ASN: Dike injured once more, whereas Sargent, Pepi, Sales space, Wright, & Maloney all rating in busy weekend

ASN’s Brian Sciaretta walks you thru the final 4 days of video games and information concerning People overseas. There was a number of good, some not so good, and only a horiffic bit of reports about Daryl Dike. 

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
February 12, 2024
5:10 PM

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THE WEEKEND FOR AMERICANS overseas noticed a whole lot of purpose scoring among the many ahead contingent however sadly, most of it was overshadowed by an unlucky and unhappy damage to Daryl Dike that places his profession in a really tough spot.

There was, after all, a whole lot of success from American forwards all through Europe. Haji Wright scored twice, Josh Sargent scored, Andrija Novakovich scored, Charlie Kelman scored, winger Taylor Sales space scored twice and now has 5 targets in his final two video games.

Dike, 23, was injured within the second half of West Bromwich’s 2-2 draw with Ipswich City. Dike missed the second half of final season and the primary half of this season with a torn proper Achilles. He was nonetheless working his method again to full power and he got here on within the 56th minute of this recreation. Lower than 10 minutes later, he needed to go away and it was later to be confirmed as his different Achilles, the left facet.  

There are actually no phrases to speak about how unlucky that is. Dike is a very fashionable and charismatic participant who was very fashionable along with his teammates and followers. As for what’s subsequent, who is aware of? Is that this unhealthy luck or one thing associated to his physique? Once more, we don’t have the solutions past simply wishing and hoping for the most effective.

Cardoso continues Betis rise

Johnny Cardoso has continued to hit the bottom operating since his arrival at Actual Betis. On Friday, he had his finest recreation since arriving in a 2-0 away win over Cadiz. In simply the fifth minute, he compelled a giant turnover and promptly assisted Willian Jose for the opening purpose.

— LALIGA (@LaLiga) February 10, 2024

Cardoso, 21, completed 38/39 in passing (finishing all 4 lengthy balls) and was 6/8 in his floor duels. Total, he was an enormous presence in central midfield.

The expectations can be elevated for him when he joins the USMNT camp in March. It’s been a very long time now since Tyler Adams has been with the group and Cardoso ought to be capable to begin making his personal method and never as a distant again up.

Sales space stays purple scorching
 

It’s powerful to search out one other American participant as in-form as Taylor Sales space who scored two targets for Utrecht in a 4-0 win over Fortuna Sittard on Sunday. This comes on the heels of his hat trick final weekend in a 4-2 win over Volendam. At this fee, he can be pushing for an additional Eredivisie Participant of the Month (he gained one in November 2022).

After a horrible begin to the season, Utrect have begun to climb and at the moment are ninth within the Eredivisie and Sales space is enjoying a giant a part of that.

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???? ???????????????????????? ????????????????????, women and gents. #utrfor pic.twitter.com/OwAhWODMsJ

— FC Utrecht (@fcutrecht) February 12, 2024

Sales space had been cool for a lot of the early components of the season and Utrecht had been keen to hearken to affords for him in January. Then the query is what occurs to him in the summertime? Does Utrecht need to now maintain him or promote him for extra?

Internationally, we even have the talk over what occurs to Sales space within the short-term future? Does he be part of the USMNT for March after which the summer season as a backup? Or does he focus with the Olympic group the place he seemingly is a starter? These are powerful questions, however my guess is the Olympic group.

Maloney scores in Heidenheim win
 

Rely me amongst those that are shocked about Heidenheim’s success this season. I figured they had been going to be straightforward picks for relegation. However now in mid-February following Saturday’s 2-1 away win over Werder Bremen, they’re sitting in ninth place whereas are simply 5 factors out of Europe.

Lennard Maloney, 23, might need had his finest recreation of the season as he continues to begin each recreation for the membership. As a really deep-lying defensive midfielder, Maloney solely not often will get to contribute offensively. However on this recreation, he opened the scoring when he headed house a nook kick for his first Bundesliga purpose.  

Heidenheim is a good story and it’s a tremendous expertise for Maloney to be a part of it. There’ll all the time be questions on whether or not or not Maloney’s position will translate over to the USMNT or another group. It’s a distinctive place. However for now, he’s serving to his group defy all expectations.

Sargent retains up scoring fee
 

Josh Sargent, 23, is in the most effective type of his profession this season regardless of having missed almost 4 months from late August by December. On Saturday, Sargent scored for Norwich in what was total a disappointing 2-2 away draw for the Canaries towards Queens Park Rangers.

With the purpose, Sargent now has seven targets in simply 672 minutes of motion. He has three targets in his final 4 video games. Final season, he scored 13 targets however performed 3162 minutes.

One other recreation, one other purpose from Sarge ???? pic.twitter.com/7VmFGEQSC2

— Norwich Metropolis FC (@NorwichCityFC) February 10, 2024

However the draw was powerful for Norwich as QPR is without doubt one of the worst groups within the Championship (though they’re bettering) and a win would have out Norwich even on factors for sixth place. Within the race for promotion, this could have been a win for Norwich as Sargent’s purpose within the 67th minute put them up 2-1.

David Wagner’s Norwich group returns to the sector on Tuesday towards Watford.

On one other observe, Reggie Cannon went the total 90 for QPR and he has been an asset to the group that’s nearing a climb out of the relegation zone. They’re simply two factors away from security however are trending upward.

Wright hits double digits
 

Within the second half of Sunday’s recreation, Coventry was in bother – trailing Millwall 1-0 at house. However then Haji Wright occurred. The American ahead drew a penalty within the sixty fifth minute. Then within the 66th minute, he transformed the penalty to equalize the sport at 1-1. Within the seventieth minute, he scored a second on a counterattack for the successful purpose of a 2-1 victory.

Beginning his Tremendous Bowl Sunday in model. ???????? pic.twitter.com/46vQFEJWV3

— Coventry Metropolis (@Coventry_City) February 11, 2024

Wright doesn’t want a whole lot of touches to be harmful. He’s now enjoying a hybrid winger who additionally strikes centrally. He had solely 25 touches on this recreation over a full 90 minutes however 11 of them had been within the Millwall field. He additionally had seven pictures. He was simply 8/11 in passing. He additionally hit the crossbar as soon as on this recreation too.

He’s a pure purpose scorer proper now. He’s not an incredible playmaker and doesn’t attempt to be one. He simply has an efficient nostril for the purpose. He now has 10 targets on the season within the Championship plus one other within the FA Cup.

Rock was the play. Properly carried out, Haj. ????

— Coventry Metropolis (@Coventry_City) February 11, 2024

For the U.S. nationwide group, there may be a whole lot of competitors and he’s in all probability behind Balogun, Pepi, and even Sargent. The query is him pulling forward of Vazquez, Ferreira, and Pefok. That seems seemingly.

Pepi scores in PSV rout

As anticipated, PSV smashed Volendam on Sunday to the tune of a 5-1 away victory. PSV has a ten level lead atop the desk proper now and is but to lose. Volendam is even on factors (12) for final place and is cruising in direction of relegation. With the loss, Volendam has conceded an Eredivisie-worst 52 targets in 21 video games.

Sergino Dest began and performed 77 minutes towards the overmatched opponent and was excellent. Malik Tillman and Ricardo Pepi each got here into the sport within the 77th minute to mark returns from slight accidents. Each had been excellent off the bench and Tillman went 19/20 in passing whereas additionally enjoying sharp defensively.

Pepi scored PSV’s fourth purpose and for him, it was his fifth purpose within the Eredivisie in simply 229 minutes. He additionally has two Champions League targets in simply 156 minutes. His scoring ratio is terrific albeit usually towards overmatched groups late in video games. He’s understandably behind Luuk de Jong, however the query is whether or not PSV has confidence in him to interchange de Jong down the street?

1.97 – Ricardo Pepi’s 1.97 targets per 90 minutes within the Eredivisie is the most effective fee of any participant to seem in 10 or extra matches within the high 10 European Leagues this season. Specific. pic.twitter.com/HtLr94Wsih

— OptaJack?? (@OptaJack) February 11, 2024

Afterward, Pepi earned the reward from Peter Bosz.

This man ?????#VOLPSV pic.twitter.com/0QbJEtmoiE

— PSV (@PSV) February 11, 2024

Zach Sales space began and performed 90 minutes for Volendam. He had 20 touches, three pictures, and compelled two saves.

Yanks in England
 

In England, Fulham defeated Bournemouth 3-1 behind two robust video games behind Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson, who every went a full 90. Robinson put in one other gut-busting efficiency the place he bought ahead successfully and tracked again to defend properly. Robinson gained all 4 of his floor duels and was 6/8 in aerials.

Again to successful methods ???????? Due to everybody for the assist ???? pic.twitter.com/Hg8mgFyphH

— Antonee Robinson (@Antonee_Jedi) February 10, 2024

Nottingham Forest is in relegation bother and is simply two factors clear however is just one level forward of Luton City. Everton is within the relegation zone, for now, however ought to move each Forest and Luton City. Saturday’s 3-2 loss at house to Newcastle was one other huge setback. Gio Reyna got here into the sport within the 73rd minute for Forest and was sharp however couldn’t assist them discover an equalizer. Nonetheless, he can have a giant position forward. Matt Turner watched from the bench as Matz Sels wasn’t any good on this recreation as goalkeeping is a big downside for Forest.

On Monday, Crystal Palace fell at house 3-1 in a London derby loss to Chelsea. Chris Richards returned to his extra regular central protection place and wasn’t at fault for any of the targets. He was in all probability the most effective Palace defender on the day, however that wasn’t saying a lot both.

Auston Trusty returned to the bench for Sheffield United after a tricky outing final weekend. This time he watched from the bench as his group posted a giant 3-1 win away towards Luton City. This consequence may have him on the bench for a bit.

Within the Championship, Stoke Metropolis misplaced their fourth recreation in a row in a 3-1 defeat to Blackburn Rovers. Lynden Gooch went 60 minutes at proper again for Stoke.

Ethan Horvath was on the bench for Cardiff Metropolis in a 2-0 loss at house to Preston North Finish. Horvath ought to make his membership debut quickly. Duane Holmes was not within the lineup for PNE.

It wasn’t the consequence we had been looking for yesterday, nevertheless it was sensible to see Charlie Kelman get off the mark in Latics colors on his house debut! ????#wafc ?????? pic.twitter.com/Ik1ynaAYre

— Wigan Athletic (@LaticsOfficial) February 11, 2024

In League One, U.S. U-23 eligible Charlie Kelman scored for Wigan in an in any other case unhealthy 3-1 loss at house to Exeter Metropolis. Kelman just lately joined Wigan on mortgage from QPR.

Yanks in Germany
 

Union Berlin defeated Wolfsburg 1-0 to maneuver six factors away from the relegation playoff place of the Bundesliga. Brenden Aaronson got here into the sport within the thirty first minute however solely had 19 touches and was 4/7 in passing.

Kevin Paredes began within the loss after two strong outings however on this recreation, he wasn’t capable of do a lot over his 71 minutes. Fan protests towards the DFL delayed the sport 21 minutes within the first half as supporters threw tennis balls onto the sector.

Jordan Pefok was injured deep into first half stoppage time as Borussia Monchengladbach and Darmstadt performed to a 0-0 draw. The American ahead was subbed out earlier than halftime holding his thigh. Joe Scally was on the bench however entered within the 72nd minute of a boring recreation.

45+15′ Es geht nicht weiter. Gute Besserung, Großer! ???? Lasso kommt für #Jordan.#DieFohlen #BMGSVD 0:0 https://t.co/9bOGUjhhoH pic.twitter.com/DWIwUtKRuE

— Borussia (@borussia) February 10, 2024

On Sunday, John Brooks didn’t function for Pellegrino Matarazzo’s Hoffenheim in a 1-1 draw with Cologne.

Within the 2.Bundesliga, leaders St. Pauli beneath Houston-born supervisor Fabian Hurzeler had been upset by Magdeburg 1-0.

Eintracht Braunschweig gained for the fifth time in six video games to surge away from the relegation zone following a 2-0 win over Karlsruhe. Johan Gomez began for Eintracht and performed 59 minutes.

Gruether Furth dropped their second in a row with a 2-1 loss at house to Hertha BSC to fall to fourth place. Julian Inexperienced and U.S. U-23 central defender Maximillian Dietz each performed 90 minutes within the loss.

Yanks in Italy
 

AC Milan got here up with a giant 1-0 win over Napoli on Sunday. That win mixed with the Juventus loss has Milan only one level behind Juve for second place as Inter Milan are pulling away simply. Christian Pulisic began and performed 81 minutes whereas Yunus Musah got here into the sport within the sixty fifth minute. Theo Hernandez scored the sport’s solely purpose within the twenty fifth.

Over the previous month, Pulisic has been noticeably beneath his excessive customary. It’s not an enormous trigger for concern and he’s working onerous defensively. However he would possibly discover himself on the bench initially of video games till he picks up his manufacturing. Musah too appears to be a bit off currently, regardless of Milan successful.

Juventus misplaced its second recreation in a row on Monday once they fell at house 1-0 to Udinese. Weston McKennie and Tim Weah each began and, together with the remainder of their teammates, had a recreation to neglect. Tactically, the group was a large number and was not capable of finding a strategy to assault successfully. It wasn’t the most effective use of both of their abilities. McKennie wasn’t shifting the purpose of assault with nice lengthy passing. Weah wasn’t getting ahead sufficient earlier than he was subbed out within the 61st, solely to see McKennie shift to the appropriate wingback position. Juventus now could be nearly caught in second place by Milan.

In Serie B, Nicholas Gioacchini made his debut for Como when he performed the final 10 minutes of their win over Brescia. Como is in third place, solely out of second (automated promotion) on purpose differential. Gioacchini had a superb shift in his restricted time.  

Palermo remained in fifth place after a 2-1 away win over FeralpiSalo. Kristoffer Lund placed on a gradual and strong 86-minute shift at left again. The Danish born Lund has been constant since becoming a member of the membership.

Venezia nonetheless sits in fourth place, only one level behind the second and third place groups, following a strong 3-0 away win over Sudtirol. Gianluca Busio went 86 spectacular minutes within the win and left with the rating 2-0. Tanner Tessmann was suspended for this recreation. Busio has been one of many higher surprises amongst People overseas following a tricky time final season. Each him and Tessmann look seemingly for the Olympics.  

Andrija Novakovich went 90 minutes and scored however he couldn’t assist cease Lecco’s six recreation shedding skid which has them now in final place in Serie B. His second half purpose was only a comfort in a 3-1 loss away to Bari.

Yanks in Spain
 

Luca de al Torre went the gap for Celta Vigo on Saturday in a 3-2 loss to Getafe. After equalizing the sport at 2-2 within the 86th, Celta conceded a late purpose within the 89th to lose.  Whereas de la Torre has been on hearth the previous two months, this was a little bit of a step again for him. Celta are simply three factors away from the relegation zone.

Within the Segunda, midtable Mirandes misplaced to FC Cartagena 1-0 on Sunday. Jonathan Gomez performed properly at left again for Mirandes regardless of the loss. The previous Louisville standout is seeking to climb the pecking order at left again for the U.S. U-23 Olympic group.

Konrad de la Fuente didn’t play for Eibar in a 1-0 win over Actual Zaragoza.

Yanks in France
 

In Ligue 1, Emmanuel Sabbi began and performed 65 minutes for Le Havre in a 1-0 loss at house to Rennes on Sunday. Sabbi had two pictures (one blocked, the opposite missed) and 21 touches on this recreation.

Folarin Balogun has not been at his finest the previous two months and consequently was on the bench on Sunday for Monaco which defeated Good 3-2 on the street. Balogun performed the ultimate 10 minutes however got here on after all of the scoring was accomplished.

Yanks within the Eredivisie
 

Paxten Aaronson made his Eredivisie debut after becoming a member of Vitesse on mortgage from Eintracht Frankfurt on the finish of January. It was solely this previous week when his work allow was authorized. Aaronson, 20, went the total 90 in a 3-2 away loss to Heracles and Vitesse remained in final place. Vitesse wants Aaronson to get used to his new group rapidly for them to have an opportunity to outlive.

Debut incoming ????#herVIT pic.twitter.com/Lm7iqbGbiu

— Vitesse (@MijnVitesse) February 10, 2024

Anthony Fontana was unused for PEC Zwolle in a 1-1 away draw with Go Forward Eagles.

Yanks in Belgium
 

St. Truiden rose to eighth place after Friday’s 1-0 win over lowly Kortrijk on Friday. Kahveh Zahiroleslam performed 79 minutes at ahead for St. Truiden however was quiet, in contrast to a lot of his different current video games.

Normal Liege moved away from the relegation playoff positions on Saturday with a 1-0 win over OH Leuven. Marlon Fossey performed 78 minutes at proper wingback within the win. It was a good shift for the LA born Fossey within the win.

Westerlo performed to a powerful 2-2 away draw with leaders Union SG. Bryan Reynolds performed all 90 minutes at proper again whereas Griffin Yow performed 83 minutes. Yow was 5/8 in his dribbles the place he was all the time seeking to assault. He additionally gained 10/19 of his floor duels in a busy outing. Reynolds, in the meantime, had 94 touches, was 5/7 in tackles and seven/9 in floor duels. He additionally had 14 passes into the ultimate third which was nearly half (30) of his whole accomplished passes within the recreation.

Gaga Slonina solely made two saves as Eupen had been clobbered 4-0 by Membership Brugge. Eupen is second from the underside and solely three factors above final place Kortrijk.

Genk shouldn’t be having a superb season and is failing to win video games it ought to. Sunday was yet one more instance in a 1-1 draw with Mechelen. Mark McKenzie went 90 minutes within the backline for Genk and made eight clearances on the day. He has had a fairly good season however Genk is definitely disenchanted with its seventh place standing and its lackluster performances in Europe earlier within the yr.

Yanks in Mexico
 

Ventura Alvarado began for Mazatlan in a 2-0 win over Atlas however was subbed out within the first half on account of an damage.

Joe Corona was an unused substitute for Membership Tijuana in a 1-1 draw with Queretaro.

Fernando Arce Jr. went 90 minutes for Necaxa in a wild 3-3 draw with Toluca. Arce gained all seven of his floor duels and drew 4 fouls in a tricky recreation by which Necaxa discovered an 89th minute winner.

Chivas defeated Juarez 2-1 on Saturday with Cade Cowell coming into the sport within the 63rd minute for Chivas. Cowell got here into the sport with Chivas up 1-0 and was lively, even when he didn’t get onto the scoresheet. Sebastian Saucedo, in the meantime, was unused for Juarez.

Membership America defeated Leon 1-0 on the street on Sunday. Alejandro Zendejas went 63 minutes within the win however left with the rating 0-0. His substitute transformed the successful penalty in stoppage time.

Brandon Vazquez didn’t function for Monterrey in a 3-2 win over Pachuca.

Yanks Elsewhere
 

In Croatia, Rokas Pukstas performed your entire recreation in midfield for Hajduk Break up in a 4-0 win over Slaven Koprivnica. The U.S. Olympic hopeful drew 5 fouls, had two pictures, was 9/11 in floor duels, and three/3 in tackles in a strong efficiency as Hajduk remained in second place.

In Hungary’s NB I, Henry Wingo performed the second half in protection for Ferencvaros in a 2-1 away win over Debrecen. Ferencvaros is only one level behind leaders Paks.

Within the Austrian Bundesliga, LASK and Austria Klagenfurt drew 2-2. Sebastian Soto began and performed 71 minutes for fifth place Klagenfurt whereas George Bello went the total 90 at left again for third place LASK.