atletico Madrid within the sixty fourth minute with the rating 0-0 towards Norway’s Bodo/Glimt in Spain. In the end, he was on the sector for all of the objectives in a stunning 2-1 loss. Consequently, Atletico superior however did not safe a seeded place and the Norwegian group from north of the Arctic Circle superior.
Cardoso handed properly however none of that might be remembered on this dangerous loss.
The one different Individuals on the matchday sheet have been Diego Kochen and Timmy Chandler. Chandler didn’t get off the bench for Eintracht Frankfurt in a 2-0 loss to Tottenham in a end result which eradicated Eintracht. Kochen was an unused backup goalkeeper for Barcelona in a 4-1 win over Copenhagen.
Ultimately, no American participant who performed noticed their groups earn a seeded place inside the highest eight. Solely Kochen was a part of a group that’s seeded.
Weston McKennie, Malik Tillman, Johnny Cardoso, Yunus Musah, and Folarin Balogun will participate within the subsequent spherical with unseeded groups.
Sergino Dest, Tim Weah, and Timmy Chandler noticed their groups eradicated from the competitors.
Notes from overseas
From a nationwide group perspective, Alex Zendejas returned to coaching with Membership America after being sidelined with an extended harm. He’s one other participant who shouldn’t be discounted within the hunt for a World Cup roster spot. His likelihood is very actual.
Gio Reyna missed final weekend’s recreation for Borussia Monchengladbach towards Stuttgart which turned out to be a 3-0. The one description was that it was a “muscular injury.” Right now it was introduced that Reyna would miss this weekend’s recreation for M’Gladbach as properly.
On one other be aware, there are only a lot of Individuals struggling in Germany. Maybe Tillman will now flip it round however Joe Scally had a horrible recreation for M’Gladbach towards Stuttgart. Kristoffer Lund is just not progressing. James Sands is within the relegation zone together with Lennard Maloney (who struggles for minutes). Kevin Paredes nonetheless isn’t 100%. Within the second tier, Julian Inexperienced and Max Dietz are in final place with Greuther Furth. John Tolkin and Holstein Kiel are usually not going to bounce again up. Even Santiago Castaneda is just not off to an excellent begin within the second half of this season.
Fulham made one other bid for Ricardo Pepi. Per Fabrizio Romano, it was a €32m payment. My guess is that this has an excellent probability of going by. PSV is out of the Champions League and don’t want Pepi. Their cushion atop the Eredivisie is robust. For Pepi, it could be an excellent probability to affix a membership the place he can play.
One other factor to look at is the type of Chris Richards and Antonee Robinson within the Premier League. At Fulham, Robinson performed terrific soccer when he returned to the sector in December however recently he was not excellent final weekend in Fulham’s 2-1 win over Brighton (Fulham have been trailing 1-0 when Robinson was subbed out within the sixtieth minute). He got here again from harm and logged a whole lot of minutes instantly. Is he now hitting the wall?
Richards scored a aim for Crystal Palace in a 3-1 loss to Chelsea but it surely was a late comfort aim. However Palace is sinking like a stone
Freeman to Villarreal
The switch of Alex Freeman to Villarreal is now full. Final yr was a banner yr for Freeman at Orlando Metropolis the place he grew to become a starter, made the nationwide group, and earned a switch to a “Big Five” league. In 2025, he made 34 begins in 42 appearances for Orlando throughout all competitions, scoring six objectives and including seven assists. He additionally grew to become a daily with the U.S. nationwide group and concluded 2025 with two objectives in a 5-1 win over Uruguay.
It’s all the time dangerous for a newcomer possible on the verge of creating a World Cup group to switch six months earlier than the event. If he doesn’t play instantly, maybe he jeopardizes his spot.
However Pochettino appears to like Freeman and his athleticism is troublesome to seek out. My guess is Freeman is leaving with an excellent feeling that he’ll play and that Pochettino feels good in regards to the transfer.
— Orlando Metropolis SC (@OrlandoCitySC) January 29, 2026
“Alex’s journey is a testament to the strength of our academy, OCB and the pathway we’ve built,” mentioned Ricardo Moreira, Orlando Metropolis SC Basic Supervisor and Sporting Director. “He showed maturity and commitment at every level, rising from a young prospect to an MLS All-Star and one of the league’s top emerging talents. Watching his development up close has been incredibly rewarding for all of us at the Club. We’re proud of everything Alex has accomplished here and wish him continued success as he takes this next step in his professional career.”
Freeman, 21, has a remarkably brilliant future given his bodily attributes and the potential for him to enhance on what he did in 2025.
Morris receives reward
Aidan Morris has been enjoying nice soccer throughout Middlesbrough’s present four-game successful streak. That run has moved the membership inside three factors of leaders Coventry, and 5 factors forward of third-place Ipswich.
This week, Boro supervisor Kim Hellberg (who solely took over in November) was stuffed with reward for the U.S. nationwide group midfielder.
“He’s a brilliant player, and I think he’s a very funny person. He has an attitude of always wanting to do things to perfection. I like him a lot. He’s very unique in his way of playing – he wants the ball all the time, he’s brave on it and he’s quick in pressing. He’s quick on the ball and off the ball, and especially over short distances where he’s so quick to pres.”
“He is a really good participant and an excellent particular person to work with. He’ll problem you as a result of he appears to be like on the method he desires to play – he desires to be energetic, all the time desires to resolve issues. I like these varieties of gamers as a result of he is like, ‘what should I do here’ or ‘what do you think about this?’ It turns into good talks with him in tactical conferences.
“I love those types of players that want to take responsibility for the team in a tactical way, they want to improve, they want to learn. Never afraid to ask: ‘What did you mean here’. That’s a very fun and very good player to work with.”
Horvath completes transfer to Purple Bulls
Ethan Horvath has been abroad for a very long time relationship again to his teenage years when his dad and mom moved to Norway so he might be a part of Molde earlier than he turned 18 years previous. Throughout his time at Molde, Membership Brugge, Nottingham Forest, Luton City, Cardiff Metropolis, and Sheffield Wednesday he has drifted out and in of beginning lineups, performed properly, been benched, been promoted, been relegated, and performed within the Champions League.
Between the posts, it’s Ethan’s home. pic.twitter.com/tKzbnkmfIC
— Purple Bull New York (@NewYorkRedBulls) January 29, 2026
Now he’s returning stateside to play for the New York Purple Bulls who want a goalkeeper following the departure of Carlos Coronel. Previous to Coronel, the Purple Bull’s goalkeeper was Luis Robles who grew to become a membership legend after he returned from a rocky profession overseas.
Both method, he’s coming in because the No. 1 and it’ll give him an opportunity to play.
McGlynn sharp in preseason
Jack McGlynn was in an excellent place within the fall with Houston however an harm put him in a nasty place. His type this preseason might be attention-grabbing to comply with.
This weekend, he confirmed off his left foot which is among the many finest within the USMNT pool.
Jack McGlynn wanting heathy to start out preseason. Nice left-footed strike right here for a aim pic.twitter.com/PCqLnkFSxx
— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) January 25, 2026
Yanks within the Europa League
Auston Trusty put a horrible recreation final weekend behind him rapidly on Thursday with a aim and a drawn penalty (his go led to a handball) in a 4-2 win over Utrecht. That allowed Celtic to advance to the Europa League knockouts. Trusty was despatched off final weekend in a 2-2 draw with Hearts within the Premiership.
Auston Trusty restores Celtic’s two aim lead because the USMNT worldwide scores in again to again Europa League video games ???? pic.twitter.com/dabKlFo8bD
— CBS Sports activities Golazo ?? (@CBSSportsGolazo) January 29, 2026
Tanner Tessmann performed the second half for Lyon in a 4-2 win over PAOK, who have been lowered to 10 males within the forty first minute. Lyon completed first within the league stage. Lyon scored 3 times with Tessmann on the sector and the Alabama native was robust in controlling the center of the sector towards a shorthanded opponent.
Erik Palmer-Brown and Panathinaikos superior to the Europa League knockouts with a 1-1 draw towards Roma. Palmer-Brown performed all 90 minutes and had certainly one of his finest performances of the season – the place he’s coming back from a long-term harm final season.
