ASN: Vines and Antwerp stay excellent however many Yanks wrestle in powerful weekend

Even with the video games in England and Scotland postponed, it was a tricky weekend for People aborad as many key gamers within the remaining leagues both did not play or did not play properly. The one exception was in Belgium the place Vines, McKenzie, and Reynolds have been all a part of good wins. 

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
September 12, 2022
1:00 AM

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THE WEEKEND FOR AMERICANS overseas was about as non-eventful as you would get – void of any actual standout performances or particular person accomplishments. Even when you think about all of the video games in England have been postponed, there was nothing very memorable from the performances elsewhere.

In whole there have been a number of People within the nationwide workforce pool who simply didn’t play. Dest, de la Torre,Weah, and Brooks didn’t play after which in England you have got Ream, Robinson, Aaronson, Adams, Pulisic, Steffen, Turner, and Horvath didn’t play. Weston McKennie, Haji Wright, Jordan Pefok, and Gio Reyna have been subpar.

Even within the up-and-coming gamers, Richard Ledezma, Cole Basset, Taylor Sales space, Gianluca Busio, and Kevin Paredes didn’t get on the sphere. Others like Konrad de la Fuente have been lackluster.

Here’s a far shorter evaluation of the video games than in weeks previous.

Vines and Antwerp stay excellent

Sam Vines continues to begin and play a constant position with Royal Antwerp which defeated Cercle Brugge 2-0 away right now. Antwerp now has an ideal 24 factors from eight video games to begin this season.

His performances this yr for Antwerp haven’t been eye-catching and he’s not often among the many high performers in video games, however he passes properly and is remarkably regular and constant. It’s not too far off how he performed in Colorado.

There may be a number of debate proper now amongst American followers in regards to the position of Vines proper now with the nationwide workforce. It is smart as Vines is taking part in properly for a great workforce and there’s no clear backup to the clear first workforce starter Antonee Robinson (who can also be injured). The difficulty Berhalter should contemplate is that the way in which Vines gamers left again is remarkably completely different than the way in which Robinson performs left again. Robinson is much more athletic and faster getting up the sidelines.

Does it make sense to have a backup who is totally stylistically completely different than the beginning possibility? It comes right down to the opposite choices. Assuming the struggling George Bello is now out, Berhalter may play Dest or Scally out of place on the left aspect. Each are primarily proper backs who generally present cowl on the left. Or Berhalter may have a look at John Tolkin who is a little more athletic than Vines and is having an excellent season with the New York Crimson Bulls.

Vines is clearly value a glance in September and Tolkin is likely to be as properly if Robinson is unable to go. If Vines is an possibility, the workforce must readjust to taking part in with him because of his variations with Robinson. It has been awhile since Vines was final with the workforce.

McKenzie & Genk roll

Mark McKenzie and Genk posted their finest win of the season on Sunday with a 2-1 win over Union St. Gilloise. After snug wins over lower-half groups, Genk now defeated not only a good workforce, however a great workforce away.

Genk now has 19 factors from eight video games and is even with Membership Brugge for second behind Antwerp.

McKenzie has clearly carried out a pleasant job after the sale of Jhon Lucumi to Bologna – a transfer that ensured McKenzie would have the beginning job. He’s now having fun with his finest run of video games with Genk since arriving from Philadelphia in early 2021. On this recreation, he made no pricey errors and helped within the win. It was a great outing, general.

Does McKenzie have an opportunity at Qatar? It appears unlikely. Should you assume that Zimmerman and Richards are locks, then there are two (possibly three) remaining central protection spots open. Meaning McKenzie is in pool of gamers together with Carter-Vickers, Palmer-Brown, Lengthy, Ream, Brooks, James Sands, and possibly even Miazga. McKenzie must be close to the highest of that record and that doesn’t appear probably except issues change shortly.

Reynolds & Westerlo upset Anderlecht
 

Bryan Reynolds and Westerlo upset Anderlecht 2-1 on Sunday and it was a really spectacular win for the newly promoted workforce. Reynolds was making simply his second begin with the membership. Maybe Reynolds has discovered a spot the place he can settle into the place and be taught. Roma isn’t the reply and Kortrijk was in a nosedive throughout his mortgage final season.

Reynolds performed pretty properly within the win over Anderlecht and his athleticism makes him an intriguing prospect. The correct again place remains to be new to him, however he’s rising into the position.

Reynolds must deal with his membership play and easily studying. That can give him extra choices after this yr as soon as his mortgage is over. Internationally, he ought to purpose for the 2024 Olympics the place he, together with Joe Scally, are the 2 finest age-eligible choices for the place.

Reyna subs into loss
 

After an eye-opening efficiency within the Champions League on Tuesday when he performed the ultimate 67 minutes and assisted twice in a 3-0 win over Copenhagen,  it was a step again for Gio Reyna over the weekend. The American subbed into Borussia Dortmund’s 3-0 loss to Leipzig within the 61st minute when the rating was 2-0.

Reyna’s first possession was spectacular, and he practically assisted. After that, it was a tricky recreation the place he made some errors and didn’t actually contribute a lot.

All that is to be anticipated after lacking as a lot time as he did final season. This previous week he confirmed his class and talent, however he additionally confirmed that his consistency remains to be not there. Sometimes, in an extended restoration, the consistency is the very last thing to return.

If he stays wholesome, Reyna is a lock to go to Qatar. However what’s his position and the way a lot can he play there. Can he begin all three group stage video games? That doesn’t appear probably. However what number of can he begin? How lengthy can he come off the bench for?

It’s nonetheless unsettled.

Pefok misses penalty, however helps Union
 

Jordan Pefok missed a penalty within the tenth minute of Union Berlin’s massive 1-0 win over Cologne on Saturday however nonetheless made a optimistic impression on the sport. He performed 75 minutes, received his aerials, and helped in protection as Union Berlin now sits atop the Bundesliga after six video games with 14 factors.

Pefok missed the final two video games with an harm, however he returned to the beginning XI for what’s an excellent workforce. He’s additionally discovering methods to assist the workforce win even when he’s not scoring. As of now, he appears to be like like a robust wager to return to the nationwide workforce in September with a resume that compares properly to Sargent, Wright, Vazquez and Pepi – his main opponents.

Scally impresses for M’Gladbach
 

Joe Scally impressed on Sunday for Borussia Monchengladbach in a 0-0 draw with Freiburg. Scally has now performed 96% of Gladbach’s minutes in all competitions this season. On this recreation he accomplished 22/24 of his passes and was typically regular within the win.

Scally now has 36 Bundesliga appearances in his profession and he’s nonetheless a teen. Even when he’s not flashy together with his performances, he’s typically at all times extremely competent.

His U.S. nationwide workforce prospects are bettering by the day with no actual backup left again settled (and the first-choice is harm), Dest not taking part in, Cannon taking part in for granted central defender, Vines nonetheless unproven, and Yedlin struggling in Miami. Scally’s quiet competency is likely to be the absolute best resolution even when he’s nonetheless very younger.

Elsewhere in Germany
 

Elsewhere in Germany, Pellegrino Matarazzo’s VfB Stuttgart workforce fought very arduous for a 2-2 away draw with Bayern Munich. Stuttgart sits in fifteenth place however this recreation confirmed a number of character with a stoppage time equalizing penalty rescuing a degree for the American-managed workforce. Matarazzo’s groups have a popularity for preventing extraordinarily arduous.

Kevin Paredes didn’t get off the bench for Wolfsburg in its spectacular 1-0 away win over Eintracht Frankfurt. Paredes was constructing off two strong sub appearances for Wolfsburg. Timothy Chandler additionally didn’t play for Eintracht on this recreation.

Within the 2.Bundesliga, Lennard Maloney went the gap for Heidenheim in a 0-0 draw with Karlsruhe to stay in third place.

Ryan Malone and Hansa Rostock misplaced their third recreation in a row in a 3-1 loss away to Fortuna Dusseldorf. Malone began in central protection for Rostock.

Terrence Boyd and Kaiserslautern performed Damrstadt to a 3-3 draw on Saturday with Boyd going the gap in a wild recreation the place Kaiserslautern trailed 2-0 into the 74th minute, rallied to take the lead within the 87th minute, however suffered a stoppage time equalizer.

Issues proceed to worsen for George Bello and Arminia Bielefeld. The American joined the Bundesliga membership in January however struggled as they received relegated. Now within the 2.Bundesliga, Bello performs couple of minutes and the membership sits within the backside of the desk eight video games into the season. On Friday, he subbed right into a 0-0 recreation with Nurnburg within the 87th minute and was on the sphere when Nurnburg scored a late winner. Arminia Bielefeld now sits in sixteenth place within the 18-team league.

Sitting in final place is Greuther Furth which has simply 4 factors on the season after Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Madeburg. Timothy Tillman began and performed 88 minutes within the loss whereas Julian Inexperienced subbed into the sport within the 59th minute for Furth. It’s been a tricky begin to the season for each German-People.

Musah & Valencia fall to Rayo Vallecano
 

Yunus Musah and Valencia dropped a 2-1 choice to Rayo Vallecano on Saturday. The U.S. nationwide workforce midfielder went the gap within the loss.

Musah, 19, had a really powerful begin to this recreation. He together with many of the Valencia gamers actually struggled for the primary 40 minutes. Trailing 1-0, Musah made a pleasant attacking play within the forty third minute for Valencia’s finest play within the first half.

Within the second half, Musah was improved regardless of Rayo Vallecano taking a 2-0 lead within the 54th minute because of an personal purpose. He began profitable duels to win possession and serving to Valencia attempt to get again within the recreation. In finish, it was not sufficient and Valencia dropped a 2-1 choice (with a late purpose).

It wasn’t Musah’s finest recreation general, however he improved as the sport went alongside.

McKennie’s wild day
 

Weston McKennie began for Juventus on Sunday in a controversial 2-2 residence draw with Salernitana. McKennie performed 85 minutes and left with Juventus trailing 2-1. He was not on the sphere for the ending mele.

Total, it was a day to neglect for McKennie who (except for his midweek purpose within the loss to PSG) has not had a great begin to the season. A part of it may very well be because of the lack of preseason due to his shoulder harm however he’s not making massive and impactful performs at practically the identical fee.

The final 10 minutes have been insane. Leonardo Bonucci scored the rebound after a missed penalty in stoppage time. Then Arkadiusz Milik scored what appears to be like to be a winner. It’s referred to as again for a horrible offside choice Milik will get despatched off as does Cuadrado. For Salernitana, Federico Fazio was given a crimson.

Juventus will not be taking part in properly, even when they have been robbed this recreation. They need to by no means have been able to be trailing Salernitana 2-0 at residence. McKennie will not be the workforce’s largest downside, however he’s not the answer both. The American’s type at this level needs to be a serious concern for Juventus and the U.S. workforce.

Palmer-Brown & Troyes lose
 

Erik Palmer-Brown began for Troyes on Saturday in a 1-0 loss to Lens. Whereas Palmer-Brown has been taking part in very properly the previous a number of weeks, this was a harder recreation for him. He misplaced Kevin Danso on the workforce’s solely purpose when a free kick was despatched into the field on the left aspect and Danso reduce in entrance of Palmer-Brown.

Within the ninth minute, Palmer-Brown practically was referred to as for a penalty on a tricky deal with however the referee dominated it clear.

Palmer-Brown ended up going 66 minutes as Troyes fell to thirteenth place and Lens rose to 3rd place in Ligue 1.

As for Palmer-Brown on the U.S. workforce, it’ll be a really shut name and with Ream, Carter-Vickers, and even McKenzie taking part in properly, Palmer-Brown has a number of powerful competitors.

Cannon begins in win
 

Boavista defeated Arouca 2-1 away on Sunday. Reggie Cannon began for Boavista however performed simply the primary half with the rating 1-1 when he was taken out.

There have been a number of causes for Cannon’s early hook. The primary is that Arouca was decreased to 10 gamers within the tenth minute (however nonetheless managed to attain first). With teh rating even on the half, Boavista wished to enter a extra attacking formation.

The second motive is that Cannon picked up a yellow card simply earlier than half and this made his elimination comprehensible.

Arouca’s solely purpose got here within the twenty seventh minute on a looping ball over the backline from Tiago Esgaio despatched Rafa Mujica in a alone vs. the keeper. Cannon was one among three gamers who may have carried out higher on the play.

Cannon remains to be taking part in for granted central defender, which makes his nationwide workforce spot as a back-up proper again unclear. Berhalter visited Cannon final week and attended his recreation. However Boavista is doing properly with 12 factors from six video games (good for sixth place). Together with his expertise, he’s most likely in a great spot however he stays a tricky one to learn.

Pepi assists in Groningen debut
 

Ricardo Pepi made his Groningen debut on Saturday within the membership’s 1-0 win over Cambuur. The American ahead got here into the sport to begin the second half with the rating 0-0.

The time period “assist” flatters Pepi on this case as a result of it received on the tip of a really poor Cambuur backpass and handed to Tomas Suslov who did virtually all of the heavy lifting on the purpose.

Ricardo Pepi’s help for Groningen. https://t.co/SW3SkuXtFP

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) September 11, 2022

Pepi had 20 touches in his 45 minutes and performed comparatively properly. The help won’t have been too spectacular, but it surely was most likely the very best factor for him on the sphere since final October. Confidence is an enormous factor for strikers and if just a little factor like this provides Pepi one thing to construct from, then will probably be a pleasant debut.

As for the nationwide workforce, it nonetheless stays powerful to take Pepi to Qatar, however he shall be in his 20’s for the following two World Cups. He has an extended future forward of him.

Elsewhere across the globe
 

One of many hottest People in Europe is definitely in Hungary. Eduvie Ikoba, 24, who performs for Hungary’s Zalaegerszegi TE. On Sunday, he scored for ZTE in a 1-2 loss to Puskas FC Academy. Regardless of the loss, it was his third straight recreation with a purpose and his fifth purpose over his final three video games. These 5 objectives have him in a four-way tie atop the scoring charts.

After taking part in in school at Dartmouth, Ikoba was drafted by FC Dallas with the 63rd decide in 2019 MLS Draft. He didn’t earn a contract however has since performed in Hungary and Slovakia to various ranges of success. His brother Tega Ikoba is at present a homegrown product with the Portland Timbers.

In Italy’s Serie B, SPAL defeated Venezia which had 4 People on the bench – Tanner Tessmann, Andrija Novakovich, Jack De Vries, and Gianluca Busio. SPAL ended up profitable and simply two of the People performed. Tanner Tessmann got here off the bench to begin the second half however picked up his second yellow card within the 88th minute and was despatched off. Novakovich got here off the bench within the 58th minute however missed two good possibilities.

Additionally in Serie B, Anthony Fontana didn’t get off the bench for Ascoli in a 1-0 loss to Perugia on Saturday.

In Belgium, Owen Otasowie began for Membership Brugge’s reserve workforce however was pulled within the thirty eighth minute of a loss to Beershot.

Luca de la Torre’s time at Celta Vigo needs to be an enormous concern for the U.S. nationwide workforce as he’s very not often taking part in. He was an unused sub in Saturday’s 4-1 loss to Atletico Madrid. De la Torre has been the backup No. 8 on the U.S. workforce however his membership type has not been nice in 2022 as his Heracles workforce was relegated out of the Eredivisie and now he’s not taking part in at Celta Vigo.

In Greece, Konrad de la Fuente was not capable of capitalize on two massive possibilities for Olympiacos in a 1-1 draw with NFC Volos. De la Fuente entered the sport within the 78th minute, two minutes after Olympiacos equalized.

Konrad got here off the bench right now.

It may have gone higher. pic.twitter.com/JMnIefZ7do

— Daniel (@DanielSmith1022) September 11, 2022

Additionally within the Greek Tremendous League, Caleb Stanko performed the complete recreation for Asteras Tripolis in a 2-0 loss at residence to Aris Thessaloniki FC.

In Holland, Taylor Sales space for Utrcht, Cole Bassett for Fortuna Sittard, and Richard Ledezma for PSV every went as unsued substitutes over the weekend. Utrecht defeated Vitesse 1-0, Fortuna Sittard drew NEC Nijmegen 1-1, and PSV defeated KRC Waalwijk. All three gamers are eligible for the 2024 Olympic workforce.

In Portugal, John Brooks didn’t play for Benfica in its 1-0 win over Famalicao. Alex Mendez, Alejandro Alvarado, and Vizela tackle Estoril on Monday.

Lastly in Portugal, Joel Sonora began and performed 57 minutes for Maritimo in a 2-1 residence loss to Gil Vicente. Maritimo have misplaced all six video games to begin the season. Sonora solely lately joined Maritimo to assist the last-place workforce in a relegation battle.

In Turkey, Haji Wright has come again right down to earth the previous two video games for Antalyaspor. On Sunday, he went the gap in a 2-0 away loss to Kayserispor. Antalyaspor has been shutout the previous two video games and have now misplaced three in a row.

Additionally in Turkey, Gbolyi Ariyibi began and performed 62 minutes for Ankaragucu in a 2-1 loss to Alanyaspor on Saturday. The membership’s lone purpose was scored after the previous U.S. youth worldwide winger was subbed out. Ankaragucu is in final place with only one level from 5 video games.

In Norway, injured Sam Rogers missed Rosenborg’s 2-1 loss to FK Haugesund. Kobe Hernandez-Foster began however was pulled on the half for HamKam in a 2-1 loss to Viking.

In Sweden’s top-flight on Saturday, last-place GIF Sundsvall loast to Elfsborg 2-1. American central defender Forest Lasso began however was pulled on the half whereas Joe Corona performed the final 23 minutes. Joe Gyau went the gap for Degerfors in a 0-0 draw with Mjaellby. Degerfors stays within the relegation playoff place, seven factors from security.

Within the Canadian Premier League, Osaze De Rosario, 21, bagged his eleventh of the season to place him in second place within the Golden Boot race. It is going to be fascinating to see if any MLS groups present curiosity within the son of Dwayne De Rosario.

TIC-TAC-GOAL! pic.twitter.com/VHmmkGVoaJ

— York United FC (@yorkutdfc) September 10, 2022

In Brazil, Johnny Cardoso began and performed 59 minutes for Internacional in a 1-0 win over Cuiaba. He was not on the sphere for the winner.

In Argentina, Alan Sonora and Independiente go to Sarmiento on Monday.

In Uruguay’s Primera, American defender Mattias Fracchia began and performed 90 minutes for the Montevideo Wanderers in a 3-0 loss to Danubio