220125 ASU Newsletter

HAIL GFOP!

Leeds United States of America might be about to get 33 percent more American, with 100 percent more Wand celes. So without further ado, we newsletter:

The latest reports are that Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie 🇮🇹 has agreed to a move to America’s Yorkshire Embassy, a transfer that would see the 24-year-old from Little Elm, TX join fellow USMNT teammates Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson, while also playing for American manager Jesse Marsch. At this point it appears to be a matter of the clubs agreeing to terms, which is usually the first step in the process. Either way, should the move go through, it leaves Leeds with an improved midfield, and would allow McKennie to realize his dream of playing in England.

In other transfer news: Despite being out of action due to injury, Christian Pulisic 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 is reportedly drawing transfer attention from Italian giants AC Milan. The move would see him join USMNT right back Sergino Dest 🇮🇹, who started for the Rossoneri in their brutal 4-0 loss to Lazio, though to be fair, Dest was one of the few Milan players who stayed lively throughout, putting forth a halfway-decent performance in the lopsided loss.

Tim Weah 🇫🇷 continues to generate transfer interest from numerous teams, with his primary suitors shifting from the Premier League to the Bundesliga and La Liga, in the form of Borussia Monchengladbach and Sevilla, respectively. The Haji Wright 🇹🇷 rumors continue, with both Southampton and Crystal Palace reportedly exploring bids for the Antalyaspor striker. Konrad de la Fuente 🇬🇷 is said to be drawing interest from Hertha Berlin in Germany, among other clubs.

And then there are the British tabloid reports that flip the script, with the U.S. going after a European. Yes, we’re talking about U.S. Soccer’s rumored interest in hiring Jose Mourinho to manage the USMNT. (WATCH: ROG’S TAKE)

BREAKING NEWS: Leeds United appoint ex-Man. United assistant and former USMNT international Chris Armas to Jesse Marsch’s coaching staff (READ)

Not quite a Baby Eagle, more a full grown one, Rog sat down with Tim Ream last week for an hour long conversation that covers Mound City Maldini’s entire, tenacity-imbued career arc. At 35 years old, the Fulham and USMNT bedrock is living out the season of his life. LISTEN HERE. It includes THIS NUGGET about his USMNT absence, which is a much-watch and explains so much.

Gio Strikes Back:

In his first game back in the Bundesliga on Sunday, Gio Reyna 🇩🇪 was trotted on as a substitute for Dortmund in the 70th minute of a 3-3 match with Augsburg, and within seven minutes the 20-year-old from Bedford, NY thrashed an incredible WUNDERGOAL that turned out to be the match-winner (WATCH). It was the kind of strike that, let's just say, the USMNT could have done with during their three-goals-in-four-matches World Cup campaign.

But what caught the eye in this moment more than anything was the cele, something that forensic scientists will be dissecting for centuries to come. First, Gio made a shushing motion with his finger over his mouth, then plugged his ears, all of which was either a statement aimed at someone who has three G’s in his name — “stop your talking, I'm not listening.” Or, as next-level conspirators have hinted, there’s thinking that this was actually Gio mimicking Memphis Depay’s trademark celebration, which would make it so next level. Because we all remember Gregg Berhalter rather inadvisably suggesting that the U.S. didn't have attacking players that were the quality of Memphis Depay when we faced the Netherlands in the Round of 16.

Either way, this is where we are right now as USMNT fans. We’re celebrating Bundesliga bangers. And we're analyzing celes. 🥴

Richards Off to Impressive Start:

One player who isn’t going anywhere in January is the Pride of the 205, Chris Richards 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿. Back from an extended absence due to injury, the 22-year-old from Birmingham, AL has now started Crystal Palace’s last two matches, helping to lead the Eagles to impressive back-to-back draws against two top-four sides — Manchester United and Newcastle United.

With the tracking speed, intelligence and tackling ability of a five-star Alabama safety, Richards has thrived on the pitch, even playing well enough to be named Palace’s Man of the Match against Newcastle. Yet he seems to possess a perspective that grounds him off the pitch as well. Whether it’s dropping to his knees in genuflection before his first start, inscribing his little brother’s name on his boots for his second start, or giving a home fan the kit off his back afterwards, Richards seems to have a real appreciation of the moment that’s impressive for a player his age. It’s now abundantly clear why manager Patrick Vieira was so excited for Richards to return to the Palace lineup.

News and Notes:

• Josh Sargent 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (22; O’Fallon, MO) scored his 10th goal of the season for Norwich, which puts him on track for an impressive 17-goal Championship campaign for ‘22-23.

• Luca de la Torre 🇪🇸 (24; San Diego, CA) got his first-ever La Liga start in Celta Vigo’s 1-0 loss to Mallorca on Friday. 🙌

• Djordje Mihailovic 🇳🇱 (24; Lemont, IL) subbed on early for AZ Alkmaar against Fortuna Sittard, and went on to have an impressive 56-minute outing, creating 3 chances and winning 6-of-6 tackles. Fotmob gave him an 8.0 rating in the win.

• Portugal. The Men. Winger Benji Michel 🇵🇹 (25; Orlando, FL) worked from the outside-in to score his first-ever goal for FC Arouca in just his second match (WATCH), while midfielder Alex Mendez 🇵🇹 (22; Los Angeles, CA) got his second career goal for Vizela (WATCH). Both clubs are in the top half of the Primeira Liga.

• A pair of Baby Eagles got in the assists over the weekend — Kevin Paredes 🇩🇪 (19; South Riding, VA) earned his first-ever goal involvement for Wolfsburg in their 5-0 win over Mainz, while Ricardo Pepi 🇳🇱 (20; El Paso, TX) rode a bit of luck (WATCH) to his 3rd assist of the season for Groningen.

• Folarin Balogun 🇫🇷 (21; New York, NY) scored his 11th goal of the season for Reims (WATCH). Eligible to represent the U.S., England, and Nigeria, the Arsenal loanee has yet to decide where his international future lies. 🤞

• During a USMNT January Camp press conference, Chelsea teen Gaga Slonina 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (18; Addison, IL) was asked about life under Graham Potter. His response? 💙💙💙 (WATCH)

In Baby Eagle adjacent news, Rog sat down with Bukayo Saka to talk about Arsenal’s season of wonder and what American Slag Matt Turner has taught him. WATCH IT ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL. We are putting so much content on our YouTube Channel right now. Subscribe. Subscribe. Subscribe.

Fit But You Know It:

Normally a center-back, Auston Trusty 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (24; Media, PA) started at left-back in Birmingham City’s loss to Preston North End on Saturday. One doesn’t necessarily have to do with the other, but Trusty wound up with a wickedly crooked pinky while playing in his new position. The Philly Union product didn’t come out of the game, however, meaning he’s still played every minute of league action for the Blues so far this season. 💪 Haji Wright 🇹🇷 (24; Los Angeles, CA) and Cameron Carter-Vickers 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 (25; Southend-on-Sea, England) have missed Antalyaspor’s and Celtic’s last three matches, respectively, but their injuries are both believed to be minor cases of knock.

Parting Shots:

A regular starter at right wing for the mighty Club America in Liga MX, Alejandro Zendejas 🇲🇽 is generating a ton of CONCACAF buzz these days, to the point where the 24-year-old earned a call-up to the current USMNT January camp. Just before arriving in Southern California, however, Zendejas put the entire program on notice by trucking home a ridiculous volley against Puebla FC on Sunday night (WATCH).

Born in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico and raised in El Paso, TX, Zendejas is eligible to play for either Mexico or the U.S. While at camp, the FC Dallas product confirmed that he still has yet to decide where his future lies. Knowing Zendejas played at the 2015 U-17 World Cup for the U.S. with Christian Pulisic and Tyler Adams, maybe it’s time for our American stars to put a full-court social media press on Zendejas, working the same online charm offensive that they did with Yunus Musah. 🤳😍🇺🇸

MiB text line is now LIVE

You can now reach Rog via text. That’s right, the MiB text line is now LIVE. Just text ASU to 513-572-3171 or, if you’re on mobile, click THIS LINK to get started and begin receiving messages from Rog (football, musings, MiB announcements, etc.). And we’d love for you to text us as well. Whether you have a question for our next guest, a comment on the Weston move to Leeds, or just want to say hello, we ready.