ASN: Reyna, Zendejas, Richards, & Mihailovic stand out amongst Yanks in Europe

ASN’s Brian Sciaretta walks you thru the weekend for People overseas as he does each Monday with Gio Reyna, Alejandro Zendejas, Chris Richards, and Josh Sargent main the best way. 

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
January 23, 2023
7:45 AM

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Positive, accidents have quieted a number of the greatest headline grabbers.

Christian Pulisic continues to be a properly over a month from returning to Chelsea, though perhaps somebody takes him regardless of his damage. In line with CalcioMercato, AC Milan has made inquiries to Chelsea about Pulisic. Whether or not or not this materializes into something vital is one other matter, however it there may be sufficient chatter about Pulisic and sufficient adjustments at Chelsea the place it will be shocking if he’s again subsequent 12 months. However along with his Champions League expertise, he’ll go to a giant membership.

Haji Wright additionally stays out with a again damage, regardless of rumors floating about his potential sale – with Southampton being the most recent membership talked about, after Atalanta and Crystal Palace. 

Cameron Carter-Vickers missed out on Celtic’s comfy 5-0 Scottish Cup win over Greenock Norton however the membership acknowledged it was merely precautionary.

In the meantime, Fulham, Boavista, and Valencia each play on Monday, leaving Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson, Reggie Cannon, and Yunus Musah out of right now’s report. We’ll choose up their video games in Tuesday morning’s Morning Replace.

Right here’s an entire breakdown of the weekend for Americas overseas beginning with the highest tales.

Zendejas stands out earlier than USMNT arrival
 

Alejandro Zendejas, 24, is among the most fun inclusions within the U.S. nationwide group’s January camp roster. Everybody, together with me, thought he switched to Mexico after enjoying for the U.S. U-17 World Cup group in 2015 after which enjoying for Mexico’s full group in friendlies. This was not the case and Mexico was fined for utilizing an ineligible participant. Now he’s returning to the U.S. set-up even when he’s solely launched by Membership America for the Serbia sport (not the Colombia sport).

U.S. nationwide group followers needs to be excited. On Saturday, Zendejas confirmed precisely why he may very well be such a giant addition – nothing a aim and an help (each of top quality) in a 2-2 draw with Puebla on the Azteca.

The help within the thirty ninth minute:

Zendejas help for Membership America #USMNT pic.twitter.com/gLGtJRM45T

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) January 22, 2023

And his aim within the 63rd minute:

— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) January 22, 2023

He almost added one other aim (which might have been the spotlight of the weekend) however was denied by the submit.

— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) January 22, 2023

Don’t be shocked if Zendejas continues to impress for Membership America and takes an even bigger position with the U.S. nationwide group transferring ahead as a key possibility off the bench.

Reyna scores stunner
 USMNT twitter grew to become ablaze on Sunday when Gio Reyna got here off the bench for Borussia Dortmund within the seventieth minute with Borussia Dortmund forward of Augsburg  3-2. After a 76th minute equalizer, Reyna scored the successful aim on a stupendous shot within the 78th minute.

For Reyna, 20, it was his third aim of the season in simply 386 minutes.

As you possibly can think about, with all of the speak about the complete Reyna/Berhalter matter it made for dramatic posts on social media. Nothing of it means something. Reyna continues to be not beginning for Dortmund, he nonetheless didn’t act appropriately in Qatar, and his dad and mom conduct is being investigated. However, he’s nonetheless an impressive expertise. 

Finally Borussia Dortmund will wish to promote him, however that turns into onerous till he performs usually for an extended time period. The U.S. nationwide group will finally deliver him again into the group however, no matter who the coach is, it is going to be a fragile matter.

Michel continues sturdy Arouca begin
 

Initially of January, Benji Michel, 25, moved to Arouca on a free switch after his contract with Orlando Metropolis was not prolonged. He then signed a deal via 2025 with Arouca in Portugal’s top-flight.

Up to now, the primary two video games have gone very properly for the Orlando native. Final weekend, he got here off the bench within the 67th minute with Arouca trailing Chaves 1-0. Within the 78th minute, he drew a penalty which was transformed by his teammate for a 1-1 draw.

Then on Friday in opposition to Portimonense, he got here off the bench within the 74th minute and scored the group’s remaining aim within the 78th minute for a 4-0 win.

Former Orlando Metropolis attacker Benji Michel off to an important begin with Arouca in Portugal- final week he performed 23 minutes in his debut & drew an equalizing penalty – right now he got here off the bench within the 74th, scoring remaining aim of a 4-0 win over Portimonense pic.twitter.com/jvciFXZAOG

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) January 20, 2023

Whereas he has performed for the U.S. U-23 group in a failed Olympic qualifying marketing campaign in 2021, he stays eligible for Haiti and that may grow to be an possibility he considers significantly within the months and 12 months forward. 

Mendez scores vs. Sporting
 

Alex Mendez, 22, had a really good second on Friday – albeit quick lived. On Friday, he was subbed into Vizela’s sport away at fourth place Sporting CP (who’re Portugal’s defending champion) within the 68th minute.

Within the seventy fifth minute, Mendez scored his first aim of the season. Surprisingly, it was not along with his left foot, however reasonably along with his head. The well-maneuvered header gave Vizela a shocking equalizer.

Alex Mendez coming off the bench and scoring for Vizela in opposition to Sporting. With Michel & Medez discovering the web right now, it’s been a great day for Yanks in Portugal pic.twitter.com/MQDZpq3th1

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) January 20, 2023

Sadly, Sporting discovered a stoppage-time winner through a penalty for a 2-1 victory and Vizela fell to eighth place.

The aim ought to put Mendez again right into a place the place he returns to Vizela’s beginning lineup (he has began 9 of Vizela’s 17 video games up to now this season and has made one other six off the bench). He’s performed properly though he now has simply 1 aim and 0 assists on the season.

He has the power to finally get a U.S. call-up though central midfield is hard with Alan Sonora, Djordje Mihailovic, Eryk Williamson, and Paxton Pomykal all making instances and the U.S. U-20 group seemingly sending extra prospects within the years forward.

Mihailovic impresses off bench
 

Djordje Mihailovic, 24, made a really constructive impression off the bench for AZ Alkmaar on Sunday when an damage to Dani de Wit within the thirty fourth minute gave Mihailovic an prolonged run.

Whereas the previous Chicago Hearth and Montreal standout didn’t rating or help, he was top-of-the-line gamers on the sphere from when he entered (with the rating 1-1) till the top of the sport. AZ Alkmaar ended up posting a 3-1 win.

Djordje Mihailovic: uncooked # for AZ in 3-1 win over Fortuna Sittard56 mins17/21 passing3 probabilities created (led all gamers)1 shot35 touches6/6 tackles7/9 floor duels

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) January 22, 2023

Mihailovic now has the door open with the damage to de Wit however these might be large footwear to fill as de Wit is definitely considered one of AZ’s greatest gamers. AZ clearly desires to get Mihailovic concerned however even earlier than the American arrived, AZ was surpassing expectations and it was powerful to make a change. With this win over Fortuna, AZ sit second within the Eredivisie – trailing leaders Feyenoord by simply two factors.

However Mihailovic now has the possibility to point out what he can do in the course of an Eredivisie title race. That may be a large alternative that few anticipated. The subsequent step may very well be in opposition to Go Forward Eagales on Wednesday.

As for the nationwide group, Mihailovic looks as if a great wager to be concerned once more in 2023.

Sargent sturdy underneath Wagner
 Former U.S. nationwide group ahead David Wagner has Norwich again on observe after his first two video games in cost. After Saturday’s 4-2 away win over Coventry, Norwich has scored eight targets in two video games underneath Wagner. Present U.S. nationwide group ahead Josh Sargent opened his account underneath Wagner, scoring the group’s third aim within the win and his tenth Championship aim this season.

His contact map exhibits that Sargent is enjoying a job that’s definitely not as a winger – the place he had been enjoying underneath Dean Smith. As a substitute, he has extra of a free-raging position that enables him to work extra with main scorer Teemu Pukki, who can be enjoying very properly underneath Wagner.

Josh Sargent performed 72 minutes and scored Norwich’s third aim in a 4-2 away win over Coventry. The group’s offense is off to an important begin underneath Wagner. Sargent isn’t on the wings now. Be covers much more floor underneath Wagner. Take a look at his contact map right now #USMNT 1/2 pic.twitter.com/4tWx9x6xkA

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) January 21, 2023

Sargent is now discovering extra success at Norwich in doing what he does greatest. Whereas he’s not the principle No. 9, he’s additionally not a winger and is having a big effect. He has scored simply considered one of Norwich’s eight targets underneath Wagner, however he’s serving to to make the group’s general assault higher.

Paredes assists in gorgeous win
 

On Saturday, the Bundesliga resumed with a high quality matchup when sixth-place Wolfsburg hosted second-place Freiburg. Most anticipated a great sport, few anticipated Wolfsburg to run away with a 6-0 win. However that’s what occurred.

U.S. U-20 winger Kevin Paredes got here into the sport within the 68th minute with the rating 4-0 and assisted on Bote Baku’s aim within the eightieth minute for a 5-0 lead. It was the primary Bundesliga help for Paredes since his 2021 switch from DC United.

Paredes appeared stable enjoying on the left wing. Along with the help, he was feisty in protection and in 50-50 challenges. It’s powerful to say on the day that he made a case to begin as a result of Wolfsburg’s beginning XI was excellent and Freiburg’s protection had given-up by the eightieth minute. However Paredes will proceed to get regular minutes.

Richards continues sturdy run
 

After standing out in a shock begin for Crystal Palace in a 1-1 draw final week in opposition to Manchester United, Chris Richards continued to benefit from his alternative by incomes the beginning on Saturday in opposition to Newcastle United. Richards, 22, noticed the door open to him after an damage to Joachim Andersen.

The Alabama native has made the a lot of the alternative along with his second sturdy efficiency within the Premier League with a 0-0 draw vs. Newcastle. Whereas he wasn’t on the ball a lot, his defensive positioning was sensible and he dealt with every part that got here his approach.

The query now turns into what occurs when all of the central defenders can be found? The membership received’t play once more till February 4 and Andersen will return. Patrick Viera has a call. Does he keep on with Richards or does he return to the traditional beginning XI?

Richards has completed glorious work to power Viera into a tricky determination. He might be with the nationwide group once more quickly sufficient. However for each Palace and the nationwide group, the problem is about him staying wholesome. That value him a visit to Qatar, and it pressured him out of most of 2022.

Can he keep wholesome for an extended stretch to permit his sport to rise?

McKennie begins however Juve docked
 

On Friday, Juventus have been  docked 15 factors by the Italian Soccer Affiliation after being discovered responsible of manipulating the switch market. The deduction moved them into ninth place, 11 factors out of Europe and 14 factors out of the Champions League. The decision additionally resulted in 11 present and/or former Juventus administrators being banned or suspended.

Now, Juventus should regroup and concentrate on getting via the season with European soccer subsequent season a distant dream.

This began on Sunday with a 3-3 draw with Atalanta. Weston McKennie as soon as once more performed 90 minutes and he continued to remain on the best facet of the midfield which isn’t his most popular place. He performed properly and he continued to point out he’s a flexible participant. But it surely’s been a tricky week for McKennie realizing he’s not going to be in Europe subsequent season and he’s not in his most popular place.

The longer McKennie stays at proper midfield, the extra it seemingly means Juventus might be keen to promote him. Taking part in him in his second place signifies that he’s proficient, however it additionally means he’s seemingly replaceable. For now, Juventus has larger issues however when the mud settles, they may in all probability make strikes to construct the group into competition once more. 

Leeds performs Brentford to a draw
 

Jesse Marsch and Leeds United performed Brentford to a 0-0 draw on Sunday. Whereas the end result was disappointing, the draw was a powerful defensive effort from a Leeds group that struggles at occasions on that facet of the ball.

We confirmed a variety of confidence as people and as a group yesterday and whereas we at all times need a win, the efficiency was good and we’re transferring in the best course.

Full concentrate on our subsequent match within the FA Cup!! #MOT pic.twitter.com/IbdEH41ibe

— Jesse Marsch (@jessemarsch) January 23, 2023

Tyler Adams was glorious over his 90 minutes and was particularly sharp defensively. He received an enormous proportion of his duels and broke up a lot of Brentford’s possessions. Brenden Aaronson had an improved efficiency from his latest outings and pressured Brentford’s protection over his 69 minutes on the sphere.

Leeds United finally must win video games and the relegation battle is intense with only one level separating 14th place from 18th place. However discovering a solution to shore up the protection is a crucial signal. That is going to be very shut and an enormous take a look at for Marsch. 

Benfica information
 

U.S. U-19 ahead Marcos Zambrano-Delgado left the Philadelphia Union academy and is becoming a member of Benfica, the place he’ll seemingly begin off on the membership’s U-19 group. The Union needed to signal him to a homegrown deal however the Zambrano-Delgado, 18, opted to affix the Portuguese giants.  Zambrano-Delgado is represented by his Ecuadorian father.

The phrases of Zambrano-Delgado’s deal are nonetheless on the youth degree and sure not what he could be making a Philadelphia and the climb to the primary group at Benfica is extraordinarily tough. So it is going to be a long-term take a look at for him. Internationally, he has performed for the US on the U-19 degree however can be eligible for Ecuador. 

In the meantime, hypothesis continues to develop that John Brooks will depart Benfica this winter as he has fallen within the membership’s depth chart and his prospects for enjoying time proper now are minimal.

Extra hypothesis in Portugal that John Brooks will depart Benfica this winter. It is sensible. He is fallen to the fifth or sixth central defender on the membership’s depth chart and his prospects for enjoying are minimal. https://t.co/Z0u2lQWWCu

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) January 23, 2023

LDLT makes first Celta Vigo begin
 

Luca de la Torre, 24, made his first La Liga begin for Celta Vigo on Friday in a 1-0 loss to Mallorca. He was subbed out within the 68th minute. He earned the beginning after a collection of stable performances off the bench however this was clearly a step behind these outings.

De la Torre wasn’t dangerous however he didn’t noticeably assist Celta Vigo’s unsuccessful effort to get a end result. With out accidents or suspensions, it in all probability wasn’t sufficient to maintain him within the beginning lineup. Sadly for Celta Vigo, the membership sits outdoors the relegation zone solely by aim differential and for the San Diego native, that is eerily just like final 12 months’s standing with Heracles (which pale into the relegation zone on the ultimate day).

Luca de la Torre off within the 68th with Celta Vigo down 1-0. He was okay. Not dangerous, not nice. Nonetheless nice for him to get his first La Liga begin. – Celta only one level forward above the relegation zone in the event that they lose (however having performed 1 extra sport). https://t.co/ZdX8GRvHur

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) January 20, 2023

Yanks throughout the globe 

Yanks in England

Matt Turner watched from the bench as his Arsenal group defeated Manchester United 3-2 to stay atop the Premier League desk.

Daryl Dike began and performed 90 minutes for West Brom on Friday in a 2-1 loss to leaders Burnley. Dike, 22, struggled on this sport after 4 actually good outings and West Brom noticed their four-game Championship successful streak snapped. West Brom fell to tenth place however is only one level out of promotional playoff positions because the standings stay extremely tight.

Goalkeeper Zack Steffen began for Middlesbrough in a 2-0 loss to Sunderland (Lynden Gooch was not in Sunderland’s squad). Boro noticed its 4 sport Championship successful streak snapped with the loss and fell to sixth place.

Ethan Horvath and Luton City rose to seventh place after a 2-0 away win over last-place Wigan Athletic. Horvath began and went the gap in aim for Luton City.

Auston Trusty and Birmingham Metropolis misplaced their fifth Championship sport in a row after a 2-1 loss at dwelling to Preston North Finish. Birmingham Metropolis fell to nineteenth place however nonetheless six factors from the relegation zone. 

Duane Holmes and Huddersfield City noticed their sport in opposition to Blackpool postponed on account of a frozen area.

Yanks in Belgium
 

Mark McKenzie and first-place Genk had their sport in opposition to Eupen postponed on account of snow.

Marlon Fossey began at proper again for Customary Liege in a 4-1 loss to Royal Antwerp (Sam Vines is out injured till February or March). Fossey was subbed out in second half stoppagetime.

Bryan Reynolds returned from his shoulder damage and began and performed the total 90 minutes for Westerlo in a 1-1 draw with Zlute Waregem.

Yanks in Holland
 

Ricardo Pepi, 20, began for Groningen and picked up a lucky help however he couldn’t stop his group from collapsing late in a 3-1 loss to Heerenveen.

The outdated shanked shot help for Ricardo Pepi. Heerenveen 1-1 Groningen at HT pic.twitter.com/qEqT68bClz

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) January 22, 2023

Solely the slimmest of tiebreakers have Groningen outdoors of the Eredivisie relegation zone. 

Taylor Sales space began and performed an uneventful 90 minutes for eighth-place FC Utrecht in a 2-0 loss to fourth place Twente.

Yanks in Germany

Within the Bundesliga, Jordan Pefok missed a penalty for Union Berlin and was subbed out along with his group trailing Hoffenheim 1-0 (Justin Che was not in uniform for Hoffenheim). Pefok was not on the sphere as Union Berlin rallied for 3 straight targets en path to a 3-1 win.

Additionally within the Bundesliga, Joe Scally entered the sport for Borussia Monchengladbach within the 56th minute trailing Bayer Leverkusen 2-0. After falling behind 3-0, M’Gladbach scored two late targets however fell in need of a comeback, shedding 3-2.

Yanks Elsewhere

Venezia fell again into the Serie B relegation zone after a 1-0 loss at dwelling to Sudtirol. Gianluca Busio began and performed the total 90. Andrija Novakovich performed the primary half whereas Tannter Tessmann performed the ultimate 24 minutes.

Within the Scottish Cup, Ian Harkes performed the ultimate eight minutes for Dundee United in a 3-0 win over Stirling College. Scott Pittman began and performed the total 90 for Livingston in a 3-1 away in over Stenhousemuir. Trailing 1-0, Pittman scored within the 52nd minute to ignite a comeback win. Malik Tillman, began and performed 67 minutes for Rangers in a 1-0 win over St. Johnstone. James Sands was an unused substitute.