ASN: Ream, Robinson, Pepi, & Steffen stand out in robust weekend for Yanks in Europe

ASN’s Brian Sciaretta opens up his People overseas pocket book and provides an overview as to the great and the dangerous for People overseas this previous weekend – in what has been an total robust begin to 2023. 

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
February 20, 2023
5:45 PM

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HAPPY PRESIDENT’S DAY weekend and we hope that each one of you could have the break day and are having fun with the time. As for soccer, it’s a busy time in the USA however for People overseas this previous weekend wasn’t all that nice.

Among the many prime gamers, there have been exceptions – right here’s taking a look at you Fulham’s left aspect of the protection, Zack Steffen, Bryan Reynolds, and some others as nicely – but it surely was a really dangerous set of days.

The place can we even begin? Right here’s the Cliff Notes model.

USMNT pool gamers (capped w/in 2.5 years) now in relegation zones1) Adams2) McKennie3) B. Aaronson4) Musah5) Palmer-Brown6) Pepi

Near relegation1) Brooks2) Busio3) Tessmann4) Bello (relegation playoff)

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) February 20, 2023

Christian Pulisic continues to be out. The Leeds United trio of Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, and Brenden Aaronson had a horrible loss that places the membership in severe hazard of relegation. Gio Reyna was unused in Dortmund’s win. Mark McKenzie and Belgian-leading Genk are abruptly in just a little droop after a tricky draw. Chris Richards solely noticed a handful of minutes for Palace. Erik Palmer-Brown solely performed the primary half for a Troyes workforce sinking in direction of relegation. Tim Weah fatigued late and was uncovered by PSG in Lille’s 4-3 loss.  Josh Sargent and Norwich are slipping from the promotion battle after a lackluster 0-0 draw and now Sargent suffered an ankle harm and can miss the membership’s subsequent two video games. Ethan Horvath and Luton City misplaced. Jordan Pefok and Union Berlin squandered a golden alternative to maneuver atop the Bundesliga desk. The identical could possibly be mentioned for Djordje Mihailovic and AZ Alkmaar. Joe Scally was unused in a large M’Gladbach win. Sergino Dest was unused for AC Milan. Malik Tillman was injured for Rangers. Pellegrino Matarazzo and John Brooks misplaced a heartbreaker as Hoffenheim is in hassle. Within the 2.Bundesliga, George Bello and Julian Inexperienced didn’t get off the bench. Terrence Boyd and Kaiserslautern have been held scoreless in a loss that significantly hurts their promotional marketing campaign.

However let’s get into the specifics – some good however largely dangerous.

Leeds United is in hassle

On Saturday, Leeds United traveled to face Everton in what was a basic relegation “six-pointer.” With Leeds crumbling, this was a sport they needed to win to indicate life that they’re severe about staying up. As a substitute, Everton got here away with a 1-0 win on Seamus Coleman’s sixty fourth minute objective.

Tyler Adams was most likely the most effective Leeds United participant on the day, and he went 90 minutes however there may be solely a lot he can do. Weston McKennie began and performed 78 minutes in a good however unspectacular efficiency. Brenden Aaronson performed 29 minutes and was okay however not a game-changer.

It’s an unsightly scenario and it has left Leeds United now in second to final place and needing wins to climb out. The issue is that Bournemouth and Everton are taking part in higher and this has left Southampton, Leeds, and West Ham (the present three within the relegation zone) in poor form.

Leeds has a lot deeper issues than the three American gamers. The workforce can’t rating because it has been shutout in 4 of its final 5 Premier League video games. It’s winless in its final 10 league video games. There simply isn’t almost sufficient expertise within the entrance line. Did the workforce overpay on the People? Perhaps – though McKennie is there solely on mortgage. However it didn’t spend almost sufficient in key areas.

If Leeds goes down, McKennie will return to Juventus and presumably make one other transfer. Adams will most likely get offered. Aaronson may stay within the Championship. On Monday, he performed for Leeds United’s U-21 workforce within the Premier League 2.

Fulham publish an enormous win
 

One of many brilliant spots this weekend was Fulham’s 1-0 away win over Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday. Each Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson have been first-rate over 90 minute performances and Fulham completed the weekend sixth within the Premier League. It’s been a outstanding season and the Cottagers have an actual probability of ending in line for spot in Europe. Most figured Fulham have been going to be relegation fodder.

Robinson, 25, is taking part in like he’s going to get severe affords this summer time. He has been a way-above-average Premier League left again this season. Two years in the past in his first Premier League season, Robinson confirmed glimpses in an unsuccessful relegation battle. This yr, he’s displaying he’s excess of an athlete with an important engine. His runs getting ahead are efficient, his crosses are bettering however nonetheless okay, and his protection is first fee. He’s profitable his duels and isn’t getting overwhelmed.

As for Ream, it’s been probably the greatest feel-good tales for American soccer in a very long time. He used to have a fame as a wonderful Championship defender however not efficient at a better stage. This season within the Premier League, he’s much more efficient than he’s within the Championship. He’s not far off from the Premier League workforce of the season.

How lengthy will Ream have the ability to maintain it going? Nobody is aware of. Perhaps he can stay with the nationwide workforce by way of the Copa America subsequent yr? It’s actually a chance.

Hajduk Break up – America

Whereas Leeds United has three American gamers, Hajduk Spit is now one of many few groups (together with Fulham) who performs two American gamers.

Final weekend, U.S. U-20 midfielder Rokas Pukstas scored two targets for Hajduk Break up in a 4-1 win over Varazdin. He appears to be like as if he’ll begin a lot of the video games for the rest of the season and he began on Sunday in opposition to HNK Gorica.

But in addition beginning in opposition to Gorica is Miami native Augustin Anello who just lately joined Hajduk Break up on mortgage from Lommel in Belgium’s second tier. The 20 year-old left winger impressed at Lommel and earned the mortgage with an possibility to purchase.

Hajduk Break up begins not one however 2 People at this time HNK Gorica. – U.S U-20 midfielder Rokas Pukstas begins after scoring twice final game- Miami native Augustine Anello, 20, begins at left wing after just lately becoming a member of on mortgage from Lommel (Belgium 2nd tier) pic.twitter.com/jgFlSfYbzY

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) February 19, 2023

On this sport, Anello performed 64 minutes and Pukstas performed 90 minutes for Hajduk Break up in a 2-1 win. Anello left the sport with the rating 1-1. Pukstas performed nicely in his efficiency and was behind organising a number of alternatives and profitable duels.

However total, a slim win over last-place Gorica isn’t nice for Hajduk, which is in second place and is one among two highly effective golf equipment in Croatia. Subsequent weekend might be an enormous alternative for each gamers and Hajduk after they go to leaders Dinamo Zagreb. It’s a conflict between the nation’s two greatest groups.

Pukstas is rapidly rising as a promising 18 yr previous starter for Hajduk and it is going to be attention-grabbing to see if he’s launched for the U-20 World Cup which begins on Might twentieth and the NHL season runs by way of June 3. He additionally ought to then be within the combine for the U.S. U-23 Olympic workforce later within the yr.

Anello, 20, has by no means performed with U.S. youth groups however that would change if he performs with the Hajduk the remainder of this season and performs nicely. He’s eligible for the U.S. U-23 workforce.

Pepi scores for Groningen

However Pepi now has eight targets in 1445 minutes within the Eredivisie and that’s good – particularly when a number of of his opponents are simply on one other stage. When it comes to improvement, it is a good yr for Pepi. He’s studying to do extra with much less. This was his objective from the weekend.

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) February 18, 2023

Pepi virtually absolutely received’t be again with Groningen subsequent yr. His mortgage from Augsburg expires in June they usually may need to give him one other look as they’re midtable within the Bundesliga. Even when not, he’s doing greater than sufficient for a mortgage to a greater workforce subsequent season.

Internationally, Pepi could have choices. This summer time, he needs to be with the U.S. workforce for one of many two tournaments – both the Nation’s League or the Gold Cup. He most likely received’t be with the U.S. U-20 World Cup workforce. After that, U.S. Soccer could have a choice whether or not to have him give attention to the Olympics for 2024 or the Copa America. It would additionally come right down to how different gamers in his place are performing.

Headley earns MOTM
 

An enormous congratulations to Jaheim Headley, 21, the younger left again from Huddersfield. Making simply his second begin for the membership, Headley was huge for a Huddersfield in a 2-1 win over Auston Trusty and Birmingham Metropolis (as a observe, Duane Holmes stays out injured for Huddersfield).

Headley notched a objective and an help within the win which pushed Huddersfield to inside two factors of security after sitting in final place.

— Huddersfield City (@htafc) February 20, 2023

The objective was the results of a improbable run ahead up the left flank and a superb end to the far publish.

Headley was born in London and developed at Millwall’s academy earlier than shifting to Huddersfield’s academy. By his mother and father, he’s eligible for England, the USA, and Jamaica. Jamaica looks as if a sensible contender for his companies but when he continues to play nicely maybe he can push John Tolkin, Caleb Wiley, and Jonathan Gomez for a left again spot on the Olympic workforce.

That is one method to win a sport…????#htafc pic.twitter.com/bgiuisxa8x

— Huddersfield City (@htafc) February 19, 2023

It’s wonderful that after being skinny at left again for generations, American soccer is producing extra younger left backs than proper backs as of late.

Steffen & Boro’s huge win
 

One of many greatest People overseas winners from the weekend was Zack Steffen on Saturday which defeated QPR 3-1 at residence. This comes on the heels of their huge 3-1 win on the street over second place Sheffield United. On prime of this, Millwall defeated Sheffield United and all the things is breaking for Boro.

It was as soon as thought that Burnley and Sheffield United have been going to run away with the 2 automated promotion spots. However third-place Middlesbrough has now received 5 in a row and 9 of ten with different outcomes going their approach.

— Zack Steffen (@zacksteffen_) February 18, 2023

On the finish of this weekend, Steffen and Boro at the moment are in third place, seven factors forward of fourth place Luton City and is now solely 4 factors behind Sheffield United (after being 10 factors behind every week in the past).

Steffen needed to make only one save in opposition to QPR however made 9 saves in opposition to Sheffield United. He has clearly set himself up for an enormous spring and a real promotional race. If profitable, the almost definitely result’s that Boro finds a approach to purchase him from Manchester Metropolis off his mortgage and he begins within the Premier League. He had a tough begin to the season however he’s now in nice form.

Musah and Valencia’s pricey defeat
 

The percentages that Valencia are relegated out of La Liga are rising each week. This workforce is caught within the mud and is taking part in approach under its expertise stage. On Monday, the workforce’s 1-0 loss to Getafe was an important instance. Taking part in in opposition to one other relegation battling workforce, Valencia had the possibilities and the possession to win this sport. They couldn’t capitalize, however Getafe may.

Musah hasn’t been nice this season. He has no targets and two assists on the yr. He’s stifled by the workforce’s system and adverse setting, however he’s additionally a part of the issue too. He’s not getting on the ball sufficient or creating a lot of something.

Within the loss to Getafe, Musah performed 69 minutes and accomplished simply 15 passes over 25 touches. He had just one move into the ultimate third with no pictures. That’s merely not sufficient for what is meant to be a La Liga workforce with a ground of midtable. Sure, a part of it’s on the membership however a part of it’s on him.

If Valencia goes down, Musah will get offered but when his numbers don’t enhance it is going to elevate the query over his market worth. You possibly can see his expertise, however golf equipment may also need to pay prime greenback in the event that they see output too.

Yanks in England

Within the Premier League, Chris Richards performed the ultimate 9 minutes of Crystal Palace’s 1-1 draw at Brentford on Saturday. He was on the sphere for Brentford’s late equalizer though he was not concerned or at fault. Additionally, Matt Turner watched from the bench as Arsenal defeated Aston Villa 4-2 away.

Within the Championship, Josh Sargent began up prime within the absence of the injured Teemu Pukki however he couldn’t assist Norwich rating in a really disappointing 0-0 draw with last-place Wigan. Norwich stays in ninth place and haven’t improved a lot below David Wagner.

After the sport, it was revealed Sargent suffered an ankle harm and would miss the subsequent two video games. 

???? Harm replace???? Birmingham preview

Get the newest from David Wagner’s pre-match press convention ??#NCFC

— Norwich Metropolis FC (@NorwichCityFC) February 20, 2023

Fourth place Luton City dropped a 1-0 determination at residence to leaders Burnley. Ethan Horvath made one save within the loss.  

On Monday, Daryl Dike performed the ultimate 28 minutes for West Brom in a 3-2 loss away to Watford. Dike had simply 4 accomplished passes, 14 touches, and no pictures within the loss.

Yanks in France

Tim Weah performed 90 minutes at left again in a troublesome 4-3 loss to leaders Paris St. Germain. Taking part in out of place attributable to harm, Weah has been trying first rate at left again. On this sport, he was robust for about 80 minutes however then noticeably fatigued. Lille had a stunning 3-2 lead till Kylian Mbappe equalized within the 87th and Lionel Messi received it with a free kick in stoppage time. Weah struggled in protection over the past 10 minutes. Even with the loss, Lille remained in sixth place.

— LOSC (@LOSC_EN) February 19, 2023

Weah’s use at Lille hasn’t been optimum as he’s been used at quite a lot of positions to cowl for accidents. He’s a participant who may search an exit in the summertime?

Erik Palmer-Brown began for Troyes at residence to Montpellier however was pulled at halftime with the rating 0-0. He was not on the sphere for Montpellier’s objective in a 1-0 win. With the loss, Troyes fell into seventeenth place and is within the relegation zone of Ligue 1. Troyes has now misplaced 4 in a row and has only one level from eight video games.

Yanks in Germany

Within the Bundesliga, Gio Reyna once more didn’t get off the bench for Borussia Dortmund in its 4-1 win over Hertha BSC on Sunday. It was his second straight sport remaining on the bench. Whereas he has performed nicely when given minutes, is time on the sphere stays very uneven.

The identical could possibly be mentioned for Reyna’s pal Joe Scally who didn’t get off the bench for Borussia Monchengladbach’s huge 3-2 upset win over Bayern Munich. Scally too has not had the most effective of runs for the reason that league resumed play in January however this was his first spell on the bench. Given the end result, he might need to attend for extra minutes.

Bayern’s loss opened an enormous door for Union Berlin on Sunday. All they wanted to do was defeat last-place Schalke and they’d transfer atop the Bundesliga desk. However it was a missed alternative because the rating completed 0-0. Jordan Pefok had a modest efficiency as he performed the ultimate 24 minutes, had 13 touches, one shot, and was 5/8 passing.

???? Der Spielbericht zur umkämpften Partie ist da! #FCUS04#fcunion

— 1. FC Union Berlin (@fcunion) February 19, 2023

On Friday, Pellegrino Matarazzo had his second sport for Hoffenheim in cost and he tried to reverse the workforce’s skid away at Augsburg. John Brooks performed 90 minutes for Hoffenheim in what was a brutal 1-0 loss the place the profitable objective was conceded off a late nook. Brooks was first rate however unspectacular on this sport. He wasn’t at fault for the objective however the loss solely has Hoffenheim within the secure positions solely on objective differential.

Elsewhere within the Bundesliga, Caden Clark made RB Leipzig’s bench for the primary time however didn’t play in a 3-0 win over Wolfsburg. His U.S. U-20 teammate Kevin Paredes missed the sport for Wolfsburg attributable to sickness. Timothy Chandler was an unused sub for Eintracht Frankfurt in a 2-0 win over Bremen. U.S. U-20 attacker Paxten Aaronson, nevertheless, scored for Frankfurt’s reserve workforce.

Within the Bundesliga at this time Wolfsburg hosts RB Leipzig- Kevin Paredes is unwell and never within the squad (apparently there’s a bug spreading inside the workforce and Paredes is not the one one out)- Caden Clark makes the bench for Leipzig for the primary time. Aiming for his Bundesliga debut pic.twitter.com/RDD8MJcmyS

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) February 18, 2023

Within the 2.Bundesliga, Julian Inexperienced stayed on the bench for Greuther Furth in a 2-1 win over Fortuna Dusseldorf. George Bello did the identical for Arminia Bielefeld in a 2-1 loss to Hamburg which despatched Bello & Co. again into the relegation zone.

Paderborn despatched Kaiserslautern to its second straight loss with a 1-0 victory. Former U.S. nationwide workforce ahead Terrence Boyd, who turned 32 earlier than the sport, was held scoreless over his 84 minutes within the loss. Ryan Malone performed 90 minutes in central protection for Hansa Rostock in a 1-0 loss at residence to leaders Darmstadt.

The perfect American participant within the 2.Bundesliga this weekend was Lennard Maloney who performed 90 minutes for Heidenheim in a 5-0 pounding of 10-man Nurnberg. Heidenheim remained in third place and is within the mixture of a promotional hunt.

How about Fabian Hurzeler? The 29-year-old head coach of St. Pauli was born in Houston (and performed for the U.S. U-20 workforce) oversaw his workforce defeat Magdeburg 2-1 on the street. With that win, St. Pauli now has 12 factors from 4 video games below Hurzeler. It’s been a superb begin to his head teaching profession.

Houston-born Fabian Hurzeler took over as St. Pauli’s supervisor in the course of the 2.Bundesliga winter break- on the time, it was 1 level out of the relegation zone- St. Paul defeated Magdeburg 2-1 today- St. Pauli now has an ideal 12 factors in 4 video games below Hurzeler- He’s solely 29 https://t.co/6BzJDr14E9

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) February 18, 2023

Yanks in Spain

Luca de la Torre performed nicely in his 68 minutes for Celta Vigo however left together with his workforce trailing Actual Sociedad 1-0. He was not on the sphere for his workforce’s late equalizer in a 1-1 draw. However de la Torre continued his robust kind by way of passing, beating defenders with the dribble, and serving to in possession.

U.S. U-20 eligible Luca Koleosho was an unused substitute for Espanyol in a 1-0 win away at last-place Elche. Koleosho has been referred to as up by Canada however has by no means performed for them. He’s additionally eligible for Italy. He can be a pleasant improve for the U.S. U-20 workforce within the assault.

Yanks within the Netherlands

In a matchup between the highest two groups within the Eredivisie, Feyenoord defeated AZ Alkmaar 2-1 to stay in first. Former Chicago Fireplace homegrown Djordje Mihailovic returned from harm and performed the ultimate six minutes for AZ within the loss. He was on the sphere for Feyenoord’s late winner however solely had 5 touches.

Utrecht performed PSV to a 2-2 draw on Sunday. Taylor Sales space went 90 minutes for Utrecht and was 24/32 passing with two pictures. Total, it was one other robust outing for the Utah native. Richard Ledezma was an unused sub for PSV as rumors of a mortgage to NYCFC loom.

Yanks in Portugal

Vizela performed Gil Vicente to a 1-1 away draw on Saturday. Alex Mendez performed the ultimate 28 minutes for Vizela and was quiet, though he was on the sphere for Vizela’s late equalizer. U.S. U-20 mid Alejandro Alvarado was not within the squad for Vizela.

Benji Michel was an unused sub for Arouca in a 2-0 loss on the street to Sporting Braga on Sunday.

Reggie Cannon performed 90 minutes in central protection for Boavista in a predicable 3-1 loss at leaders Benfica on Monday. Cannon managed seven clearances within the loss.

Yanks in Italy

Sergino Dest didn’t get off the bench for AC Milan in a 1-0 away win over Monza. Except issues change rapidly, AC Milan doesn’t seem prone to train its possibility to purchase Dest on its mortgage from Barcelona.

In Serie B, Venezia remained simply outdoors of its relegation playoff place following a 1-1 draw away at Pisa. Tanner Tessman is likely to be the workforce’s finest participant this season and he put in one other robust shift profitable duels, taking pictures, finishing lengthy balls, and serving to dictate the tempo of the sport. The U.S. U-23 hopeful has been a brilliant spot in a foul scenario at Venezia. Andrija Novakovich performed simply the ultimate 16 minutes and Gianluca Busio made a late cameo.

Yanks in Belgium

For a lot of the People in Belgium, it has been a great season. That continued this weekend.

Bryan Reynolds had yet one more robust outing for Westerlo in a 1-0 away win over St. Truiden. Reynolds, 21, prompted all kinds of issues for St. Truiden and on this sport he drew the profitable penalty within the forty first minute. Reynolds is taking part in his approach into an excellent place this summer time as his mortgage from Roma will expire and he ought to have loads of suitors.

Marlon Fossey performed 89 minutes for Normal Liege of their finest win of the season, a 4-2 away victory over second place Union SG. Fossey continues to thrive as a wingback in a 3-5-2 formation the place he can bomb ahead into the assault. He’s been one of many higher breakout tales this season for People in Europe. Will it translate right into a call-up? It’s onerous to say on condition that he performs in a far totally different formation. But when the U.S. workforce ever adopts a wingback formation once more, Fossey could possibly be an important match.

Yanks in Scotland
 

It was an enormous day for Matthew Hoppe on Sunday after an harm pressured him into the sport for Hibs within the thirty seventh minute in opposition to Kilmarnock. With the rating 1-0 within the forty seventh minute, Hoppe received on the top of a fortunate bounce after a failed Kilmarnock clearance hit a teammate within the face. The ball bounced again to Hoppe and he was capable of end from shut vary and a 2-0 lead. That’s the way it ended.

Hoppe, 21, has wanted some luck to go his approach and this was a great second in his second sport on mortgage to Hibs. Hoppe had three pictures on this sport and was named the MOTM for coming off the bench early and discovering the again of the web.

Elsewhere in Scotland, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Celtic had no issues in a 4-0 win over Aberdeen (Dante Polvara went as an unused sub for Aberdeen). Celtic has a 9 level lead atop the desk and continues to don’t have any issues this season with 24 wins in 26 video games, with only one loss.

Rangers continues to win however the nine-point hole appears insurmountable at this level given Celtic’s high quality. This weekend, it was a 3-0 win for Rangers over Livingston. Malik Tillman is out injured for Rangers whereas James Sands got here into the sport within the 87th minute to see out the win. Scott Pittman performed all 90 minutes for Livingston.

Yanks elsewhere
 

After an enormous outing final sport in Serbia’s Premier League in a win over Partizan Belgrade, Romain Gall began and performed simply the primary half for Mladost Novi Unhappy in a 2-1 loss at residence to TSC.

In Austria’s Bundesliga, Sebastian Soto performed the second half for Austria Klagenfurt in a 3-0 loss to Wolfsberger. The previous U.S. youth worldwide got here on after Wolfsberger had scored all three targets however he was unable to muster a comeback.

Within the Greek Tremendous League, Caleb Stanko began and performed 63 minutes for last-place Lamia in a 3-0 loss at residence to Olympiacos.