20230628 American States United

“I do like drinking beers.”

—B.J. Callaghan on how he celebrated the USMNT’s Nations League title. Watch the USMNT interim manager’s full 1-on-1 interview with Rog on our YouTube channel. 📹

USMNT Transfer Tracker:

The first two completed USMNT transfer moves of the summer are in. One expected, one a bit of a shock. But both feel like great fits for player and club alike.

Ricardo Pepi 🇳🇱 (20; El Paso, TX) had been linked with a move to PSV since early April. On Tuesday, all terms were finalized, and the young Texan got his wish, joining a Champions League side in a league he thrives in. Winner, winner, burnt ends dinner. With Stroopwafels for dessert.

Tim Weah 🇫🇷 (23; Rosedale, NY) had been linked to a number of clubs as of late. None of them Juventus. So naturally that’s where he signed, terms with the Serie A legends coming together quicker than Timo’s ability to glide down the touch line. The 23-year-old’s versatility — winger, wing back, left, right, it’s all part of Timmy’s repertoire — makes him the ideal replacement for the outgoing Juan Cuadrado.

Done deals aside, it’s on to the latest reports and rumors. Christian Pulisic 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (24; Hershey, PA) wants AC Milan, and Milan wants Puli. And Chelsea want $27 million for their No. 10. Which is more than the Rossoneri want to pay, but the two sides are actively negotiating, so a deal seems quite possible. Lyon fans, meanwhile, would like to see Hershey Jesus in Ligue 1, while Brad Friedel thinks he should go to Spurs.

A lot of chatter around Yunus Musah 🇪🇸 (20; London, ENG) as of late. First, as confirmed by Fabrizio Romano, AC Milan has reportedly been in touch with Valencia about a deal for the 20-year-old midfielder, while fellow Serie A side Sassuolo are also interested. Musah had also previously been linked with West Ham, a move that hinged on Declan Rice leaving the Hammers for Arsenal, which now appears to be imminent. Definitely one to watch.

With so many American players linked to moves to Italy, Gazzetta della Sport caught up with USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter to get his thoughts on the wave of potential Serie A arrivals. The short of it is that Gregg seems fine with the moves. And expects to spend significant time scouting in Italy next season.

Arsenal have set their price for Folarin Balogun 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (21; London, ENG), which opens the door for the player to find his next club. Certainly no shortage of options for the 21-year-old striker, as AC Milan, Juventus, Crystal Palace, Everton and more have all reportedly shown interest. Definitely one to watch in the coming weeks. But an Arsenal departure looks very likely either way. Also, play this fun new summertime social media game: One Degree of Balogun. This week’s answers are Chik-fil-A, blackout Ipswich kits 🤯, and Kylian Mbappe.

Fulham has reached out to Leeds about a loan deal for Brenden Aaronson 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (22; Medford, NJ), but there have been no updates beyond the initial contact. Weston McKennie 🇮🇹 (24; Little Elm, TX) is reportedly on Jose Mourinho’s radar at AS Roma, a scenario that would guarantee at least five ripped kits per season. Tyler Adams 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (24; Wappingers Falls, NY) is said to be high on Unai Emery’s list at Aston Villa, as the club gears up for their European campaign.

New Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou is said to be interested in bringing his center back at Celtic Cameron Carter-Vickers 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 (25; Southend-on-Sea, ENG) along with him to Tottenham. CCV was on the books at Spurs from 2016-22, but went out on loan for five of those seasons.

Malik Tillman’s 🇩🇪 (21; Nürnberg, GER) older brother Timothy — a midfielder with LAFC — weighed in on baby bro’s situation, and spoke about how much he enjoyed his time with Rangers. Another season on loan in Glasgow technically can’t be ruled out, but given the interest Malik is drawing from sides like Brentford and Brighton, it seems quite unlikely.

Sergiño Dest 🇪🇸 (22; Almere, NED) might head to Besiktas. Manchester United still has Taylor Booth 🇳🇱 (22; Eden, UT) on their radar. And Reggie Cannon 🇵🇹 (25; Grapevine, TX) is a free agent after leaving Boavista due to unpaid wages.

MORE: For all the latest transfer market updates, listen to Fabrizio Romano’s “Here We Go” podcast 🎙🎧

Gold Cupdates:

Upon first glance, the USMNT drawing with Jamaica 1-1 on home soil in Saturday’s Gold Cup opener might seem a disappointing result. Given we’re the new Kings of CONCACAF and all. But considering how EPL-heavy the Reggae Boyz’ lineup was — along with the fact that Matt Turner 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (29; Park Ridge, NJ) was the lone key returnee from the U.S. roster that won the Nations League title — it’s not an entirely surprising outcome. B.J. Callaghan and crew ultimately squeezed a point out of the match via 82nd-minute sub Brandon Vazquez’s 🇺🇸 (24; Chula Vista, CA) leveler in the 88th. 🙌

After the match, it was reported that Vazquez nearly joined the ranks of Americans Abroad with a move to the Bundesliga, as Borussia Mönchengladbach flew to Cincinnati to watch him play, and even visited him at home to present their club project to him. Personal terms were agreed, and Vazquez was very much on board, only for Gladbach’s offer to be rejected by FC Cincinnati, who refuse to sell the striker this summer. Despite it being a transfer that the USMNT forward wants. All of which led to the start of the #FreeVazquez movement. Hopefully the young American gets his move soon.

Next up for Vazquez and the USMNT: St. Kitts and Nevis on Wednesday night at 9:30 p.m. EST on FS1. Another match that, if nothing else, counts towards the Dest and McKennie suspensions.

More: Download and Listen to Rog’s Interview with USMNT Interim Coach B.J. Callaghan 🎙🎧

News and Notes:

• After doing the double in France, winning both the league and French Cup, Lindsey Horan 🇫🇷 (29; Golden, CO) has made her move from Portland to Lyon permanent. Allez Lindsey!

• Aron Johannsson 🇮🇸 (32; Mobile, AL) is an Icelandic Warrior Poet, a real Björk in Boots, and he just can’t stop stroking them in for Valur.

• Lovely human being Chris Richards 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (23; Birmingham, AL) was back in Alabama, where Birmingham Legion fans gave him the warm reception he so fully deserves.

• Sergino Dest got away from it all … in an effort to get Mexico off his mind.

• Dear European Footballers, Now it’s your turn to travel if you want to play elite club football. The 32-team Club World Cup is coming to the U.S. in 2025. 🇺🇸🎉🏆

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Parting Shots:

After nine years spent at Proper Burnley — eight under the likes of Sean Dyche, which is roughly 56 in footballer years — new Norwich City signing Ashley Barnes knows a thing or two about a thing or two. Which is why it means something to hear him rave about the abilities of new teammate Josh Sargent 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (23; O’Fallon, MO). 🗣 “To speak about Josh, I mean what a great talent. I've been training with him for one day and I think he's exceptional. I'm so excited to link up with him and that is just our movement already from doing a little bit of possession work. I'm so excited to see what this season can hold.” Up the Canaries. 💛💚🇺🇸

USWNT Collection with the GFOPs at Homage ⭐️🇺🇸👕

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