ASN: Teen debuts, goalazos, and large wins spotlight banner weekend for Yanks in Europe

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
January 18, 2020
10:55 PM

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IF YOU RECALL, December was a moderately horrible month for People overseas. Throughout that point, many okay gamers have been both injured, struggling on the sector, and even benched. The tip of the yr and the top of the last decade have been limping to a moderately dismal ending.

However in soccer, issues can and infrequently do change in a short time. The beginning of 2020 has been terrific for younger People as many gamers have both used their leagues’ winter breaks to enhance their standing inside their groups or they’ve used the congested vacation schedules to seek out alternatives and seize the moments.

Final weekend was certainly one for American gamers but it surely pales compared to what happened on Saturday.

Reyna makes Dortmund debut
It had been moderately apparent {that a} Bundesliga debut for Giovanni Reyna was coming. The son of the previous U.S. captain carried out effectively for Borussia Dortmund’s U-19 crew within the first half of the season and loved an exceptionally robust winter break camp over the previous few weeks. When the crew returned, it was introduced that Reyna was going to be integrated into the membership’s first crew.

Within the Borussia Dortmund’s first recreation of 2020, it visited midtable Augsburg and Reyna was named to the bench.

The sport was really harder than anticipated for Dortmund which trailed Augsburg 3-1 within the fifty fifth minute. The sport modified the following minute when Norwegian teenager ahead Erling Haland got here into the sport for his membership debut. After scoring objectives in droves for Purple Bull Salzburg, Haland had a sensational first look for Dortmund the place he registered a hat tick over a 20-mintue span.

Gio Reyna, 17, got here into the sport within the 72nd minute for his first-team debut. It was an anticipated second for Reyna who was assured in his few moments on the sector. He made 15 touches, tried a shot, and had a profitable dribble. However greater than that, he’s at a membership that clearly believes in him and is prepared to carry him alongside.

However what can also be exceptional about Reyna is that he’s solely 66 days previous his seventeenth birthday. Together with his look, he grew to become the youngest American to ever play in Germany’s high flight.

The longer term is now ???? pic.twitter.com/2zBkMTWdza

— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) January 18, 2020

As for his standing with the U.S. crew, Reyna may conceivably play a job in three totally different U.S. groups proper now. He’s eligible for the present U-20 crew which is able to try to qualify for the 2021 U-20 World Cup this summer time. He’s eligible for the U-23 crew which is able to try to qualify for the Olympics this summer time (and he’s additionally age-eligible for the 2024 U-23 Olympic crew as effectively) and he’s, after all, eligible for the complete nationwide crew. His most up-to-date look was with the U-17 crew on the 2019 World Cup the place it struggled, scored only one aim, and was eradicated within the group stage.

The youngest American to ever seem within the Bundesliga ????????

Keep in mind the title ?? pic.twitter.com/2TJAyk2LaE

— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) January 18, 2020

Predicting the place Reyna will find yourself comes all the way down to how U.S. Soccer charges him and what groups Dortmund is prepared to offer a launch.

My prediction is that Reyna performs with the complete nationwide crew in March for his debut. Gregg Berhalter has mentioned that he is among the younger American gamers he’s watching. If the U-23 crew qualifies for the Olympics this summer time, it wouldn’t be stunning to see if U.S. Soccer seeks his launch from Dortmund to play in Tokyo. There are loads of transferring components and something can occur, however there’s clearly loads of alternatives for Reyna to play for the USA at totally different ranges.

???? Reyna postgame presser:

“A dream came true today, it was a great game for us. When the coach called my name I was so excited. I was nervous but the guys made me feel comfortable.” pic.twitter.com/lpfuZYwkKt

— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) January 18, 2020

Vassilev makes Premier League debut
Reyna was not the one younger American to make a big league debut on Saturday. With Aston Villa trailing Brighton and Hove Albion within the 67th minute, head coach Dean Smith turned to younger American attacker Indiana Vassilev to assist flip the tide.

Vassilev has not too long ago made a pair of cup appearances for Villa but it surely was laborious to see how the membership rated him as a result of its foremost focus was on the Premier League the place it’s caught in a intense relegation combat. However in a giant recreation towards fellow relegation battlers Brighton, Vassilev was the primary substitute introduced on together with his membership trailing. That was a moderately vital assertion made by Smith.

When Vassilev stepped on the sector, he grew to become the second youngest American participant to play within the Premier League behind Jonathan Spector. The son and grandson of former Bulgarian skilled gamers, Vassilev will flip 19 in February.

Congratulations to Indiana Vassilev, who made his #PL debut this afternoon! ????#AVFC pic.twitter.com/mztqaqdxMV

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 18, 2020

On the sector, Vassilev didn’t contact the ball a lot (seven touches in 23 minutes) however he was lively making harmful runs and urgent Brighton. Aston Villa ended up discovering an equalizer. Regardless of the purpose, Villa continues to be within the relegation zone at 18th place however is only one level from Watford and West Ham for sixteenth and seventeenth place and the final protected spots within the league.

Vassilev’s rise might need caught some without warning though when paying nearer consideration to his youth performances, it shouldn’t have. He’s been remarkably regular over latest years and it’s clear the membership charges him. If the membership continues to show to him within the crucial video games down the stretch, will probably be telling. It’s true that the membership has been coping with accidents, however the Savanah, GA native is seen as a part of the long run.

Indiana Vassilev grew to become the fifth American to play within the Premier League for Aston Villa:

???????? Brad Guzan???????? Brad Friedel???????? Michael Bradley???????? Eric Lichaj???????? Indiana Vassilev

— Paul Carr (@PaulCarr) January 19, 2020

Like Reyna, will probably be fascinating to see the place Vassilev suits into the combo with U.S. Soccer as he’s eligible for the 2021 U-20 crew, the 2020 U-23 crew, the 2024 U-23 crew, and the complete nationwide crew. His most up-to-date look was with the U-20 crew for a camp in September. The doubtless wager is to assume he’ll stay with that crew for this summer time’s U-20 World Cup qualifying.

In fact, if he continues to get minutes for Villa and performs effectively, issues can change though taking a management position inside the U-20 crew is an excellent alternative.

Adams robust for Bundesliga leaders
After coming back from harm simply earlier than the beginning of the winter break, Tyler Adams earned the beginning for Bundesliga main RB Leipzig at house towards Union Berlin. In contrast to the earlier recreation the place he began at proper again, Adams returned to his pure defensive midfield place for the primary time all season.

The previous New York Purple Bull had an impressive recreation and appeared like his former self the place he made few errors, was a defensive presence in the course of the sector and broke up quite a few probabilities, and accomplished an enormous proportion of his passes.

Tyler Adams vs Union Berlin86 minutes 2 shots84% passing2 key passes7 lengthy balls/ 3 correct 3 aerials won104 touches 1 sort out 1 clearance 1 interception Fouled 4 occasions #USMNT

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) January 18, 2020

With the win, RB Leipzig proceed to cruise on the high of the Bundesliga desk with a 5 level cushion on second place Borussia Monchengladbach and a six level lead over third place Bayern Munich. With every week, the percentages are rising we may have an American begin for a champion of one among Europe’s largest leagues.

It’s protected to say Adams is again and enjoying at a really excessive stage once more and it’s large information for the U.S. crew which has struggled in defensive midfield throughout his lengthy absence from harm. The Olympics stay a risk for Adams if U.S. Soccer pushes for a medal however for now, it’s simply good and necessary to have him again.

Gooch continues stellar run
Sunderland is the most important membership in England’s third tier League One and it desperately needs to return to a stage of respectability. It’s two consecutive relegations in 2016/17 and 2017/18 have been embarrassing and it was bitter capsule when it didn’t get promoted again to the Championship in 2018/19. For many of the first half of 2019/20 the prospects of promotion have been bleak.

However the membership’s fortunes have modified and the first purpose is because of American Lynden Gooch who has put the membership on his again the final 5 video games. On Saturday, he scored a marvel aim within the 79th minute to present Sunderland a giant 1-0 away win over MK Dons. Much more necessary, with the win Sunderland is again into the League One’s promotional playoff positions.

It is a nice view of Lynden Gooch’s aim at this time pic.twitter.com/Ez2jBjUDmG

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) January 18, 2020

Gooch’s run has been terrific. During the last 5 video games he has 4 objectives and an help and the membership has 4 wins and a draw over that span.

If Gooch, 24, will help the membership earn promotion, it should certainly be significant for him as he has an attachment to Sunderland which dates again to when he was 10 years previous. If not, he’s trying as if he’s a participant who might be picked up by a much bigger membership as he enters the prime years of his profession.

Chandler Man of the Match
Timothy Chandler hasn’t had it simple in recent times with accidents limiting him for many of 2018 and 2019. The American fullback confirmed indicators of progress in December when he started to play extra for an Eintracht Frankfurt crew that’s now in eleventh place of the Bundesliga.

After a robust winter break camp in the USA, Chandler was in wonderful type in Saturday’s Bundesliga second half Bundesliga opener the place Eintrach Frankfurt defeated Hoffenheim on the street 2-1.

Chandler had an enormous position within the win the place his protection pressured turnover that led to the buildup of the opening aim. Then with the rating even 1-1, Chandler scored what can be winner within the 62nd minute when he headed house a Filip Kostic cross.

— Eleven Sports activities Portugal (@ElevenSports_PT) January 18, 2020

Apart from the aim, Chandler had an general nice recreation the place he received 4 aerials, was fouled twice, had a sort out, an interception, and a clearance earlier than he was subbed out within the 83rd minute.

Chandler stays a participant to look at, though his nationwide crew prospects are fading. He’ll flip 30 throughout the subsequent U.S. nationwide crew camp and youthful American fullback choices are rising. Nonetheless, he can excel, maybe he’ll get a glance.

Kelman scores once more for Southend
Within the English third tier, Southend United received simply its second recreation of the season when it defeated Accrington Stanley 2-1 on the street and U.S. U-20 ahead Charlie Kelman performed a giant position by scoring the crew’s opening aim. On the play, Southend took benefit of a dreadful again cross from an Accrington Stanley midfielder close to his personal penalty space, the ball was then performed to Kelman for a sophisticated end.

Video of U.S U-20 ahead Charlie Kelman’s aim for Southend United in a 2-1 win over Accrington Stanley. Southend doubtless getting relegated to League Two subsequent yr. I’m to see when Kelman lands. I doubt he heads to the 4th tier pic.twitter.com/kZbR1BSImG

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) January 19, 2020

Kelman, 18, is among the membership’s high younger gamers however will doubtless be on the transfer quickly. The membership is in a tough scenario financially and is deep within the relegation gap. With a drop to the fourth tier almost sure, Kelman will doubtless be on the transfer and now it’s only a case of him proving himself to discover a good choice.

Together with his aim on Saturday, Kelman now has three objectives in simply 306 minutes of motion and his restricted minutes have been resulting from a harm that saved him out two months. Kelman was invited to the latest U-20 camp in Florida however was not launched. The doubtless wager is that he rejoins that crew in March.

Steffen out as Fortuna fall once more
On Saturday, Fortuna Dusseldorf hosted Werder Bremen in a Bundesliga matchup that had large relegation implications. Alfredo Morales began for Fortuna and Josh Sargent began for Werder Bremen. Lacking for Fortuna was Zack Steffen which the membership revealed earlier than the sport continues to be coping with tendonitis within the patellar tendon of his knee. The membership has additionally indicated this has been an ongoing situation and Steffen missed the U.S. nationwide crew’s November camp resulting from it.

The sport itself was uninteresting and torpid, regardless of the significance. Morales was most likely Fortuna’s greatest participant within the loss as he went 71 minutes as he had 4 pictures and received six aerials (the very best on his crew). Defensively, he had 4 clearances, two tackles, two interceptions, and two blocked pictures. Additionally, he was fouled 4 occasions.

As for Sargent, it was a combined efficiency. He wasn’t capable of register any pictures or hit any key passes however his seven aerials received was the very best within the recreation for both crew. He was additionally fouled 4 occasions to assist Werder have free kick alternatives. He wasn’t a part of the aim, however he labored laborious in a really bodily recreation wherein his crew got here away with an enormous win. Werder Bremen moved out of seventeenth place (automated relegation) and into sixteenth place (relegation playoff).

In the meantime, Fortuna has the worst aim differential on the season and fell into seventeenth place. At this level, it’s unclear when they may have their beginning goalkeeper again.

Ledezma notches a brace
The weekend started with a bang on Friday when U.S. U-23 midfielder Richard Ledezma scored two objectives for Jong PSV in a tricky 4-2 loss to FC Volendam. Clearly, it was a tricky outcome for a Jong PSV crew that’s in poor form – sitting in seventeenth place out of 20 within the Dutch second tier. However for Ledezma, it was an announcement for him. Additionally of be aware, 2019 U.S. U-20 World Cup left again Chris Gloster received the beginning for Jong PSV too.

However with Jong PSV being lowered to 10 gamers within the thirty fourth minute whereas trailing 1-0, a win was at all times going to be laborious. However Ledezma was capable of present a minimum of an opportunity with a implausible aim to equalize within the forty third minute and a go-ahead aim within the fiftieth. Ultimately, Volendam was capable of finding its approach with three straight objectives to finish the sport.

Este golazo de Richard Ledezma ???????????????? no alcanzó para evitar la derrota del Jong PSV. https://t.co/7m9TgvuzKK

— LEGIÓN AZTECA (@LALEGIONAZTECA_) January 18, 2020

However for Ledezma, this was his second elite outing for Jong PSV and it was additionally vital as a result of it was his first nice outing towards an opponent which was not youth or second crew.

Ledezma is inching in the direction of breaking again into PSV’s first crew bench and incomes a doable debut. For the U.S. crew, he appears to be an excellent candidate to be a pacesetter in Olympic qualifying if PSV is prepared to launch him.

Fulham into third
There are loads of People within the Championship proper now however Tim Ream has the very best likelihood of incomes a promotion within the Premier League. On Friday, the St. Louis native anchored Fulham’s backline in a 1-0 clear sheet win over Middlesbrough.

Ream, deservedly, has grow to be a veteran chief of Fulham and the U.S. nationwide crew. The Championship is a demanding and intense league (very like CONCACAF) and Ream has mastered it. One other promotion can be a formidable step for Fulham and one other assertion in Ream’s robust resume.

The remaining

Whereas it was largely a terrific weekend for People overseas, it wasn’t for John Brooks or Wolfsburg which entered into the weekend with the very best protection in Germany (18 objectives conceded in 17 video games) and inside putting distance of sixth place – the Bundesliga’s Europa League spot. All that stood of their approach was thirteenth place Koln. However Koln was capable of get via Wolfsburg’s backline 3 times for a 3-1 win.

Two People confronted off within the Championship when Derby County hosted Hull Metropolis on Saturday. Duane Holmes began for Derby County and Eric Lichaj began at proper again the place he captained Hull, as normal. It was a typical Championship bodily battle and Derby got here away with a 1-0 win. Each groups proceed to slog via midtable with Hull in twelfth place and Derby caught in fifteenth.

Life in midtable for Antonee Robinson can be a luxurious at this level which misplaced to Swansea Metropolis 2-1 on Saturday. Robinson, 22, went the space for Wigan within the loss and it’s the third straight Championship relegation battle of his three yr first-team profession. However this yr is extra of an uphill climb than in earlier years. Wigan is now in twenty third place within the 24-team league. Nonetheless it’s only two factors from security however is trending within the incorrect course.

Additionally, within the Championship, Matt Miazga didn’t get off the bench for Studying in a 2-0 loss to Millwall. It was simple to see why Miazga had been driving the bench as a result of the crew has been in wonderful type defensively in a run that started when Miazga was injured. However Studying’s protection is beginning to drift again to actuality and that ought to open the door for Miazga.

In Belgium, there was one other recreation which pitted two People towards one another as Sint Truiden hosted Kortrijk. U.S. U-23 defensive midfielder Chris Durkin received the beginning for St. Truiden whereas Colorado native Brendan Hines-Ike began for Kortrijk – each People ended up going the complete 90 as St. Truiden posted a 1-0 win. The 2 groups stay shut within the standings with St. Truiden in eleventh place and Kortrijk in twelfth.

Lastly, within the Scottish Cup on Sunday, Dundee United and Hibs performed to a 2-2 draw. American central midfielders Dillon Powers and Ian Harkes each earned the beginning for United and each picked up assists within the draw. For Powers, it was his second recreation with the membership and his first help since transferring to Scotland after his contract with Orlando Metropolis expired.