ASN: Individuals overseas: Pukstas & Tessmann shine, USMNT scouts readily available in powerful weekend for Yanks

ASN’s Brian Sciaretta breaks down his ideas on a tricky weekend for Individuals aborad – with just a few large exceptions equivalent to Rokas Pukstas for Hajdul Break up and the Yanks at Fulham. This may deliver you updated on all that’s going with Individuals overseas. 

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
February 13, 2023
12:50 PM

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SOMETIMES THERE ARE no methods to sugarcoat unhealthy weekends for Individuals overseas. And albeit, with the notable exceptions of Rokas Pukastas, Tanner Tessmann, the Fulham duo, or Auston Trusty, it was a lackluster or downright unhealthy weekend for almost everybody else. Contemplating what number of Individuals are taking part in abroad, that’s quite a lot of powerful performances.

After all, you begin with accidents to prime gamers. Christian Pulisic stays out for Chelsea. Sergino Dest is each injured and out of favor at AC Milan and is coasting in the direction of a misplaced season. Huddersfield City introduced Duane Holmes is out for a month and that hurts them within the Championship relegation battle – and Huddersfield misplaced this weekend. Lynden Gooch can also be out for Sunderland.

However two gamers are additionally injured on the worst time on account of worldwide issues.

Djordjie Mihailovic has missed three video games in a row for AZ Alkmaar and he has missed out on the membership reaching the highest of the Eredivisie with its 5-0 win over Excelsior this weekend. Internationally, U.S. nationwide crew scout Eric Laurie was set to look at him in Friday’s match however needed to withdraw. The previous Chicago homegrown is lacking large alternatives for the time being.

The identical might be stated for Chris Richards who was a late scratch for Crystal Palace’s lineup on Saturday in its 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion. It was later revealed he picked up a again damage. The issue for Richards is that he has missed a lot time the previous 13 months. Numerous accidents restricted him to lower than 600 membership minutes in 2022 with Hoffenheim and Palace. Then it noticed him miss out on the World Cup. He wants a run of persistently wholesome video games however that continues to be elusive for the extremely gifted central defender.

It simply looks as if far too many Individuals aren’t making large enough impacts this 12 months. Yunus Musah has no objectives and two assists this season and Valencia is within the relegation zone in Spain. Tim Weah hasn’t scored but in 2022/23 and he performs numerous positions today simply to fill voids. Jordan Pefok is on a terrific Union Berlin crew however has one purpose since September 18. Sergino Dest is out of the image at Milan. Christian Pulisic is injured and his future at Chelsea isn’t promising. Chris Richards is injured. Erik Palmer-Brown and Troyes are struggling. Gianluca Busio is a nonfactor in Serie B. Leeds is sinking into the relegation zone and that impacts three necessary Individuals. Josh Sargent has cooled.

Here’s a detailed look of the weekend.

Pukstas nets brace for Hajduk
 

In Croatia’s HNL, U.S. U-20 midfielder Rokas Pukstas performed a full 90 and scored a brace for second place Hajduk Break up in a cushty 4-1 away win over NK Varazdin. The Oklahoma native has been seeing increasingly minutes for Hajduk in latest weeks and was rewarded with the beginning on Saturday.

With the rating 1-1, Hajduk Break up was helped within the 56th minute when Varazdin’s Agon Elezi was despatched off. Varazdin appeared to crumble down a person. After shifting a head within the 77th minute, Pukstas scored his first of the sport the very subsequent minute within the 78th through a highlight-reel bicycle kick.

Rokas Pukstas… good. He’ll characteristic on the U-20 World Cup for the usteam (if launched by Hajduk Break up) pic.twitter.com/0xb2xsJHXb

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) February 11, 2023

Then in stoppage time, Pukstas closed out the scoring on a counterattack on a cross that changed into a shot over the keeper.  

Rokas Pukstas… good. He’ll characteristic on the U-20 World Cup for the usteam (if launched by Hajduk Break up) pic.twitter.com/0xb2xsJHXb

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) February 11, 2023

It woulld seem that Pukstas has the beginning spot lined up for Hajduk Break up and that could be a good accomplishment as Hajduk, together with Dinamo Zagreb (safely in first place), are the 2 greatest groups in Croatia by an enormous margin. Each of those golf equipment have developed an extended record of superb gamers and it is extremely promising for Pukstas that he’s in his present place.

Pukstas, 18, a local of Oklahoma who’s the son of Lithuanian mother and father, has performed most of this cycle with the U.S. U-20 nationwide crew. The odd factor about him is his place. Usually an attacking midfielder for his membership, U.S. U-20 head coach Mikey Varas has performed him in deeper positions behind midfielders equivalent to Paxten Aaronson and Jack McGlynn. He has rotated within the No. 6 with Daniel Edelman. He’s been uneven in that position the place he was okay throughout the CONCACAF qualifiers final summer time however he struggled on the 2023 Revelations Cup in September.

Pukstas looks as if a terrific candidate to progress from the 2023 U-20 World Cup to the Olympics after which, if he’s adequate, enter the U.S. nationwide crew pool.

However there’s the query of getting launched. The HNL season goes by way of June 3 and the U-20 World Cup begins on Might 20. If he’s to take part on the U-20 World Cup, Hajduk Break up should conform to a launch the place he misses three video games. That’s a tricky ask, however it isn’t fully unreasonable. Because it stands now, Hajduk appears unlikely to ever come inside attain of first place Dinamo Zagreb however is probably going far past the remainder of the pack for second place. There’s a likelihood the final a number of video games might be meaningless for Hajduk.

We’ll see.

USMNT scouts watch powerful outcomes
 

Final week, U.S. Soccer introduced the scouting itinerary for interim head coach Anthony Hudson, scout Eric Laurie, and assistant coach B.J. Callaghan. The three are in Europe gamers who’re each locks and on the sting of the participant pool as there’s a good likelihood that the group will probably be main the nationwide crew for the March video games and sure the 2 summer time tournaments as properly – the Nations League last rounds and the Gold Cup.

Right here is the upcoming #USMNT scouting itinerary for interim head coach Anthony Hudson, scout Eric Laurie, and assistant coach B.J. Callaghan pic.twitter.com/7VYCQmWfUr

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) February 10, 2023

What they noticed this weekend will need to have been very disappointing.

For Anthony Hudson, his first this weekend was watching Birmingham Metropolis host West Bromwich on Friday. This could permit him to see two Individuals on the sting of the participant pool on the lookout for call-ups. As anticipated, Auston Trusty began on the left-side of a three-man backline for Birmingham Metropolis and Daryl Dike began at heart ahead for West Brom.

What Hudson noticed was Birmingham Metropolis roll to a 2-0 win. The takeaways have been apparent. Dike struggled for the third straight recreation for West Brom and performed 68 minutes. In the meantime, Trusty performed properly once more for the second straight recreation and Trusty has performed each single minute this season for Birmingham Metropolis. His left-footed passing out of the again is one thing that’s sometimes of curiosity to scouts.

If Hudson was going to take what he realized from these video games and apply it to the March roster, Dike may need a tough time getting a call-up subsequent month. As an alternative, Hudson would possibly choose to play with Brandon Vazquez who performed properly in January camp. Then again, Auston Trusty may get a call-up if Hudson desires to maneuver past Aaron Lengthy whereas discover youthful choices on the left facet in contrast with Tim Ream.

The second recreation Hudson took in was on Sunday when he watched Leeds United host Manchester United. This could permit him to soak up three gamers who’re apparent first-choice locks for the U.S. crew: Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, and Brenden Aaronson.

In contrast to the sport midweek, Manchester United discovered a means for 2-0 win. Leeds performed properly for stretches, significantly at first of the second half, however Manchester United was simply ruthless with its probabilities. Tyler Adams was the very best Leeds participant within the recreation. He did the standard issues that Adams does properly. McKennie had his moments however his sloppiness led to a turnover which Manchester United capitalized for the second purpose. Aaronson didn’t supply a lot off the bench.

Leeds United’s subsequent recreation at Everton subsequent weekend and this may have large implications within the relegation battle. All three Individuals at Leeds United ought to get referred to as up in March.

U.S. nationwide crew scout Eric Laurie was in Holland for the weekend and Djordje Mihailovic’s damage noticed him miss out on the chance to impress. He’s on the sting of the participant pool and this was a chance to get again on the within.

On Saturday, Laurie took in PSV Eindhoven’s 6-0 drubbing of Groningen. As is the norm, Richard Ledezma didn’t play for PSV and a mortgage to NYCFC appears nearer as he badly must play. The actual goal of Laurie watching this recreation was to scout Ricardo Pepi who performed 85 minutes. Groningen was luck to not have conceded 11 objectives on this recreation. PSV had 13 photographs on purpose to Groningen’s one. PSV additionally had eight photographs off beam to Groningen’s one. PSV additionally had 13 photographs blocked in comparison with Groningen’s one. PSV had 18 corners whereas Groningen additionally had only one.

Einde wedstrijd.

Stevige nederlaag uit bij PSV. #PSVGRO pic.twitter.com/QRLkWorrQK

— FC Groningen (@fcgroningen) February 11, 2023

Pepi is on a sinking ship that’s more likely to get relegated. There merely wasn’t a lot he may do on this recreation and this was a loss that’s more likely to have an effect on crew morale.

Then on Sunday, Laurie watched Vitesse defeat Utrecht 2-0. Laurie was scouting Taylor Sales space who has had a terrific a number of months for Utrecht since October. Sadly, this was in all probability the hardest outing Sales space has had since he broke into the beginning lineup. He performed 65 minutes and each of Vitesse’s objectives got here after Vitesse was decreased to 10 males within the 51st.

Each Vitesse objectives scored after Vitesse went right down to 10 males within the 51st – 63rd and ninetieth min objectives. Nobody on Utrecht had a constructive efficiency, together with Sales space. He’s nonetheless having a profitable season, and this received’t set him again. The steadiness of his work ought to nonetheless see him getting referred to as up though his precedence needs to be with the Olympic crew by way of subsequent 12 months.

Musah & Valencia sink into relegation zone
 

On Sunday, Yunus Musah performed 69 minutes for Valencia in a 2-1 loss at residence to Athletic Bilbao. Valencia had a 1-0 lead early and noticed a gradual collapse en path to the loss. With that loss – it’s fourth in a row – Valencia ended the weekend in La Liga’s relegation zone.

Musah, 20, is incomes quite a lot of minutes this 12 months, which is nice. However he’s nonetheless struggling to make constructive impacts in video games. In 18 La Liga appearances together with 17 begins over 1397 minutes, Musah has no objectives and two assists. Whereas most Valencia gamers should not residing as much as expectations, Musah must be producing extra by way of creating probabilities and ending probabilities. Sure, he’s younger, however he must be delivering extra.

Tessmann big in Venezia win
 

It’s been a tricky season for Venezia. After relegation out of Serie A final season, they got here into this weekend within the relegation zone in Serie B. However they’re now out of the relegation zone because of a 2-1 win over SPAL together with a large efficiency from Tanner Tessmann – who has been taking part in with coronary heart and is without doubt one of the crew’s most decided gamers.

— Males in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) February 11, 2023

Tessmann, 21, performs with quite a lot of grit and uncooked dedication it takes to win relegation battles. It displays properly on him. It’s why he doubtless will transfer up from Venezia after this season. On this recreation, he had six photographs, received duels, and was consistently attacking. His purpose was the definitive second within the recreation.

Tanner Tessmann: uncooked # for Venezia in 2-1 win vs SPAL81 mins54 touches22/33 passing6 photographs, 4 on target1 goal1 off post6 passes into the ultimate third3/6 floor duels won4/6 aerials

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) February 11, 2023

Extra regarding, nonetheless, is Gianluca Busio who performed simply six minutes and Andrija Novakovich who performed simply 9 minutes.

Tessmann is one other participant who needs to be checked out for the U.S. U-23 Olympic crew as a doubtlessly necessary participant. Serie B isn’t a excessive stage, however you possibly can study quite a lot of classes about grinding out outcomes and desperation there.

Hoffenheim struggles in Matarazzo debut
 

Hoffenheim’s first recreation below American supervisor Pellegrino Matarazzo noticed the membership’s struggles proceed. Hoffenheim misplaced at residence 3-1 to Bayer Leverkusen with John Brooks going a full 90 in central protection whereas U.S. U-20 defender Justin Che was not within the matchday squad.

Matarazzo has his work reduce out for him. Hoffenheim’s protection continues to be a large number and this loss meant Hoffenheim has two attracts and eight losses in its previous 10 Bundesliga video games. The membership has 26 objectives conceded in its final eight Bundesliga video games.

Matarazzo solely had a two coaching periods along with his crew earlier than this recreation, so he hasn’t been capable of implement something but however that is going to take critical rethinking to its defensive facet of the ball. The membership is now solely two factors from the relegation playoff spot and is trending within the mistaken means.

Brooks has been poor. Sure, the membership struggled earlier than he arrived however Brooks has been a part of the issue since he arrived. Matarazzo will doubtless proceed to make use of him due to his expertise however Brooks must be higher and Matarazzo has to consider methods to get him in the very best place.

Yank duo robust once more for Fulham
 

On Saturday, Fulham defeated Nottingham Forest 2-0 at Craven Cottage with Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson every going a full 90 on the left facet of the protection within the win. With the three factors, Fulham ended the weekend in seventh place within the Premier League.

Robinson, 25, is much extra polished this season in contrast along with his final within the Premier League. He isn’t talked about a lot, however he has been a giant a part of the crew’s success and was good on this one regardless of just a few off crosses.

Doesn’t get significantly better than a win and clear sheet at residence ???? Nice shift from the lads, thanks as at all times to the followers for the good help! ???? pic.twitter.com/buowiqAj63

— Antonee Robinson (@Antonee_Jedi) February 11, 2023

Ream, 25, alternatively, was prime notch and it raises just a few questions. How far off being named to the Premier League crew of the season is Ream? He’s been that good. Additionally, if he was 25, what kind of golf equipment could be after him?

Tim Ream: uncooked # for Fulham in 2-0 win vs N. Forest90 mins75 touches57/62 passing8/11 lengthy balls5 passes into last third4 clearances3 interceptions13 recoveries4/4 floor duels received? Fulham into seventh

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) February 11, 2023

Another query to ask about Ream. Can he hold on one other 18 months and nonetheless be a part of the U.S. crew for the Copa America?

Yanks Throughout the Globe
 
Yanks in Germany
 

Wolfsburg performed to a disappointing 0-0 draw with last-place Schalke. After a terrific stretch, Wolfsburg now has only one level from their final three video games to fall to seventh place within the Bundesliga. U.S. U-20 winger Kevin Paredes got here into the sport within the 53rd minute. He had one very nice dribbling sequence halfway by way of the second half however wasn’t as efficient as he has been in latest weeks. However Wolfsburg, as a crew, was off on the day.

Union Berlin posted a formidable 2-1 win over Leipzig on Saturday. Jordan Pefok entered the sport within the 62nd minute with the rating 1-1. Whereas Union Berlin received and stays only one level behind Bayern Munich, Pefok didn’t have a lot of an impression on this recreation. Nonetheless, he has an opportunity within the weeks and months forward to be a part of an effort to dethrone Bayern.

Gio Reyna, 20, made his first begin of 2023 for Borussia Dortmund and he performed 66 minutes in a 2-0 away win over Werder Bremen. It was necessary to see him begin and maybe a few of it was on account of rotation forward of Wednesday’s Champions League recreation towards Chelsea, however Reyna must construct up his stamina. Whereas Reyna didn’t have the impression he has had off the bench lately and left with the sport 0-0, seeing him begin is simply as necessary.

On an important and fascinating be aware, Anthony Hudson will probably be in attendance on Wednesday to attend Dortmund’s recreation towards Chelsea. This will probably be fascinating to see how the 2 join in gentle of the ugly scenario which has devolved between the Reyna and Berhalter households. The investigation continues to be ongoing.

Additionally within the Bundesliga, Joe Scally performed 89 minutes for Borussia Monchengladbach in an unpleasant 4-1 loss to relegation battling Hertha BSC. In the meantime, Timothy Chandler was an unused substitute for Eintracht Frankfurt in a 3-0 away loss to Cologne.

Within the 2.Bundesliga, St. Pauli is now three wins in three video games below new supervisor Fabian Hurzeler. The Houston-born Hurzeler, solely 29, has now moved the membership away from the relegation zone and into midtable following Sunday’s 1-0 win over Terrence Boyd and Kaiserslautern. Boyd had scored match-winners in his final two recreation and continues to be the fourth main scorer within the league.

Hansa Rostock defeated Arminia Bielefeld 1-0 away on Sunday. Ryan Malone, 31, began in central protection for tenth place Hansa Rostock whereas George Bello began and performed 68 minutes for Arminia Bielefeld, which fell again into the relegation playoff place.

Julian Inexperienced performed a full 90 minutes for Greuther Furth in a brutal 2-1 loss to Karlsuher. Karlsruher was decreased to 10 males within the twenty fourth minute with Furth successful 1-0. Karlsruher mounted the shorthanded comeback for a 2-1 win.

Lennard Maloney performed 90 minutes for promotion contending Heidenheim in a 3-3 draw at residence to second place Hamburg SV. Maloney struggled to start out his skilled profession however the 2018 U.S. U-20 defender has moved from central protection and into the defensive midfield the place he’s a daily starter.

Yanks in England
 

Matt Turner was an unused substitute as ordinary for Arsenal in a 1-1 draw with Brentford in London.

Within the Championship, Josh Sargent didn’t supply a lot for Norwich in his 61 minutes of a 1-0 loss to Bristol on Saturday. In the meantime, USMNT goalkeeper Zack Steffen and third-place Middlesbrough are coasting to the promotional playoffs after a 3-1 away win over Cardiff Metropolis in Wales. Fellow goalkeeper Ethan Horvath can also be more likely to be within the promotional playoffs with fourth-place Luton City who posted a 1-1 away draw with Coventry Metropolis on Saturday.

Yanks in France
 

Stade de Reims simply defeated Troyes 4-0 on Sunday with English youth worldwide however American-born Folarin Balogun scoring once more to steer Ligue 1 in scoring. The chances of him switching anytime quickly appear slim as he’s placing up numbers that can put him inside attain of an English call-up. Erik Palmer-Brown went 90 minutes from Troyes which has been taking part in very poor soccer recently and has simply 19 factors from 23 video games. It is just away from the relegation zone by one level however is trending within the mistaken course.

In the meantime, Tim Weah performed 90 minutes filling in at left again for Lille in a 2-0 win over Strasbourg. Weah is an effective participant however the unlucky factor this season is that he’s getting used to easily plug holes. Weah continues to be but to attain this season however Lille is in fifth place in Ligue 1.

Yanks in Spain & Italy
 

Luca de la Torre was okay on Sunday when he made his third straight begin for Celta Vigo. He performed 86 minutes in a 1-0 loss to Atletico Madrid at residence. Atletico’s winner got here within the 89th minute after de la Torre was subbed out however Atletico was right down to 10 gamers beginning within the seventieth minute. De la Torre was environment friendly in possession however wasn’t threatening and didn’t create a lot.

Sergino Dest was once more not within the squad for AC Milan in a 1-0 win over Torino. He has been injured and has been out of favor with the Italian giants. It will likely be a really fascinating summer time for Dest who will doubtless not have is mortgage choice exercised by Milan and he’s not wished by Barcelona. He’ll doubtless need to discover a new membership. A French publication linked him to Marseille final week however we’re nonetheless months from discovering out something concrete.

Yanks in Belgium
 

Mark McKenzie went 90 minutes for Belgian leaders KRC Genk on Sunday however his crew was surprised by Antwerp at residence 1-0. It was simply the second lack of the season for Genk. McKenzie will doubtless return to the U.S. crew quickly by advantage of his season the place he’s a lock starter for the doubtless champions. However the strain will probably be on him to carry out.

In the meantime, Bryan Reynolds went 88 minutes for Westerlo in a 3-3 wild draw with Gent. Reynolds had combined opinions for his efficiency on this recreation however he has had a pleasant season, regardless. In the meantime, Marlon Fossey has additionally had a pleasant season for Commonplace Liege however Saturday’s 0-2 loss at residence to Kortrijk was not an excellent second.

Yanks in Portugal
 

Alex Mendez was unexpectedly subbed into Vizela’s 0-0 draw with Chaves within the thirty eighth minute on Saturday. Mendez has had an uneven season the place he has performed properly at instances however has not been capable of lock down a beginning place. That’s higher than the membership’s U.S. U-20 midfielder Alejandro Alvarado who hasn’t made the matchday squad for ninth-place Vizela in months.

Seventh-place Arouca defeated Santa Clare 1-0 on Sunday with Benji Michel performed the ultimate 26 minutes within the win. Michel managed only one shot in his look.

On Monday, Reggie Cannon returned to the beginning lineup for Boavista performed 90 minutes for Boavista in a 0-0 draw at Casa Pia FC.

Yanks within the Scottish Cup
 

This weekend noticed the Scottish Cup fifth-round performed and 4 Individuals featured.

First, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Celtic had no issues in a 5-1 win over St. Mirren. Carter-Vickers went the space within the win. Second, Scott Pittman performed 58 minutes for Livingston in a 3-0 loss at residence to Inveress.

However the true highlights got here for Rangers in a 3-2 win over second-tier Partick Thistle. Each Individuals James Sands and Malik Tillman went 90 minutes within the win and each scored. Tillman even drew a penalty within the second half that was saved.

However the recreation was loaded with controversy. With the sport 1-1, Partick Thistle was going to offer the ball again to Rangers after Rangers kicked the ball out of bounds on account of an damage to Tillman. Tillman promptly stole the ball and moved in for a go-ahead purpose. Partick Thistle was furious on the sportsmanship however Rangers then let Partick Thistle rating.

However then it was Sands who headed residence a nook for a winner within the 86th.

For Sands, he has had a tricky few months and Rangers may not purchase him from his mortgage. However this one felt good and it shapes him up for a summer time the place he may need to discover a new membership.

Total, it wasn’t an excellent recreation for Rangers. Partick Thistle is a crew Rangers ought to comfortably beat and this recreation shouldn’t have been shut – however it was. Nonetheless, it was good to see Sands get a chance to contribute.

Yanks Elsewhere
 

Within the Serbian Tremendous League, Romain Gall scored the opening purpose for FK Mladost in a giant 4-0 win on the highway at Partizan Belgrade – who was jeered by its personal supporters.

For his efforts, Gall was named to the Serbian Tremendous League’s Staff of the Week.

Romain Gall uttagen i omgångens lag i den Serbiska ligan. ???????? pic.twitter.com/QL2oUdUXk2

— MFF – Proffskollen (@MFFProffskoll) February 13, 2023

In Hungary, Eduvie Ikoba went 90 minutes for ZTE in a 1-0 loss to Pukas Academy. Ikoba is the second main scorer within the NB I with 10 objectives. Additionally on Saturday in Hungary, leaders Ferencvaros performed Kisvarda to a 0-0 draw and American fullback Henry Wingo performed the ultimate 14 minutes for Ferencvaros.

In Austria, Sebastian Soto performed last 33 for seventh-place Austria Klagenfurt in 3-1 loss away to Austria Vienna.