ASN: Robinson vs. Liverpool, Reyna vs. Matarazzo, Adams vs. Sargent prime weekend overseas

The Weekend Overseas now sees video games the place groups are faraway from the distraction of European competitions and worldwide home windows. It is a enjoyable time the place home leagues are on the entrance burner and ASN’s Brian Sciaretta appears to be like at all of it intimately. 

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
December 11, 2020
12:05 PM

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DECEMBER HAS been a wild journey on the earth of American soccer. The MLS playoffs have been very entertaining and MLS Cup shall be performed on Saturday. The U.S. nationwide staff rolled previous El Salvador and it ushed within the debut for a lot of different younger gamers. A file variety of American gamers have already performed within the Champions League and the league seasons in Europe and South American proceed to achieve success.

However in a way of optimism, here’s a take a look at one of many all-time biggest moments from the U.S. nationwide staff that got here from Clint Mathis, who was lower than a 12 months faraway from tearing his ACL.

However league play now takes middle stage as European competitions are paused till subsequent 12 months and the subsequent worldwide window isn’t till March. So squad rotation won’t be as advanced as coaches aren’t compelled to worth sure tournaments greater than others.

It’s a easy time of 12 months with league video games now the precedence and here’s what I shall be watching.

Fulham – Liverpool
The Premier League
Sunday, December 13: 11:30am EST

Fulham has quietly been enjoying higher and after dropping its first six video games of the season, it’s out of the relegation zone (albeit by one level). On Sunday, it should welcome the reigning champions into Craven Cottage it what must be an uphill climb for London-based membership.

Antonee Robinson continues to be among the many higher gamers on Fulham and he put up good numbers in final weekend’s 2-0 loss to Manchester Metropolis. This shall be one other large check and alternative for the U.S. nationwide staff left again. Tim Ream will in all probability be on the bench for this one.

Borussia Dortmund – VfB Stuttgart
The Bundesliga
Saturday, December 12: 9:30am EST

Two of the breakout Individuals in Europe in very totally different capacities will face one another on Saturday when Borussia Dortmund hosts VfB Stuttgart. Gio Reyna, 18, made his first staff skilled debut early in 2020 and has grow to be the most effective youngsters in Germany throughout that span. In the meantime, New Jersey’s personal Pellegrino Matarazzo earned his first managerial job over the past winter break and guided Stuttgart to promotion. Now in his first season within the prime flight, he has VfB Stuttgart coasting inside the highest 10 of the league with a well-balanced assault.

This shall be an enormous problem for Matarazzo and his staff though Borussia Dortmund aren’t fairly the imposing opposition with Erling Haaland out injured. Dortmund comes into this sport on the heels of a tricky draw final weekend to Eintracht Frankfurt and a loss the weekend earlier than to Koln. Midweek, it wanted to rally to flee St. Petersburg with a 2-1 win over Zenit within the Champions League.

Stuttgart, in the meantime, is coming off a formidable 2-1 win over Werder Bremen final weekend within the Bundesliga. Each of those groups wish to assault and whereas Stuttgart doesn’t defend notably properly, it has a shot on this one towards a restricted Dortmund staff. For Reyna, he ought to have loads of area to work with to create probabilities.

Everton – Chelsea
The Premier League
Saturday, December 12: 3:00pm EST

Christian Pulisic continues to be being eased again into the combo for Chelsea after a tough stretch of accidents within the first half of the season. Final weekend, he got here off the bench for 60 minutes and scored the ultimate objective in a 3-1 win over Leeds. The truth that he was an unused sub within the Champions League draw with Krasnodar in all probability highlights his freshness to play on this sport.

Chelsea is surging within the Premier League and after 11 video games is simply two factors again of co-leaders Tottenham and Liverpool. After a torrid begin to the season, Everton has drifted again to actuality and has fallen into midtable with 17 factors from 11 video games.

Each Pulisic personally and Chelsea as a staff have all of the momentum heading into this sport – that bodes properly for the Hershey native.

RB Leipzig – Werder Bremen
The Bundesliga
Saturday, December 12: 9:30am EST

Two in style American gamers relationship again to the 2017 U-20 World Cup after they have been teammates will face one another on Saturday when Tyler Adams and RB Salzburg hosts Werder Bremen within the Bundesliga.

Leipzig is coming off a hard-fought 3-2 win over Manchester United on Wednesday to advance to the knockout phases of the Champions League. Tyler Adams performed solely the final quarter-hour of that sport so must be rested to begin this sport. Final weekend, he performed properly defensively in a wild 3-3 draw towards leaders Bayern Munich.

For Josh Sargent, he has only one objective on the season however has performed higher than that quantity suggests. One 12 months after narrowly escaping relegation, Werder performs a really ugly however scrappy model. That was efficient early within the season however the wheels are slowly coming off at it has misplaced its final two video games and is winless in 5 video games. In final weekend’s 2-1 loss to Stuttgart, Sargent noticed little or no of the ball in harmful positions.

Adams and Leipzig are closely favored on this sport however Sargent has performed properly towards good groups and his greatest outing was towards Bayern Munich. Werder might actually use an analogous outing from the St. Louis native on this one.

Salzburg – LASK
The Austrian Bundesliga
Sunday, December 13: 11:00am EST

Whereas specializing in the Champions League, Pink Bull Salzburg’s American supervisor Jesse Marsch was compelled into heavy squad rotation in Austrian Bundesliga video games. Because of this, it fell out of the lead within the home league and was overtaken final weekend by LASK. In its final 4 Austrian Bundesliga video games, Salzburg has only one win, a draw, and two losses. Final weekend, it dropped a 1-0 choice to Admira whereas LASK’s 3-0 win over Ried moved one level past Salzburg.

On Wednesday, Salzburg fell to Atletico Madrid 2-0 within the Champions League to complete third in its group. Whereas it didn’t advance to the knockouts, it certified for the knockouts of the Europa League in February.

However now’s an opportunity for Salzburg to reclaim first place within the Austrian Bundesliga and Marsch must be desirous to discipline his first-choice gamers on this one, regardless of it being on restricted relaxation from a grueling sport on Wednesday.

Genoa – Juventus
Serie A
Sunday, December 13, 12:00pm EST

There isn’t a American participant extra in-form in the intervening time than Weston McKennie who has scored in his final two video games for Juventus in large video games towards Turin-rivals Torino the place he ignited a 2-1 comeback win and towards Barcelona on the Nou Camp the place he joined in on a 3-0 rout with a spectacular objective. That’s past spectacular and McKennie is making a declare to be the most effective American participant of 2020 – after being the lone shiny spot for Schalke on the conclusion of 2019/20.

Weston McKennie’s objective on the Nou Camp towards Barca! pic.twitter.com/ncE0dN5pv9

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) December 8, 2020

This must be a giant alternative for Juventus to rack up three factors as Genoa sits in nineteenth place within the 20-team league and has only one win from its first 10 video games of the season. Will probably be enjoyable to see what McKennie ought to have the ability to do with Juventus anticipating to dominate its opponent.

SM Caen – Troyes
Ligue 2
Saturday, December 12: 9:00am EST

Nicholas Gioacchini, 20, has not scored for SM Caen since his MOTM efficiency for the U.S. staff towards Panama the place he buried two first half objectives. However throughout that three-game span, he has drawn two crucial penalties which have guarantee attracts for Caen.

Caen has stumbled a bit in latest weeks in Ligue 2 and has fallen into seventh place with 22 factors from 14 video games. The standings stay tight with simply two factors separating it from fourth place Auxerre which has 24 factors.

SM Caen could make a push however it should want a giant effort from Gioacchini and firm on Saturday when it hosts league leaders Troyes which has 27 factors from 13 video games and has 4 wins and attract its final 5. Gioacchini is among the many most fouled gamers in Ligue 2 and is impressing. 2021 may very well be a giant 12 months for him within the U.S. staff however promotion with Caen can be an enormous step as properly.

Barcelona – Levante
La Liga
Sunday, December 13: 3:00pm EST

It has been a tricky week in an lackluster season for Barcelona which was routed at residence by Juventus within the Champions League midweek (whereas nonetheless advancing to the knockouts) whereas dropping a 2-1 choice to Cadiz final weekend. It’s an ungainly interval for the historically world-dominant membership because it enters a transitional interval which can usher in a brand new core whereas step by step seeing the departures of a number of the sport’s most iconic gamers.

Sergino Dest, 20, has acquitted himself very properly, regardless of the struggles of the staff. The U.S. worldwide proper again has confirmed that he must be a part of the staff’s future. However what in regards to the staff’s current? It has simply 14 factors from 10 video games and has performed one or two fewer video games than most different groups within the league. The probabilities of it catching leaders Atletico Madrid are extraordinarily distant but it surely would possibly have the ability to climb within the weeks forward with out the distraction of Champions League video games.

Levante at house is a really beatable opponent because it has simply 11 factors from 11 video games. Whereas it posted a strong 3-0 win over Getafe final weekend, Barcelona at house is the heavy favorites on this one.

Dundee United – Rangers
The Scottish Premiership
Sunday, December 13: 7:00am EST

After incomes promotion final season, Dundee United has been up and down this season within the prime flight – which is okay because it sits midtable within the Scottish Premiership. Ian Harkes has sometimes began however come off the bench at occasions in central midfield to be an asset for the membership whereas fellow American midfielder Dillon Powers has been a gradual presence off the bench.

Rangers are working away with the Premiership in the intervening time so this shall be an enormous check for the 2 Individuals. Rangers has 14 wins, 2 attracts, and 0 losses in 16 video games. However with issue comes nice alternative and Hakes and Powers can have the prospect to step into the highlight of enjoying the most effective staff within the league.

Valencia – Athletic Membership
La Liga
Saturday, December 12: 8:00am EST

Will he play for the US or England sooner or later? Most likely Yunus Musah doesn’t even know proper now, however for now he performs for Valencia in Spain’s La Liga. The New York-born Musah has huge choices forward of him in 2021 and for now American followers are eagerly monitoring his progress.

Whereas stuffed with potential, Musah, 18, hasn’t been notably sharp the final two video games for Valencia however seemingly everybody on the membership hasn’t been nice not too long ago. However contemporary off a large extension that runs by 2026, Musah is a part of the membership’s future and he’ll hope to finish the staff’s present skid the place it has only one win from its final eight video games and has fallen to thirteenth place.

Musah prefers central midfield however has been enjoying huge proper over his 11 appearances for Valencia this season. Taking part in at residence on this sport, Athletic Membership is in 14th place and even on factors with Valencia (however has performed one fewer sport). This can be a winnable sport for Valencia and a loss right here might see it proceed its sluggish drift to the relegation line.

Brondby – Sonderjyske
The Danish Superliga
Sunday, December 13: 12:00pm

After struggling mightily in season in Germany with Schalke after which in Holland with VVV Venlo, Haji Wright has been terrific within the Danish Superliga this season the place he seven objectives in simply 568 minutes for Sonderjyske. Usually one of many smaller groups within the prime flight, Wright’s efforts have helped carry Sonderjyske into second place after 11 video games.

However this would be the hardest check for Wright this season as Brondby is usually one of many strongest golf equipment in Denmark is and is even with Sonderjyske on factors with Sonderjyske having the benefit solely on objective differential. Earlier within the season, Wright took groups abruptly however now he’s closely scouted as the point of interest of the staff’s offense.

Additionally with Wright, he has usually been out of the U.S. image since his days on the 2015 U.S. U-17 staff. He was minimize from the 2017 U.S. U-20 staff with out showing in significant camps, he has but to characteristic for the U.S. U-23 staff this cycle however maybe that can change if he performs properly heading into 2021.

Anderlecht – Genk
The Belgian Professional League
Friday, December 11: 2:45pm EST

Matt Miazga, 25, has performed properly since arriving on mortgage at Anderlecht in October though the membership has stumbled its upward climb these days with three attracts and a loss in its final 4 video games. The U.S. nationwide staff central defender from New Jersey should play properly on this one for Anderlecht to have an opportunity as Genk is at present atop the desk and is using a 5 sport profitable streak within the league and has scored 19 objectives in these 5 video games.

Anderlecht enters this sport in eighth place with 23 factors from 15 video games. It’s eight factors behind Genk heading into Friday’s sport.

Wolfsburg – Eintracht Frankfurt
The Bundesliga
Friday, December 11: 2:30pm EST

Each John Brooks and Wolfsburg have been in advantageous kind to begin the season. Coming into Friday, Wolfsburg and Bayer Leverkusen are the one two groups within the Bundesliga but to lose a sport. Whereas Wolfsburg’s run started with sturdy protection, in latest video games it has been the staff’s offense serving because the distinction maker with it having scored a number of objectives in every of the final 4 video games.

Wolfsburg had its hardest sport of the season final weekend in a 2-2 draw with Koln the place it wanted to rally for 2 equalizers to safe the draw.

After a powerful begin to the season, Eintrach Frankfurt has not gained in its final seven Bundesliga video games – though six of these seven video games have been attracts, together with its final 5. However Wolfsburg at present sits in fifth place and is undefeated. Taking part in at residence, a Wolfsburg win must be anticipated.

South America report

In 2020, a rising variety of American gamers started to play extra recurrently in South America and that ought to proceed this weekend.

In Argentina’s newly created Copa Diego Maradona, the Sonora brothers each have an opportunity to characteristic because the Championship Spherical begins with two teams of six groups.

In Group A, Hurcan and Independiete face off on Sunday evening (7:30pm EST). Alan Sonora is more likely to begin on this one for Independiente. The 22 12 months outdated midfielder who was born in New Jersey has begun beginning recurrently for the massive Argentine membership and scored his first profession objective final weekend. The youthful Sonora brother is but to characteristic for the US at any stage though would settle for a call-up.

In Group B, Joel Sonora has largely been a bench possibility for Talleres de Cordoba and on Saturday evening (7:30pm EST) Talleres will go to San Lorenzo. The 2015 U.S. U-20 World Cup veteran loved the most effective moments of his profession in November when he scored the profitable objective towards Boca Juniors within the match’s first stage.

In Brazil, U.S. nationwide staff central midfielder Johnny Cardoso, 19, is hoping to return from his ankle harm in time for Internacional’s matchup towards Botafogo on Saturday (5:00pm EST). Internacional is winless in its final seven video games in Brazil’s prime flight however Botafogo is winless in seven video games and has misplaced its final 5. If Internacional loses this sport, alarm bells will ring in Porta Allegre.

In Ecuador’s prime flight, staff captain Michael Hoyos and third place Guayaquil Metropolis host Independiente Valle on Sunday.

Elsewhere in Europe

DeAndre Yedlin will hope to make the bench once more for Newcastle United when it hosts West Bromwich Albion on Saturday

U.S. nationwide staff goalkeeper Zack Steffen will certainly be the backup for Manchester Metropolis when it travels throughout town for a derby matchup towards Manchester United on Saturday.

Within the Championship on Saturday, Cameron Carter-Vickers continues to be probably out injured for AFC Bournemouth when it hosts Huddersfield. Duane Holmes will probably begin for Derby County when it hosts Stoke Metropolis. Crew captain Geoff Cameron and U.S. U-20 ahead Charlie Kelman host Studying on Saturday. Matthew Olosunde and Rotherham United host Bristol Metropolis.

In League One on Saturday, Lynden Gooch continues to be in all probability out injured for Sunderland when it visits Lincoln Metropolis. U.S. U-20 attacker Indiana Vassilev will hope to make the bench for Burton Albion because it visits Milton Keynes Dons.

Within the Bundesliga, Chris Richards will in all probability be on the bench for Bayern Munich when it visits Union Berlin on Saturday. U.S. U-20 ahead Matthew Hoppe will search for his third straight look for last-place Schalke in a go to to Augsburg on Sunday.

Within the 2.Bundesliga, Julian Inexperienced and Greuther Furth go to Sandhausen Friday. Bobby Wooden and Hamburg go to Darmstadt on Saturday. Jan George and Jahn Regensburg host Holstein Kiel on Saturday. Kevin Lankford, Leon Flach, and St. Pauli host Erzgebirge Aue on Sunday. Alfred Morales and Fortuna Dusseldorf go to Karlsruher on Sunday.

Within the 3.Liga, pink scorching Terrence Boyd and Hallescher host Dynamo Dresden on Saturday. Head coach Joe Enochs and his FSV Zwickau staff had their sport towards Ingolstadt postponed.

In Italy’s Serie B, Andrija Novakovich will look to construct off his two-goal efficiency for fifth-place Frosinone after they go to third-place Lecce on Saturday. In the meantime, Giuseppe Barone has been an unused sub for first place Salernitana not too long ago however will hope to make his professional debut on Saturday in a go to to Brescia.

In Spain’s Segunda, Shaq Moore and Tenerife go to Actual Oviedo on Friday.

After scoring midweek for Lille within the Europa League towards Celtic (in a meaningless sport for each groups), Tim Weah will hope to earn significant Ligue 1 minutes towards Bordeaux on Sunday.

In Ligue 2, U.S. U-20 eligible Patrick Koffi will hope to return to the bench for Paris FC when it hosts Rodez on Saturday.

Within the Eredivisie, Luca de la Torre will begin for Heracles when it hosts Fortuna Sittard on Friday. Desevio Payne continues to be out of motion for Emmen which hosts ADO de Haag on Saturday. Uly Llanez and Heerenveen go to Vitesse on Sunday.

Within the Dutch second tier, Sebastian Soto might be nonetheless out for Telstar for its sport on Friday towards Almere Metropolis having performed for the U.S. staff on Wednesday in Florida.

In Turkey’s prime flight, Erik Lichaj and Fatih Karagumruk go to Hatayspor on Saturday. Tyler Boyd continues to be unregistered for Besiktas which visits Alanyaspor on Sunday.

Within the Portuguese Cup, U.S. nationwide staff proper again Reggie Cannon and Boavista go to Estoril on Saturday.

In Scotland, U.S. U-20 winger Cam Harper will hope to match the bench for Celtic when it visits Kilmarnock on Sunday.

In Belgium, Brenden Hines Ike and Kortrijk host OH Leuven on Saturday. Chris Durkin and St. Truiden host Sporting Charleroi on Saturday. Backup goalkeeper Ethan Horvath and Membership Brugge Go to Antwerp on Sunday. Joe Efford and Waasland Beveren go to Mechelen on Sunday.

In Belgium, backup goalkeeper Michael Lansing and AC Horsens host AGF Aarhus on Sunday within the Danish Superliga. Additionally within the Superliga, Emmanue Sabbi and OB host leaders Midtjylland on Monday.

In Austria’s Bundesliga, Erik Palmer-Brown and Austria Vienna go to Wolfsberger on Sunday.

In Norway’s prime flight, Henry Wingo and Molde go to Rosenborg on Sunday.

In Switzerland’s Superliga, Jordan Siebatcheu and BSC Younger Boys host Servette on Sunday.

In Poland’s prime flight, Kenny Saief and Lechia Gdansk host Wilsa Plock on Monday.

In Greece’s Tremendous League, 2015 U.S. U-23 attacker Gboly Ariyibi and Panaitolikos go to Volos NFC on Sunday.