ASN: Hoppe vs. Bayern Aaronson’s looming Salzburg debut, Musah vs. Atletico prime weekend

American youngsters Matthew Hoppe and Yunus Musah will get to play towards two of the world’s finest groups whereas membership debuts await – with Brenden Aaronson main the way in which in Austria. Brian Sciaretta is right here to interrupt all of it down in his huge weekend preview. 

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
January 22, 2021
9:30 AM

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THE WEEKEND IS HERE and so is a full slate of video games for American gamers throughout the globe. This ought to be a enjoyable weekend as we might probably see quite a few membership debuts after a collection of winter transfers whereas we additionally get to see an infinite alternative for Matthew Hoppe in his unimaginable run.

Membership debuts are all the time enjoyable as it’s a recent begin and typically a step up with new challenges.

The large debut might come on Sunday when U.S. nationwide group attacking midfielder Brenden Aaronson is prone to play for Austrian Bundesliga leaders Purple Bull Salzburg when it visits Altach. Aaronson is coming off a 2020 season the place he led the Philadelphia Union to the Supporters Protect. He not too long ago scored in a preseason sport final weekend.

Aaronson is much from the one membership debut which might come. U.S. nationwide group defender Mark McKenzie, additionally most not too long ago with the Philadelphia Union, might make his debut for Genk towards Belgian leaders Membership Brugge on Saturday. Combine Diskerud introduced his transfer to Denizilspor in Turkish Tremendous Lig they usually host Fatih Karagumruk on Sunday. Andrew Wooten and FC Admira go to St. Poelten on Saturday. Henry Wingo additionally accomplished a transfer from Molde to Ferencvaros in Hungary they usually go to Puscas FC Academy on Saturday.

Exterior of Aaronson’s looming debut, this weekend may even be topped by Matthew Hoppe, who has scored 5 targets in his final three video games, and his last-place Schalke group visiting Bayern Munich on Sunday. If the California teen scores on this one, will probably be an infinite story as that is merely a unique degree of competitors.

However there may be additionally conditions of concern which might be necessary to observe – primarily within the Bundesliga. Josh Sargent’s scoring droop continues to depart the younger American annoyed and on Saturday his Werder Bremen group visits Hertha Berlin – a group Sargent has had success taking part in towards previously. Tyler Adams additionally wants to begin taking part in extra minutes once more and Leipzig visits relegation-fodder Mainz on Saturday. Pellegrino Matarazzo’s VfB Stuttgart group is coming off its worst lack of the season midweek to Arminia Bielefeld. The American supervisor must flip issues round shortly to stay in midtable within the Bundesliga.

Then in England, Christian Pulisic and slumping Chelsea have an opportunity to snap out of its droop towards Luton City. It has been ages since Tyler Boyd has performed however maybe he able to return to the sphere for Besiktas on Sunday towards Goztepe.

When it comes to prime gamers who received’t play or are questionable. Sergino Dest missed Barcelona’s Copa del Rey win this week with a thigh harm and is questionable. Reggie Cannon and Boavista are off this weekend.

With all that stated, here’s what I will probably be expecting on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Schalke 04 – Bayern Munich
The Bundesliga,
Sunday, January 24: 12:00pm EST

Matthew Hoppe, 19, is the highest story proper now in American soccer. Heck, he’s most likely been the largest soccer story in Germany for the reason that begin of 2021. Over the previous two weeks, Hoppe has scored 5 targets in three video games. He started that stretch by changing into the primary American to register a hat trick within the Bundesliga.

However these targets got here towards Hoffenheim, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Koln. Now he’ll get to face the reigning Bundesliga and Champions League title holders. He’s on the radar now of many European golf equipment who’re taking curiosity however a aim right here would transfer him into the quick lane – even perhaps a transfer earlier than the top of the month. It additionally looks like only a matter of time earlier than he makes his U.S. nationwide group debut.

Schalke 04 could be very deep within the relegation gap and its probabilities of staying up are slim-to-none, even with a stunning win towards Bayern. The chances of Hoppe staying with the membership subsequent season are additionally getting smaller with each passing sport. He’s too precious and Schalke’s funds are usually not nice.

Hoppe’s January has been an incredible story given how sudden it has been. A part of how nice it has been is what it’ll do for Hoppe’s future within the months forward for each membership and nation.

Altach – Purple Bull Salzburg
The Austrian Bundesliga
Sunday, January 24: 8:30am EST

Brenden Aaronson’s growth in 2020 was among the best tales in MLS final 12 months. The teenage American attacking midfielder led the Philadelphia Union to its first silverware within the Supporters Protect. With a spot on the nationwide group, Aaronson has additionally made the transfer to Austria to affix defending champions and present leaders Purple Bull Salzburg the place he has hit the bottom working in the course of the winter break – scoring final weekend in a pleasant.

After all, Aaronson is taking part in beneath American supervisor Jesse Marsch who was instrumental in bringing Aaronson to Austria and charges him extremely. Within the coming months, Aaronson will try to win one other piece of silverware within the Austrian Cup and the Austrian Bundesliga. His first few steps in Austria will probably be nicely value following.

Hertha BSC – Werder Bremen
The Bundesliga
Saturday, January 23: 12:30pm EST

Josh Sargent has only one aim this 12 months however on Saturday he’ll get to face an opponent through which he has had success previously. In 2019/20, Sargent scored two of his 4 targets towards Hertha. This sport might be simply what the physician ordered for Sargent. Hertha, like Werder Bremen, isn’t having a superb season and Werder at present sits one level forward of Hertha – which is simply two factors away from the relegation zone.

Each groups need to keep away from falling right into a anxious relegation battle, and the loser on this one might discover itself in some stress.

Sargent isn’t taking part in poorly. There are some components of the sport the place he’s actually serving to Werder. It would solely be a difficulty of confidence the place one aim might ignite a spark that results in a wave of targets. That is still to be seen however Hertha is an effective group for him to face to probably begin that spark.

Mainz – RB Leipzig
The Bundesliga
Saturday, January 23: 9:30am EST

Second place RB Leipzig will go to a Mainz group sinking deeper and deeper into the relegation gap on Saturday. For Tyler Adams, the query will probably be taking part in – and maybe taking part in in central midfield.

Adams has not began both of Leipzig’s previous two video games however this one towards a weak opponent would possibly open the door for him as he’s nicely rested. If he does get the chance, he should seize it with the Champions League knockout video games approaching subsequent month. He must reclaim his standing as a near-regular starter and Saturday might be a pleasant step for him. Up to now he has began 9 of the membership’s 17 Bundesliga video games.

Bayer Leverkusen – VfL Wolfsburg
The Bundesliga
Saturday, January 23: 9:30am EST

John Brooks is coming off an enormous outing midweek in a 2-0 street win over Mainz however that was towards a relegation fodder membership. Now he’ll get to go to third place Bayer Leverkusen.

Wolfsburg at present sits fifth within the Bundesliga and trails Borussia Dortmund for forth place and the Champions League positions solely on aim differential. A end result on this one might see it transfer safely into the highest 4. However profitable would require an enormous effort from Wolfsburg – and its backline which is anchored by Brooks.

Brooks has the prospect to steer a group into the Champions League subsequent season and is having a really robust season. This sport will probably be telling.

Juventus – Bologna
Serie A
Sunday, January 24: 6:30am EST

Juventus received the Italian Tremendous Cup this previous week and Weston McKennie turned the primary U.S worldwide to win silverware in Italy. The two-0 win over Napoli was a pleasant accomplishment however Juventus isn’t having an incredible season, however its personal lofty requirements. Final weekend’s loss to Inter Milan sunk it into fifth place in Serie A and it’s 10 factors off AC Milan on the prime of the desk.

McKennie, 22, is having an distinctive season and is displaying himself to be a part of the membership’s long-term future. He may not win the Scuttedo this 12 months however his future is remarkably brilliant. He’s taking part in at such a excessive degree proper now and virtually all of his performances are noteworthy.

On Sunday, Juventus will host twelfth place Bologna in a sport Juve ought to win. The race is on for Juve to at the least safe a Champions League spot subsequent season and it’s one level out of the highest 4. A part of getting again into that event will probably be profitable video games like these. For McKennie, he’s a giant a part of Juventus in no matter they do.

Chelsea – Luton City
The FA Cup
Sunday, January 24: 7:00am

Proper now, Chelsea wants a spart and the London membership is struggling beneath embattled supervisor Frank Lampard. On Tuesday, Chelsea was notably torpid in a 2-0 loss to Leicester Metropolis the place it confirmed there may be nonetheless a niche between Chelsea and the most effective groups within the league.

Christian Pulisic, 22, hasn’t been one in every of Chelsea’s issues however he hasn’t been an answer both. The skidding isn’t on him however he can nonetheless assist reverse the pattern. The group wants confidence an on Sunday, Luton City might be an incredible alternative for the membership to get its offense again. Luton City is a midtable Championship group that received’t be simple for Chelsea however it’s an opponent which Chelsea ought to comfortably advance.

A loss to Luton City will definitely set off much more alarm bells amongst Chelsea supporters.

Atletico Madrid – Valencia
La Liga
Sunday, January 24: 3:00pm EST

Valencia is struggling nowadays and is simply three factors away from relegation. The membership is clearly far faraway from its days as one in every of Spain’s finest golf equipment. On Sunday, Valencia will go to an Atletico Madrid group working away with La Liga – seven factors clear atop the desk with a sport in hand as well. It has only one loss on the season.

For Valencia, it’s a nice problem but in addition an incredible alternative. Sadly, a loss would see the relegation line creep nearer.

For American midfielder Yunus Musah, will probably be a giant alternative for him towards among the best groups on the planet in the mean time. If Valencia needs to have any probability on this sport, it’ll want everybody to step up. In a midweek 1-1 draw with Osasuna, Musah’s cross led to an equalizing personal aim.

This problem will probably be on one other degree for probably the most promising American youngsters within the sport.

SM Caen – Rodez
Ligue 2
Saturday, January 23: 1pm EST

On Wednesday, U.S. nationwide group ahead Nicholas Gioacchini, 20, scored a pleasant aim for SM Caen towards Guingamp within the French Cup. Sadly, for Caen its promotional hopes have gone up in smoke.

However a latest formational change on the membership is alleged to be benefitting Gioacchini and Caen ought to be favored to win Saturday’s sport towards a Rodez group that’s within the relegation playoff place (albeit it has one win and 4 losses in its final 5).

Gioacchini is an effective U.S. nationwide group prospect however the emergence of gamers like Hoppe and Dike will make it necessary that he proceed to carry out nicely to earn call-ups.

Borussia Monchengladbach – Borussia Dortmund
The Bundesliga
Friday, January 22: 2:30pm EST

Gio Reyna, 18, and Borussia Dortmund are in a hunt to stay within the Champions League positions this season and can face a tricky check on Friday towards seventh-place Borussia Monchengladbach. Dortmund has been poor in its final two – drawing relegation fodder Mainz and dropping to Bayer Leverkusen.

A loss on this one would spell hassle for Dortmund’s probabilities of returning to the event subsequent season as Wolfsburg, Union Berlin, and Borussia Monchengladbach are all inside only one level – the latter would over take it with a win.

Reyna is a particularly promising participant however the stress will probably be on him the remainder of the season because the video games are getting an increasing number of necessary.

Anderlecht – Waasland Beveren
The Belgian Professional League
Friday, January 22: 2:45pm EST

Matt Miazga and Anderlecht will host Joe Efford and Waasland Beveren in a matchup of two Belgian groups who every characteristic an American.

Clearly Maizga is essentially the most distinguished participant as he’s a contender to begin for the U.S. nationwide group. He has been a welcome addition to the membership since becoming a member of on mortgage from Chelsea in October and there may be chatter the membership needs to maintain him subsequent season.

The aim for Anderlecht this season has all the time been to get into the highest 4 to get again into Europe. Proper now it sits in fifth however solely trials on aim differential.

On Friday, Anderlecht might want to attempt to win huge over a Waasland-Beveren membership that’s within the relegation zone. Georgia-born winger Joe Efford will doubtless be on the bench on this one.

Elsewhere across the globe

Alfredo Morales and Julian Inexperienced will sq. off within the 2.Bundesliga when Fortuna Dusseldorf hosts Greuther Furth on Friday. On Saturday, Bobby Wooden and Hamburg go to Eintracht Braunschweig.

On Sunday within the 2.Bundesliga Kevin Lankford, Leon Flach and St. Pauli are persevering with a push to climb out of the relegation zone. Sunday’s dwelling sport towards Jahn Regensburg will probably be a giant check. Final weekend, German-American Jan George had an enormous outing for Jahn Regensburg when he had 2 targets and an help in a 3-1 win over Sandhausen.

On Friday within the FA Cup, Owen Otasowie might characteristic for Wolverhampton when it visits Chorley. On Sunday, Antonee Robinson, Tim Ream and Fulham host Burnley.

In England’s Premier LEague, DeAndre Yedlin and Newcastle go to Aston Villa on Saturday.

Within the Championship, Geoff Cameron, Charlie Kelman and Queens Park Rangers host Derby County on Saturday.

Within the FA Cup, Zack Steffen ought to begin for Manchester Metropolis on Saturday towards Cheltenham. Lynden Gooch is out for Sunderland because it hosts Shrewsbury City.

Within the Bundesliga, Timothy Chandler and Eintracht Frankfrut go to Arminia Bielefeld on Saturday. Pellegrino Matarazzo and his VfB Stuttgart group go to Freiburg

Within the Eredivisie, Luca de la Torre and Heracles host Uly Llanez and Heerenveen on Saturday. Desevio Payne is out for FC Emmen because it visits ADO den Haag.

In Belgium’s prime flight, Brenden Hines-Ike and Kortrijk host Cercle Brugge on Saturday. In the meantime, Chris Durkin and a surging St. Truiden will host Royal Excel Mouscron. St. Truiden has received 5 of its final six video games within the league and is now safely in midtable.

On Sunday in Belgium, Membership Brugge hosts Genk. Ethan Horvath ought to be the backup goalkeeper for league main Brugge. Mark McKenzie is aiming for his membership debut for Genk after his switch from Philadelphia.

In Spain’s Segunda, Shaq Moore and Tenerife go to Lugo on Saturday.

In Ligue 2, Patrick Koffi will hope to return to Paris FC’s matchday sheet when it visits Amiens.

In Austria’s Bundesliga on Saturday, Andrew Wooten and last-place FC Admira go to SKN ST. Poelten. Erik Palmer-Brown and Austria Vienna go to Ried.

In Hungary, Henry Wingo would possibly make his membership debut league leaders Ferencvaros after they go to Puscas FC Academy on Saturday.

In Serie B on Saturday, Andrija Novakovich and Frosinone host Reggina. Guiseppe Barone will hope to make his professional debut for Salernitana when it hosts Pescara.

On Sunday in La Liga, Sergino Dest will hope to be wholesome for Barcelona when it visits Elche. Konra de la Fuente will hope to make the bench for Barca.

In Ligue 1 on Sunday, Tim Weah and Lille go to Rennes. Will Weah make his second begin of the season?

In Turkey’s prime flight on Sunday, Combine Dikserud will goal for his membership debut for last-place Denizilspor – towards Fatih Karagumruk. Tyler Boyd will goal to return to the lineup for leaders Besiktas towards Goztepe.

In Brazil, New Jersey native and U.S. nationwide group defensive midfielder Johnny Cardoso, 19, will doubtless be on the bench for Serie A number one Internacional when it hosts Gremio on Sunday. The 2 groups from Porto Allegre are arch rivals.

In Greece’s Tremendous League on Sunday, Gboly Aryibi and Panetolikos host Lamia

In Switzerland’s Tremendous League, Jordan Siebatcheu and league leaders Younger Boys BSC go to FC Vaduz.