ASN: Yanks Overseas weekend: Aaronson’s equalizer, Morris debut, Westerlo good, & rather more

ASN’s Brian Sciaretta chimes in along with his first Monday evaluation of the weekend for Individuals overseas. 

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Brian Sciaretta

Posted
August 12, 2024
3:00 PM

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THE 2024/25 season in Europe kicked off in a number of totally different leagues this weekend. Whereas the standard “big five” are but to get underway, a lot of the different leagues have begun. This previous weekend, we noticed the Championship and the Eredivisie have their first slate of video games. They be a part of international locations comparable to Belgium, the two.Bundesliga, Scotland, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, and Croatia which already began earlier this month.

All of this implies now we have our first Individuals overseas Monday morning column of the 2024/25 season. Dozens of American gamers had been concerned in aggressive video games and amongst this group, there have been some standout performers and a few necessary tales.

Brenden Aaronson scored a late equalizer for Leeds United in a 3-3 draw with Portsmouth, after which minutes later had an opportunity to win it however missed. Naturally, the followers have been viewing the matter as half-empty.

However Aaronson wasn’t the one participant who had an necessary weekend. Aidan Morris made his debut for Middlesbrough. Head coach Joe Enoch and Jahn Regensburg gained their first sport of the two.Bundesliga season. Bryan Reynolds helped Westerlo proceed an ideal begin with 9 factors from three video games. Malik Tillman scored, and Richard Ledezma earned a really uncommon begin as PSV cruised in its Eredivisie opener. Rokas Pukstas had a pleasant play constructing as much as Hajduk Break up’s lone objective. Korede Osudina had a giant day within the Dutch 2nd tier for Dordrecht.

However one of many coolest tales was Jonathan Amon scoring his first objective since October 19, 2020 towards his former membership, Nordsjaelland. In spite of everything he has been by way of, that was nice for him to do.

We are going to hold the identical format as earlier years the place we speak concerning the high tales earlier than breaking down the remaining by league.

Aaronson luggage late equalizer

Leeds United is hoping to contend for promotion this season, however a 3-3 draw with newly-promoted Portsmouth at house will not be a great outcome. The sport marked Brenden Aaronson’s return to Leeds United after spending a season on mortgage at Union Berlin.

Aaronson, 23, bought engaged earlier within the week and was on the bench to start the sport however he entered within the 72nd minute with the rating 2-2. Portsmouth ended up taking the lead within the second minute of stoppage time through penalty.

Then within the fifth minute of stoppage time, Aaronson equalized with a pleasant little bit of footwork adopted by a low shot from 14 yards out. Then a minute later, he might have gained it however missed an open shot from 12 yards out simply extensive.

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Leeds supervisor Daniel Farke spoke about Aaronson after the sport.

“Only a hug from me [for Aaronson], no phrases are wanted. He’s essentially the most dissatisfied lad within the dressing room. Again from his mortgage and desires to show his price — he might have been the hero. Usually a participant of his high quality scores this and everybody sings his title. Takes time to win the group again and be trusted.”

The explanation Leeds didn’t win this sport are defensive errors, not due to Aaronson. Enjoying at house, Leeds conceded three targets to a newly promoted staff. However the numbers had been lopsided. Leeds had 10 photographs heading in the right direction whereas Portsmouth had 4. Leeds had 12 corners, Portsmouth had 0. Leeds had 64% possession to 36% for Portsmouth. Leeds accomplished over twice the quantity passes that Portsmouth did.

In the meantime, Aaronson nonetheless outperformed his xG on this sport. Positive, he did the laborious work for his objective and missed the simpler shot. However Aaronson got here throughout from this sport as a part of the answer, not a part of the issue.

Yank trio helps PSV win opener

It’s not shocking to see three Individuals contributing to a PSV win. That was the case in 2023/24. However within the 2024/25 opener, it was a trio of American gamers however solely this time there was a change to that trio.

Sergino Dest is clearly out till 2025 along with his ACL damage, and with the continued saga with PSV fullback Jordan Teze, Richard Ledezma was given the nod by head coach Peter Bosz. Ledezma made only one look in 2023/24 after returning in January from his mortgage to NYCFC.

Ledezma went 70 minutes and joined Malik Tillman within the beginning lineup, as Tillman went on to attain a objective and play the whole 90 minutes. Ricardo Pepi performed the ultimate 20 minutes.

Ultimately, PSV defeated a really poor RKC Waalwijk staff that’s anticipated to be in a relegation battle this 12 months.

Tillman’s objective within the thirty seventh minute gave PSV a 3-0 lead. It was a formidable shot from distance however one the place he was not defended effectively and had loads of area. Tillman made Waalwijk pay for free marking.

After the sport, Bosz commented positively on all three of the American gamers.

On Ledezma: “That he was good on the ball, we already knew, but whether he would stand up defensively was the question. But he did very well. He is actually a ten, of course, but he can also play at six. Because of his football intelligence, he can hold his own everywhere.”

On Tillman:  “When you see him today chasing down to the goalkeeper, that’s great. He developed a lot last year, because he found it difficult to be consistent. That was mainly because of the physical strain of three games a week. He has made strides and is on his way to becoming a great football player.”

On Pepi: “Pepi did not rating, however crammed in splendidly. Lozano did the identical and even scored twice. That was good to see.”

There’s a lot to interrupt down. Tillman is progressing at PSV and is a rising in significance to them.

For Pepi, the query stays when the membership will belief him with significant minutes versus mopping up lopsided video games after Luuk de Jong comes out. Clearly, de Jong is a superb participant, however when does Pepi share the necessary minutes at striker. Does the membership see him as an eventual substitute for the 34-year- de Jong?

For Ledezma, the state of affairs is extra difficult. It was clearly superb for him to get a begin, even when it was out of place at proper again. The issue for Ledezma’s future on the membership is that he’s costly. The minimal wage for a non-EU participant within the Eredivisie is €500,048 in 2024. PSV can afford that however might be not going to pay that quantity for a seldom used bench participant. Ledezma goes to wish to play extra to justify being on the membership as he’s within the closing 12 months of his contract.

Ledezma made this massive defensive play which earned a number of reward.

Richy ????#PSVRKC pic.twitter.com/0mxvRb0xmz

— PSV (@PSV) August 12, 2024

Perhaps PSV extends him with a brand new deal, however most certainly Ledezma is placing himself within the store window for a future elsewhere.

As for PSV, they’ve a straightforward begin to the Eredivisie season with Heracles, Almere Metropolis, Go Forward Eagles, NEC, and Fortuna Sittard all on deck. None of them are historically sturdy within the Eredivisie and solely NEC completed inside the highest 10 final season.

Morris makes Championship debut

Aidan Morris, 22, made his Championship debut over the weekend and was the highest story amongst Individuals within the English 2nd tier’s opening weekend. The previous Columbus Crew homegrown went 90 minutes in central midfield in a 1-0 win over Swansea Metropolis. Other than just a few errors, the outing was typically stable for Morris who contributed on each side of the ball and was seen as a pleasant win the place Swansea didn’t have a shot on the objective.

“We are pleased with him – not surprised. He settled in great. It’s why we brought him in.” Boro manager Michael Carrick said. “It’s just one game, not to get carried away. But it’s a good start.”

Good first shift for Aidan Morris in his membership debut for Boro. – The #Crew96 homegrown went a full 90, 1-0 win over Swansea. – He did not stand out an excessive amount of, however was typically stable and performed a task within the season-opening win. Actually a efficiency that can hold him within the XI pic.twitter.com/VgvsSe4fxF

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) August 10, 2024

Getting off to a stable begin is clearly enormous when making a transfer to a brand new staff, in a brand new league, in a brand new nation. Morris nonetheless has a methods to go earlier than he’s a key participant for Boro, however getting the primary sport out of the way in which on a constructive word is necessary.

It is necessary for MLS gamers {that a} participant like Morris succeeds. He left the league as a really completed participant and his sale was not promoting a youth prospect however extra promoting a completed product. It’s wholesome to see the very best homegrowns who had been within the league for awhile and developed into successful gamers then start so as to add worth to golf equipment the place they’re offered.

Boro is a membership hoping to be a promotion race. If Morris can contribute to that, that might be enormous.

Reynolds helps good Westerlo

Westerlo will not be a giant staff in Belgium, however the membership is off to a terrific begin in 2024/25. On Saturday, Westerlo defeated Union SG 4-3 to maneuver to an ideal 9 factors from three video games. That places them atop the First Division desk.

Bryan Reynolds went the space at proper again for Westerlo and scored within the 54th minute to provide Westerlo a 4-1 lead.

Reynolds was sturdy on this sport each offensively and defensively. He gained 7/9 of his floor duels and was 2/2 along with his aerials. He was 4/5 on his tackles and had 14 passes into the ultimate third.

Griffin Yow additionally made his season debut for Westerlo after rejoining the staff from the Olympics. It was principally a quiet efficiency from Yow, which is to be anticipated after he missed a month.

The large query proper now for Westerlo is whether or not they recalibrate their expectations for the season after a powerful begin. The membership was seeking to promote Reynolds and perhaps Yow. But when they consider they’ll contend for a spot in Europe for the primary time, perhaps they loosen the purse strings and hold the staff collectively to make a push for it.

That might be a giant query within the weeks forward.

Amon’s first objective in 4 years

Jonathan Amon hasn’t scored since almost a 12 months earlier than the Tokyo Olympics. The gifted winger noticed his profession almost sunk as a result of repeated knee accidents and surgical procedures. However final season he returned, enjoying principally as a sub with Lyngby till a collection of begins on the finish of the season. Ultimately, Lyngby narrowly averted relegation.

Amon, 25, continues to start out for Lyngby and on Sunday he earned the beginning for Lyngby towards his first membership, Nordsjaelland – the place he developed from the academy degree. Then within the thirty fourth minute, he scored his first skilled objective since October 19, 2020 with a pleasant play from the left wing the place he reduce inside.

Jonathan Amon equalizes

Nordsjælland 1-1 Lyngbyhttps://t.co/y0s4ijRdCF

— PushGoals (@PushGoals) August 11, 2024

Regardless of the large accomplishments, Amon didn’t rejoice the objective because it got here towards Nordsjaelland. However nonetheless, it was a terrific reward for his laborious work to battle by way of the adversity.

How far Amon can go this season and what steps he can soak up his profession stay to be seen. Can he return to being an explosive winger? We don’t know. However he’s progressing and he’s enjoying. That’s all good.

Additionally on this sport, Milan Iloski subbed on for Nordsjaelland within the 87th minute for his first aggressive look with the Danish membership.

???????????????????? ????????????

Amerikanske Milan Iloski fik i gårsdagens kamp mod Lyngby BK sin officielle debut i 3F Superligaen for FC Nordsjælland ??????

Congratulations, Milan Iloski ????????????#sldk pic.twitter.com/wLBYVte04K

— FC Nordsjælland ???? (@FCNordsjaelland) August 12, 2024

Utrecht downs PEC Zwolle

Within the Eredivisie opener, Utrecht defeated PEC Zwolle 1-0 in a sport the place two Individuals performed however 4 had been on the matchday roster.

Paxten Aaronson made his membership debut and was sturdy within the win. Regardless of lacking most of preseason with the U.S. Olympic staff, Aaronson went the total 90 and had 53 touches and was 9/14 in floor duels. He additionally had a scoring likelihood simply earlier than halftime. General, Aaronson was a harmful participant and appears to be becoming in effectively.

Taylor Sales space additionally returned from the Olympics and got here into the sport within the 67th with the rating 1-0 however was off along with his passing, finishing simply 2/11 makes an attempt. Nonetheless he was sturdy defensively as Utrecht was pinned again defensively late, which left Sales space with little room to function.

The match, performed behind closed doorways, featured this catastrophe of a objective. 

Nummer ?? van 2024/2025! pic.twitter.com/xZwsdbY1YO

— FC Utrecht (@fcutrecht) August 12, 2024

There have been two different Individuals on this sport who went unused. Rickson van Hess was unused for Utrecht and former Philadelphia Union homegrown Anthony Fontana for PEC Zwolle.

However Aaronson and Sales space are two gamers who can possible used a powerful season following the Olympics to make a push to make the total USMNT, no matter who the coach is.

Cannon sued by Boavista

Reggie Cannon has a number of issues proper now. After unilaterally cancelling his contract with Boavisata (citing unpaid wages) to signal for Queens Park Rangers, Boavisata took Cannon to courtroom. On Friday, FIFA introduced a call in favor of Boavista that made Cannon liable to his former membership within the quantity of just below €1.3 million. Sure, the courtroom discovered that there have been some unpaid wages, however they had been for a lot lower than Cannon claimed – round €50,000. The ruling left Cannon in poor monetary form and it punished Cannon severely for his contract termination.

The problem for Cannon now’s whether or not QPR will assist with the duty. Was there an settlement between Cannon and QPR over the duties if Boavista gained? Additionally, how will this have an effect on Cannon mentally transferring ahead? Lastly, is he even within the plans with QPR after this? His function on the membership pale within the closing months of 2023/24 and he was not a part of the squad this weekend in a loss at house to West Brom.Curiosity in McKenzie

Mark McKenzie was at all times more likely to transfer this summer season provided that he reportedly refused to signal an extension with Genk and he’s coming into into the ultimate 12 months of his contract. Genk doesn’t wish to lose him on a free switch this winter, they usually’re in search of one thing with a sale now. This previous weekend we noticed McKenzie linked with three Bundesliga golf equipment – Stuttgart, Wolfsburg, and Mainz. Mainz and Wolfsburg make extra sense provided that Stuttgart signed three central defenders this summer season. 

???????? Mark McKenzie va quitter le #KRCGenk, c’est acquis. À l’heure actuelle, le #VfLWolfsburg (qui attend la vente de Maxence Lacroix) & le #VfbStuttgart tiennent la corde et ont la faveur du joueur. #JPL ? Wait&See. #mercato #Téfécé https://t.co/iSaM14eEki pic.twitter.com/lXr5oI2FLb

— Sacha Tavolieri (@sachatavolieri) August 12, 2024

Like many American gamers who’re attempting to make a transfer into the “Big Five” European leagues for the primary time, it’s nearly going to a spot the place you may play. If McKenzie can play at Mainz or Wolfsburg, both could be advantageous. Wolfsburg is an even bigger membership, however solely completed two factors forward of Mainz final season. Wolfsburg looks like a corporation extra unsettled for the time being. However that can also open the door for McKenzie. 

Championship: powerful weekend for Yanks

Other than Brenden Aaronson’s objective and the profitable debut from Aidan Morris, it was a gap weekend for Yanks to neglect within the Championship.

Lynden Gooch could possibly be excused as he went the space for Stoke Metropolis in a pleasant 1-0 over Coventry. Gooch had some good moments, and it’s good to see him enjoying on the wing once more versus proper again.

However Haji Wright got here into the sport within the 62nd minute for Coventry and was very quiet and ineffective, regardless of coming off a terrific season. The USMNT attacker missed a giant chunk of the preseason as a result of Copa America.

Josh Sargent was additionally held in test as he was unable to get something going for Norwich Metropolis in a dismal 2-0 loss towards newly promoted Oxford United. Sargent was distinctive final season after getting back from his ankle damage in December. However he was enjoying harm, and it continued to have an effect on him within the promotional playoffs after which on the Copa America. It begs the query if Sargent is now at 100%? The approaching weeks are going to inform us quite a bit about Sargent and what to anticipate within the coming season.

Ethan Horvath made two saves for Cardiff Metropolis in a 2-0 loss at house to Sunderland. The targets he conceded would have required excellent saves. He was the least of their issues. However a loss at house to open the marketing campaign will not be good.

Sheffield United posted a 2-0 win on the highway over Preston North Finish however Auston Trusty went as an unused substitute within the win – which isn’t good for him after enjoying a lot final season within the Premier League. He was not the rationale the membership struggled defensively within the high flight, however he was a part of it. But when he desires to creep into the nationwide staff dialogue, he must play.

In the meantime, Duane Holmes was unused for Preston North Finish. Like with Trusty, it’s nonetheless early and the Championship season could be very lengthy. We are going to see the way it goes. It should takes us a month to 6 weeks to see the place gamers actually stand.

2.Bundesliga: Enochs wins first sport

Within the 2.Bundesliga, American head coach Joe Enochs led Jahn Regensburg to its first win of the season (within the second sport) with a 1-0 win over Ulm. Many are predicting newly-promoted Jahn Regensburg to be in a relegation battle this season. However Enochs would do very effectively to win these early season video games and put that concern to relaxation.

Damion Downs earned the began and performed 65 minutes for FC Cologne in a 2-2 draw with Elversberg. He at all times has just a few moments of being harmful however Downs must be taught to be extra constantly harmful and never drift out of video games for lengthy stretches. He left the sport with Cologne trailing 2-1. Cologne haven’t performed effectively to start out the season.

Johan Gomez performed all 90 minutes of Eintracht Braunschweig’s 3-1 loss to Maof a 3-1 loss to Magdeburg on Saturday. Gomez isn’t standing out however Braunschweig is poor and has conceded eight targets in two losses to start out the season.

Santi Castaneda, 19, made his second straight begin for Paderborn on Saturday and went 73 minutes in a 3-1 win over Darmstadt. It’s been a terrific begin to the season for Paderborn with six factors from two video games (towards two good squds in Darmstadt and Hertha). Castaneda, a 2004-born winger, has gone comparatively unnoticed to now being off to a powerful begin within the 2.Bundesliga.  

Belgium: Good begin for Fossey

Other than the Westerlo good begin, a number of Individuals proceed to play in Belgium.

Marlon Fossey went the space for Normal Liege in a 0-0 draw with Mechelen on Friday. Fossey will flip 26 this month and continues his upward trajectory in Belgium after coping with knee accidents for years at Fulham. That is his third season with Normal. His first was good, his second was a step backward however nonetheless okay. His third season is off to a powerful begin, and he’s actually efficient for Normal getting ahead in a right-wingback formation. He simply makes use of his athleticism to get ahead shortly, transfer previous defenders, and create hazard. Whereas no targets had been scored towards Mechelen, Fossey continued to be harmful for a Normal staff that has 5 factors from three video games.

Kahveh Zahiroleslam and St. Truiden are merely in over their heads this season within the First Division. Already, they appear sure to be relegated. On Saturday it was a 6-1 loss to Antwerp and Zahiroleslam went the space. It’s laborious to say something good a few staff that has misplaced all three of its video games and have a -11 objective differential.

Mark McKenzie is closely linked with a transfer to the Bundesliga and he solely performed mop-up minutes for Genk in a 3-2 win over Membership Brugge.

Elsewhere: Jasson scores, CCV wins

Within the Austrian Bundesliga, George Bello went 89 minutes for LASK in a 2-1 loss at house to SCR Altach. After a MOTM efficiency in LASK’s opening weekend,  Bello wasn’t as efficient on this one.

Within the Dutch 2nd tier Eerste Divisie, Korede Osudina had a primary half brace for Dordrecht in a 201 away win over Emmen. Osudina was later eliminated at halftime. Fellow American and Dordrecht left again John Hilton went 90 minutes and assisted on Osudina’s second objective.

Within the Polish Ekstraklasa, Danny Trejo performed the final 31 minutes for Korona Kielce in a 2-0 loss at house to Cracovia. Ian Hoffman made his membership debut when he got here on within the closing minutes for Lech Poznan in a 0-0 away draw with Rakow Czestochowa.

In Croatia’s HNL, Rokas Pukstas went the space for Hajduk Break up in a 1-1 draw Lokomotiva Zagreb. Pukstas, 19, performed a task in within the buildup to Hajduk’s solely objective however sadly for Hajduk, they conceded an equalizer on the ultimate kick of the sport.

Aleksandar Trajkovski makes it 1-0 towards Lokomotiva after an unselfish play from Marko Livaja.

Livaja with a beautiful timed run, Trajkovski with a straightforward end and that’s his first objective of the season, scoring the place he left off, towards Lokomotiva. ????pic.twitter.com/3O4dqEoQfK

— ???????? (@TheCroatianLad) August 11, 2024

Within the Danish Superliga, Andres Jasson, 22, had an excellent outing for Aalborg BK when he scored within the thirty ninth minute of a 3-2 away win over Viborg. It was the previous U.S. U-17 World Cup winger’s first objective for Aab since becoming a member of the membership over the summer season from NYCFC. AaB now has six factors from 4 video games. He’s been stable within the early a part of the Danish.

Staying in Denmark, Jose Gallegos performed the ultimate 13 minutes for SonderjyskE in a 2-0 loss at house to Copenhagen. They trailed 0-1 when he got here on. SonderjyskE have only one level from 4 video games.

Christian Cappis was not within the squad for Brondby in a 1-0 loss to AGF Aarhus.

In Scotland, Celtic is ideal by way of two video games to start out the season. Cameron Carter-Vickers began and performed all 90 minutes on Saturday within the 2-0 win over Hibernian.

Within the Swiss Tremendous League, Konrad de la Fuente performed the final 28 minutes for Lausanne in a 2-0 loss to leaders Zurich. The sport was surprisingly aggressive till Zurich’s second objective within the closing minutes.

Within the Coppa Italia, Kristoffer Lund went the space in a 1-0 win over a Parma staff that was promoted to Serie A final season. Lund performed left wingback in a five-back.