A Historic Night in the Champions League 🇺🇸

What a time to be an American soccer fan.

Just when it feels like there are no more “firsts” to be achieved, two stars of the USMNT go and insert themselves into the annals of U.S. soccer history. And on a famous European night, no less.

When Tim Weah scooped a pinpoint pass to Juventus teammate Weston McKennie, for the USMNT midfielder to volley home with equal parts style and power (watch), it marked the first time ever that an American has assisted an American in the Champions League.

The wonder of the goal aside, it’s also worth noting that McKennie’s ferocious hit sealed a 2-0 win for Juve against the champions of England, Manchester City. 

Big goals on big nights, for big clubs against big clubs. Does it get any better than that?

Well, if you’re Gio Reyna, it does. The American midfielder made his first start of the season for Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, and in one of BVB’s biggest games of the season, against Barcelona in the Champions League.

While Dortmund ultimately fell, 3-2, Reyna made it all the way to the 73rd minute, with the score tied at 1-1 when he was subbed off. Playing at the top of a midfield three, the 22-year-old from Bedford, N.Y. gave a good showing of himself overall, making some incisive passes, and tracking back well on defense. His performance certainly had to be viewed favorably by Nuri Sahin and the Dortmund coaching staff, and will hopefully lead to more starts in the near future.

Here’s to a night of firsts for Tim, Wes, and Gio. May our boys abroad continue to shock and amaze us in the coming months.

More USMNT in UCL Goodness

With their 0-0 draw at Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday, Celtic made it four straight games undefeated in the Champions League, which has them in 21st place and currently qualifying to advance with two matches left to play.

At the heart of the Glasgow defense were USMNT center backs Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty, with both playing the full 90 minutes of the shutout. CCV was even named Player of the Match for his efforts.

Celtic are now undefeated in the Champions League when the two Americans are in the starting lineup (1W 2D 0L). May these Euro-merican Nights never end.

More: Trusty Calls Playing in Champions League “A Dream Come True”

American Boy Helps Leeds Go Top

It may not have taken place during midweek European football, but given the snarling bearpit of a stadium that is Elland Road, the atmosphere was likely no less pressure-filled and intense than what was experienced in Turin and Dortmund.

Brenden Aaronson scored his fifth goal of the season (watch) in Leeds United’s 3-1 win over Middlesbrough on Tuesday. The 92nd-minute finish sealed the win over seventh-placed Boro, and lifted Leeds to the top of the Championship table (although Sheffield United would reclaim the top spot on Wednesday with a 1-0 win at Millwall).

More: “We’re Building a Fortress at Home,” says Aaronson 📹

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The Puli Report

Some tough news out of the San Siro, as AC Milan announced on Monday that Christian Pulisic has a torn muscle in his right calf, and could be out until January. The injury was suffered during Milan’s 2-1 loss at Atalanta on Friday. Per ESPN, “Pulisic could return for the Italian Super Cup semifinal matches against Juventus in Saudi Arabia on Jan. 3.”

While Pulisic was unable to play in Milan’s midweek Champions League fixture, his USMNT teammate Yunus Musah started and played 83 minutes in the Rossoneri’s 2-1 win on Wednesday.

Pulisic ‘24-25 Club Stats in All Comps: 20 App.| 17 Starts | 8 Goals | 5 Assists

“He’s One of the Best Left-Backs in the Premier League”

Those were the words spoken by none other than Fulham boss Marco Silva, about Antonee Robinson, after Jedi had effectively shut down Arsenal’s all-world right wing Bukayo Saka, in the Cottagers’ 1-1 draw with the title challengers on Sunday.

Silva went on to praise, not just Jedi’s defending, but his ability to make a huge impact in attack as well, something echoed by former Fulham and Manchester United striker Louis Saha. Saha was asked whom he believed could transform Ruben Amorim’s side, and he was quick to mention Robinson.

“Antonee Robinson could help transform Manchester United’s team because he is not just great at creating chances and getting forward but he is also a leader,” said Saha. “Usually captains are in the middle of the pitch but he has captained Fulham from left-back this season and he brings so much enthusiasm.”

Here’s to you, Mr. Robinson. Captain. Leader. Legend.

News and Notes

• Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola elaborated on why Tyler Adams was left out of the squad for the Cherries’ 2-1 win at Ipswich on Sunday. “He finished the (Dec. 5 Spurs game) with cramps everywhere,” Iraola told the Bournemouth Echo. “Cramps not just in one place, cramps everywhere.” When asked if Adams would play against West Ham on Monday, the manager replied, “I hope so.”

• Must-Watch Goal of the Week: Pitchside view of Richy Ledezma’s banger for PSV in their 6-1 win over Twente on Friday. The sound the ball makes when slamming off the post, combined with the joy on his face during the interview afterwards makes the video truly something to behold.

• PSV II: Truly great to see this gent traveling with the squad during their European adventures.

• Leeds United States of America may be making a comeback. The Yorkshire side has reportedly shown interest in 21-year-old Real Salt Lake attacker Diego Luna.

• More MLS to England … Bournemouth have reportedly agreed to a deal in principle with D.C. United to bring USYNT center back Matai Akinmobi.

• Great news out of Belgium … Westerlo has extended Griffin Yow’s contract for another year, according to a source close to the player.

• U.S. Soccer has announced a second friendly for the USMNT in January, this one taking place on Jan. 22 against Costa Rica in Orlando. The U.S. will also play against Venezuela on Jan. 18 in Ft. Lauderdale. 🌴🦩

Final Touch

The TV numbers are in, and American’s second tier must be quite pleased, indeed. News dropped on Saturday that the Nov. 23 USL Championship Final which saw Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC beat Rhode Island FC, 3-0, drew 431,000 viewers on CBS, marking the largest TV audience in league history. Congratulations to the Switchbacks, and to the USL on the conclusion of a great season. It’s always an amazing thing to see signs of football’s continued growth in this country; there’s actually a USL League One team (Westchester SC) close to where I live in New York that will start play in 2025. Cannot wait to catch a match next year. 🙌

–Randy Kim

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