By and enormous, it was a productive weekend for U.S. World Cup hopefuls scattered throughout Europe, the US and Mexico. 4 scored, 4 assisted and two helped their Canadian aspect advance to MLS Cup for the primary time.
For 4 of them, specifically, it was additionally a weirdly pleasant weekend.
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Let’s start with somebody hardly ever mentioned however a contender for a roster spot subsequent summer season: Jonathan Klinsmann, whose father, Jurgen, the previous German celebrity, used to teach the U.S. males’s nationwide crew.
The 28-year-old goalkeeper, who grew up in Southern California, is employed by Cesena in Italian Serie B. A former U.S. youth worldwide, he has obtained a couple of senior call-ups, together with the November camp, however has but to earn his first cap.
On Friday, he pulled off a bizarro hat trick of kinds in Italy: a penalty kick save, a clear sheet and an help on the match’s solely aim, towards Modena. With a near-perfect 9.6 score from Fotmob, he was the participant of the match.
In Cesena’s pursuit of promotion to Serie A — I Cavallucci Marini, or the Seahorses, are fourth, 4 factors from the highest — Klinsmann has began all 14 matches and conceded 14 objectives whereas recording three shutouts.
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As for Klinsmann’s standing with Mauricio Pochettino and the U.S. program, the goalkeeping state of affairs is unsettled heading into 2026.
With 12 consecutive begins, New York Metropolis FC’s Matt Freese is the clear No. 1 on the depth chart. Although he wasn’t referred to as up in November, New England’s Matt Turner would appear to have the No. 2 spot, due to his expertise (52 caps, 2022 World Cup starter). Klinsmann, Columbus’ Patrick Schulte (three caps), Chicago’s Chris Brady (none), Cincinnati’s Roman Celentano (none) and maybe Colorado’s Zack Steffen (30, however only one the previous three years) are additionally within the combine.
All of the MLS keepers, nevertheless, have entered the offseason and won’t have any aggressive matches till February, leaving Klinsmann with a primary alternative to make his case earlier than Pochettino narrows his choices for the reported friendlies in Atlanta towards Portugal and Belgium in late March.
It’s exhausting to examine somebody with none worldwide appearances making the World Cup squad, and because it stands, Freese appears sure to begin each March matches — the final friendlies earlier than Pochettino names his crew in late Might. The competitors for not less than one, and possibly two, of the three slots, although, appears removed from over.
Bournemouth’s Tyler Adams scored from 45 yards out, sparking the USMNT’s oddball weekend.
(Lee Parker – CameraSport through Getty Pictures)
Whereas Klinsmann prevented objectives over the weekend, Tyler Adams scored one from some 45 yards. After amassing a cross in his personal finish and accelerating throughout the midway line, the central midfielder alertly noticed Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs nicely ahead and drove a shot over the leaping keeper for his second Premier League aim in his previous 4 outings.
In France’s Ligue 1, Olympique Marseille was on the verge of entering into first place when mid-table Toulouse scored a stoppage-time equalizer — off a throw-in by U.S. defender Mark McKenzie. His lengthy toss arrange Santiago Hidalgo’s header for a 2-2 draw.
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One other uncommon state of affairs unfolded within the Netherlands, the place Ricardo Pepi was really in PSV Eindhoven’s lineup. The striker took full benefit of his first begin in additional than two months, helping on Joey Veerman’s aim within the sixth minute and scoring with an angled overhead kick within the twenty fourth throughout a 3-0 house victory over Volendam.
Elsewhere, 4 gamers have been concerned in knockout competitions in each MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX.
MLS
Brian White, on the fringes of the U.S. striker pool, scored twice from shut vary within the first half because the . Midfielder Sebastian Berhalter additionally performed 90 minutes for the Whitecaps, who will go to Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami for the trophy Saturday. Midfielder Luca de la Torre performed the second half for San Diego.
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Mexico
U.S. winger Alex Zendejas scored within the thirtieth minute of Membership América’s 2-1 victory over visiting Monterrey within the second leg of the quarterfinals. However Monterrey’s stoppage-time aim offered a 3-2 mixture triumph.
Italy
Per week after scoring the winner within the derby towards Inter Milan, Christian Pulisic sat out first-place AC Milan’s 1-0 victory over Lazio with a thigh damage. It was not thought of severe and, as a precaution, he watched from the stands. He may return Thursday for the rematch towards Lazio in Coppa Italia.
4 days after scoring within the Champions League, Weston McKennie went the gap as Juventus got here from behind to defeat Cagliari, 2-1. Yunus Musah didn’t obtain any enjoying time in Atalanta’s 2-0 victory over Fiorentina.
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England
Chris Richards performed 90 in Crystal Palace’s 2-1 house loss to Manchester United, whereas Brendan Aaronson entered within the ninetieth of Leeds’ 3-2 loss at Manchester Metropolis.
Antonee Robinson — who hasn’t been in uniform in nearly two months and hasn’t performed for the nationwide crew in additional than a 12 months — stays sidelined for Fulham with a knee ailment, however there is perhaps gentle on the finish of the lengthy tunnel.
“He’s getting good emotions however is doing particular person work — good to see him on the pitch,” Supervisor Marco Silva stated. “He’s getting higher and extra assured — not nearly his knees however his mindset. Quickly we are able to have extra information, however proper now we’ve no timescale.”
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Patrick Agyemang scored his third Championship aim and performed 90 minutes for Derby County, however his second-minute strike was canceled out in a 2-1 loss at Middlesbrough. Middlesbrough’s Aidan Morris, a normal starter, sat out with an damage.
Josh Sargent (88 minutes) had an help in Norwich Metropolis’s 3-1 victory over Queens Park Rangers however prolonged his scoring drought to fifteen video games for membership and nation.
Injured striker Haji Wright missed his third consecutive match for Championship chief Coventry Metropolis — and he may need a tough time getting his job again from his substitute, Ellis Simms, who has 5 objectives in that span.
Germany
Should you thought Gio Reyna’s U.S. performances in November may elevate his position at Mönchengladbach, suppose once more. The 23-year-old attacker entered within the 73rd minute of a 0-0 draw with RB Leipzig. Since getting back from worldwide obligation, he has logged 35 minutes in two appearances.
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Proper again Joe Scally, Reyna’s teammate for membership and nation, made his fourth consecutive begin. Central midfielder Malik Tillman performed 74 minutes in Bayer Leverkusen’s 2-1 loss at Borussia Dortmund. In Bavaria, defensive midfielder James Sands and second-to-last St. Pauli have been no match for undefeated chief Bayern Munich, 3-1.
Defender Noahkai Banks and Augsburg conceded three first-half objectives in a 3-0 loss at Heidenheim. Within the second division, left wing John Tolkin went 74 minutes as Holstein Kiel fell 1-0 at house to surging Hertha Berlin.
France
Winger Tim Weah went the gap for Marseille in that aforementioned 2-2 house draw with Toulouse, whereas Folarin Balogun and Tanner Tessmann departed their respective matches within the closing moments with what gave the impression to be minor accidents.
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Balogun and Monaco upset visiting Paris Saint-Germain 1-0, however for the primary time in his previous six begins, the U.S. striker didn’t rating. Usually a defensive midfielder, Tessmann made his second consecutive begin on the backline as Olympique Lyonnais routed Nantes 3-0. May he present cowl within the again for the nationwide crew, as nicely?
Others
Whereas Pepi made a uncommon begin for PSV Eindhoven, proper again Sergiño Dest was within the lineup for the thirteenth time in 14 matches for the Eredivisie leaders, who’re 12-1-1 with a plus-27 aim differential. … Three days after getting back from a two-month absence, central midfielder Johnny Cardoso was affixed to the bench for Atletico Madrid’s 2-0 win over Oviedo. … Scottish energy Celtic continues to point out belief in heart again Auston Trusty, who has performed each minute of his previous seven appearances throughout all membership competitions. On Sunday, second-place Celtic defeated Hibernian 2-1 for its fourth consecutive Premiership victory.