20230510 American States United

"What is Ted Lasso? It's about a club in the Premier League and the Championship, but it's about authenticity, what's real in a manager, what's real in a club, and what's real in the fans. I think that's what's attracting Americans who have seen the show to want to get involved in English football. It's increasing the value of being involved in clubs outside the Premier League. The EFL is not terribly glamorous, but at least it's real. It's full of real fans who care about their clubs."

—Plymouth Argyle chairman, and Pennsylvania-based GFOP, Simon Hallett, on Ted Lasso’s influence on English Football fans in America, as well as potential investors. Hallett recently spoke with Rog about Argyle’s promotion-winning season, an interview that drops on our pod feed Wednesday evening. 🎙🎧

Eagles On the Move:

American Soccer Twitter may be able to retire the “Free Pulisic” hashtag soon. The Daily Mail is reporting that a pair of Italian giants, Napoli and Juventus, are both interested in making a move for Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (24; Hershey, PA). Joining either team would have to be seen as a welcome switch for both player and club, as Pulisic’s role with Chelsea has been extremely erratic during his four seasons with the Blues, while Chelsea would likely want to sell the USMNT star while he’s still under contract — his current deal expires in 2024. #LetMyPulisicGo

Should he complete a transfer to Italy, Christiano would likely fit right in in Serie A, at least according to one of the league’s top strikers. Pulisic Beard Daddy Olivier Giroud was asked by CBS what it was like playing with CP10, and he only had wonderful things to say about his former Chelsea teammate. “He was a happy boy. Always good vibes,” said Giroud. “My understanding on the pitch with him was top. He was that kind of player who was very skillful. He can dribble, he can play the one-two. He’s a very, very talented player.”

It seems that Pulisic isn’t the only Baby Eagle who might be on the move in Europe this summer. Southampton is reportedly interested in a move for Antalyaspor’s Haji Wright 🇹🇷 (25; Los Angeles, CA). Currently on loan at AC Milan from Barcelona, Sergino Dest 🇮🇹 (22; Almere, NED) is reportedly drawing interest from the Premier League.

Auston Trusty, Proper Brummie:

One of the biggest American success stories of this campaign has taken place in England’s second tier, and in its second city, as Arsenal loanee Auston Trusty 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 has had a massively successful season with Birmingham City.

The 24-year-old Philadelphia Union product from Media, Pa. made an impact straightaway, as he started the Blues’ first 33 league matches, and didn’t miss a single minute on the pitch over that stretch. He also showed the ability to push forward, notching an impressive four goals and two assists from defense — including one memorable overhead kick against QPR in October.

Trusty’s play on the pitch, coupled with his willingness to fight through injury — even unsightly ones — led to him becoming a fan favorite who heard USA chants on numerous occasions. All of this culminated in Trusty being named Birmingham City’s Supporters’ Player of the Season in 2022-23, an honor not lost on the USMNT center back. “You made Birmingham feel like home,” he said after winning the award. Which is really all one can ask for from these sorts of loan moves. Ample playing time, and a genuine connection with the club and its supporters.

As for what’s next for Aus the Boss, he’s reportedly drawn the interest of Rangers in Scotland, but it remains to be seen if parent club Arsenal would want to part with a defender who’s likely still improving.

Americans in Championship Playoffs:

Trusty’s season in the second tier may be over, but a trio of Americans are still in action, as three USMNT players will feature in the four-team Championship Promotion Playoff. Ethan Horvath 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (27; Highlands Ranch, CO) and Luton Town will face Lynden Gooch 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (27; Santa Cruz, CA) and Sunderland over two legs in one semifinal. The other features Zack Steffen 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (28; Downington, PA) and Middlesbrough taking on Coventry City. The winner of the “The World’s Most Lucrative Match” at Wembley on May 27 will then earn a spot in the Premier League. Best of luck to all three.

News & Notes:

• Congratulations to Cameron Carter-Vickers 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 (Southend-on-Sea, ENG) for winning the Scottish Premiership title with Celtic. Here’s video of him celebrating with the Bhoys while on crutches.

• Ricardo Pepi 🇳🇱 (20; El Paso, TX) scored his 12th for Groningen (WATCH), making him the youngest player with 15 goal involvements at the club since Luis Suarez. Groningen were relegated anyway, which actually make Pepi’s achievements even more impressive.

• Genk central defender Mark McKenzie 🇧🇪 (24; Bear, DE) scored his third goal in his last three matches on Sunday at Royal Antwerp (WATCH). Bonkers.

• Weston McKennie 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (24; Little Elm, TX) was the highest-rated starting field player (per Fotmob) for Leeds in their 2-1 loss to Man City. Rory Delap-esque throw-ins and a willingness to body up the Norwegian Meat Shield might have been factors.

• Further Scottish congrats are in order, as CCV and Malik Tillman 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 (20; Nürnberg, GER) were both voted onto the PFA Scotland Premiership Team of the Year, as voted on by players.

• Joe Scally 🇩🇪 (20; Lake Grove, NY) took time out from his Gladbach duties to talk to ESPN about what the USMNT needs from a head coach. 🗣 “A coach that understands we’re not a club team.” 🤔

• Paxten Aaronson 🇩🇪 (19; Medford, NJ) played the entire second half for Eintracht Frankfurt in their 3-1 loss at Hoffenheim Saturday. Only Mario Götze had a higher match rating for Eintracht.

• Aaronson’s success comes at a cost to the USYNT, however, as he will not be permitted to leave the club to play in this year’s U20 World Cup. Hajduk Split’s Rokas Pukštas 🇭🇷 (18; Stillwater, OK) will also miss out for the same reason.

• In the WSL, Katie Stengel 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (31; Melbourne, FL) played 89 minutes in Liverpool’s impressive 2-1 win over Man City. Brooke Hendrix 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (30; Sharpsburg, GA) also made a substitute appearance for Reading against Aston Villa on Sunday.

• A pair of singular characters are going out together, as Senior Eagles Geoff Cameron and Brek Shea have simultaneously announced their retirements from soccer. Shea was a maverick who flickered brightly as one in a long line of the Next Great American Thing. Yet, after burning out in Europe, he roamed across MLS, delivering occasional moments of wonder which hinted at the sublime skills which triggered all the hype in the first place Geoff Cameron was a bloke who kept American flags flying during the lean years in the Premier League. Hailing from Hockey Country in Attleboro, Mass., Cameron was tenacious, obstinate, and always willing to speak his mind. I remember asking him if he was aware an English commentator referred to his long throws as “Quarterback Style!” and he told me, “That is a man obviously knows little to nothing about the NFL.”

Parting Shots:

A quick one on Aron Jóhannsson 🇮🇸, who has scored in back to back matches for Valur — Wednesday at Fylkir (WATCH) and Sunday against KR Reykjavik (WATCH). The 32-year-old Icelandic-American burst onto the scene ahead of the 2014 World Cup — his parents had been students in Mobile, Ala. when he was born — but after blasting 29 goals in 58 games for AZ Alkmaar as a 23-year-old, his career was undermined by injury. It is lovely to see him thrive again and think about what might have been.

The Perfect Collection for Your Collection:

Shirts (to work on your farmers’ tan in style), hats (to make sure you protect your head from the sun), glasses (perfect for enjoying a summer beverage), and more are in our American States United collection. All Baby Eagles all the time.

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