Left Back Plays Full 90 Minutes After Recent Premier League Bench Role Amid Cottagers' Poor Form
Antonee Robinson made a welcome return to Fulham's starting eleven, playing the complete 90 minutes in their 2-1 FA Cup comeback victory over Stoke City on Saturday after being relegated to the bench for recent Premier League fixtures.
The 28-year-old American left back had found himself out of favor in Fulham's league matches, sitting on the bench against Manchester City on February 11 and Everton on February 7. His last full Premier League appearance came in a 1-0 defeat to Leeds on January 17, while he was substituted after 71 minutes in a match against Manchester United on February 1.
Against Stoke, Robinson was described as "a lively starter down the left" and completed 86 percent of his passes while registering 93 touches throughout the match. Defensively, he contributed six clearances, two interceptions, and eight recoveries, though he struggled to create attacking opportunities, completing none of his three crosses.
The match saw Fulham manager Marco Silva make wholesale changes, bringing in 10 new faces, including Robinson, after the team's poor run of three consecutive defeats across all competitions. While the extensive rotation nearly backfired—Stoke took an early lead through Bae Jun-ho—Fulham rallied in the second half with goals from Kevin and Harrison Reed securing their progression to the fifth round.
For Robinson, who has been touted as a potential unsung hero for the USMNT at the upcoming World Cup, consistent playing time will be essential. His 50 international caps and reputation as one of the Premier League's best attacking full-backs make him indispensable to Mauricio Pochettino's plans, making his recent club struggles a concern heading into the summer tournament.
January's Player of the Month Helps Secure Fifth-Round Spot After Dramatic Penalty Kick Victory
Brenden Aaronson played a crucial role in Leeds United's FA Cup progression, converting his penalty in a 4-2 shootout victory over Birmingham City after a dramatic 1-1 draw at St Andrew's on Sunday.
The 25-year-old American midfielder came off the bench in the second half and stepped up confidently when Leeds needed him most. After Birmingham's Tommy Doyle had his attempt saved by Lucas Perri and before Patrick Roberts blazed wildly over the crossbar, Aaronson calmly slotted home Leeds' third penalty before Sean Longstaff secured the winner.
Despite playing only 52 minutes as a substitute, Aaronson's impact demonstrated why he was recently voted Leeds' Player of the Month for January by the club's supporters. The midfielder dominated the voting with 55 percent support after scoring three goals across six Premier League matches, including a memorable strike against Manchester United.
His performance at Birmingham, though brief, showed the work rate that has defined his resurgence this season. Aaronson completed 79 percent of his passes, created a chance, and contributed defensively with two tackles and three recoveries, though he struggled in duels, winning just three of 16 contests.
The match was a thrilling encounter, with Felix Nmecha giving Leeds the lead in the 49th minute, before Roberts' stunning 89th-minute deflected strike forced extra time. Neither side could break the deadlock over the additional 30 minutes, setting up the decisive shootout.
Aaronson's transformation from being ostracized by the club and fans to becoming a key contributor has been remarkable. His recent form has positioned him as a contender for Mauricio Pochettino's World Cup squad this summer. With Leeds holding a six-point cushion above the relegation zone, manager Daniel Farke can now target a cup run while maintaining Premier League status.
Striker's Championship Form Puts Him in World Cup Contention
Patrick Agyemang continued his impressive debut season in England by scoring his 10th goal of the campaign as Derby County defeated Swansea City 2-0 to move into the Championship play-off places on Saturday.
The 25-year-old American striker delivered a commanding performance at Pride Park, netting a powerful downward header from Callum Elder's corner delivery in the 67th minute to seal the victory. Agyemang dominated in the air throughout the match, winning six of eight aerial duels and proving to be a constant physical presence that troubled Swansea's defense all afternoon.
His goal-scoring form since departing MLS side Charlotte FC last summer for a reported $8 million transfer fee has been remarkable. With 10 goals and three assists across 28 league appearances, Agyemang has established himself as a crucial figure in Derby manager John Eustace's squad, starting 25 matches and logging over 2,100 minutes of playing time.
The East Hartford native's production puts him firmly in the conversation for a spot in Mauricio Pochettino's World Cup squad this summer. His 10-goal tally surpasses fellow American strikers Folarin Balogun and Josh Sargent, both with eight goals, and trails only Ricardo Pepi and Haji Wright, who each have 11.
Against Swansea, Agyemang was Derby's most fouled player, drawing five fouls while winning 11 total duels. His ability to score various types of goals—from clinical finishes to tap-ins and headers—makes him an increasingly versatile attacking option as the World Cup approaches.
Midfielder's Contract Talks Stall Over Wage Demands as He Continues Red-Hot Form
Weston McKennie's impressive form continued in Juventus' dramatic 3-2 defeat to Inter Milan on Saturday, as the American midfielder provided both assists in a pulsating Derby d'Italia at San Siro. Despite the heartbreaking late loss, McKennie's performance highlighted why he has become indispensable to Luciano Spalletti's side this season.
The 27-year-old was instrumental in keeping Juventus competitive against the league leaders. His first assist came in the 26th minute when his cross from the right side found Andrea Cambiaso at the back post, allowing the Italian defender to atone for his earlier own goal. McKennie's second crucial contribution arrived in the 83rd minute, threading a precise pass to Manuel Locatelli, who fired home what appeared to be a dramatic equalizer before Piotr Zielinski's stoppage-time winner crushed Juventus' hopes.
McKennie's two assists bring his tally to seven goal contributions in 2026 alone, extending his remarkable run of form that has seen him achieve a personal best for goals in a single season. Playing the full 90 minutes against Inter, he completed 67% of his passes, created two chances, and registered two shots on target while contributing defensively with an interception and a clearance.
However, his excellent performances have complicated contract negotiations with Juventus. According to reports, McKennie's representatives are seeking approximately double his current salary, between €2.5 million and €3 million per season, plus bonuses he consistently triggers. This significant wage demand has stalled renewal talks for the past 18 months, despite the club viewing him as a priority after securing Kenan Yildiz to a new deal.
Time is becoming critical as McKennie's contract approaches expiry. His marketability in the United States and consistent performances have attracted interest from several European clubs, who are monitoring a potential free transfer this summer. Juventus is eager to accelerate negotiations, but bridging the gap between its offer and McKennie's demands remains challenging.
Winger May Be Unavailable Against Chivas on Saturday
Alejandro Zendejas' availability for Club América's crucial weekend clash against Chivas remains uncertain after the U.S. international was held out of Thursday's Concacaf Champions Cup match against Olimpia as a precautionary measure.
The Mexican-American winger has been managing discomfort since América's recent encounter with Monterrey, where he requested an early substitution to prevent aggravating the issue. While manager André Jardine initially downplayed the severity, calling it minor.
His potential absence looms large over Saturday's National Classic. When Zendejas doesn't feature, América's offensive output noticeably declines—a concerning reality for supporters ahead of the rivalry showdown. The 28-year-old has been in good form when healthy, recently scoring the match-winner against Monterrey on his birthday with a composed 65th-minute strike.
Meanwhile, América has moved to bolster its squad with reinforcements. Brazilian midfielder Vinícius Lima attended the Olimpia match from the stands and has been confirmed ready for the Chivas clash by Jardine. The Concacaf Champions Cup represents a vital objective for Jardine's project, but the absence of Zendejas and midfielder Alan Cervantes forces immediate tactical adjustments as América navigates a demanding schedule across multiple competitions.
American Duo Will Face Off Monday as the Top Two Championship Sides Battle
Two U.S. internationals will be central figures when Coventry hosts Middlesbrough on Monday in a Championship showdown between the division's top two sides.
Aidan Morris has been instrumental in Boro's stunning ascent to first place, starting all eight matches since the new year. The midfielder has impressed in recent outings against Sheffield United and Norwich City, contributing to a side that's collected the most points in the division (31) under new manager Kim Hellberg. Morris has featured in 25 Championship matches this season, starting 22 while recording two assists as Middlesbrough surged two points clear at the summit.
Meanwhile, Haji Wright's fortunes reflect Coventry's recent struggles. The forward has gone scoreless in his last three appearances after finding the net in consecutive matches against Millwall and Leicester City in mid-January. Despite the drought, Wright has tallied 10 Championship goals in 27 matches this season.
The stakes couldn't be higher for Monday's clash at the CBS Arena. Coventry, once 10 points clear in late November, now find themselves looking upward for the first time in four months. Frank Lampard's side has managed just four wins in 13 matches, with their manager acknowledging the mental challenge facing his squad. Middlesbrough arrives riding a six-game winning streak, having revolutionized their approach since Hellberg's appointment following Rob Edwards' departure to Wolves.
Midfielder Made the Bench on Tuesday After Two Months Out With a Knee Injury
Tyler Adams is poised to return to Bournemouth's matchday squad after a two-month absence stemming from a knee injury suffered in December's clash with Manchester United.
The U.S. midfielder was forced off just five minutes into the 4-4 thriller at Old Trafford after colliding with Matheus Cunha while blocking a shot. Manager Andoni Iraola initially feared medial collateral ligament damage, calling it "the worst news from the game." Adams departed with a visible limp, unable to continue despite walking off independently.
The injury came at an inopportune moment for the 26-year-old, who had been thriving with the Cherries. He'd started nearly every Premier League match and earned November's Goal of the Month for a stunning 47-yard strike against Sunderland, adding another goal versus Manchester City earlier in the campaign.
Iraola confirmed Monday that Adams had rejoined first-team training, though Tuesday's trip to Everton appeared premature for his comeback, as he was on the bench. "Tyler will train today," the manager stated. "Maybe it's early for tomorrow, but he's getting closer."
Adams' return would provide crucial reinforcement to Bournemouth's midfield and ease concerns ahead of the 2026 World Cup, where the former USMNT captain figures prominently in Mauricio Pochettino's plans. Following an injury-ravaged 2023-24 season, his resurgence this campaign—32 appearances across all competitions—has been vital to the Cherries' success.
On This Day in 1998, Americans Shock World Champions 1-0 Behind Keller's Heroics and Another Match-Winner From Distance
The semifinal draw had delivered exactly what Steve Sampson's squad both craved and feared: Brazil.
After defeating Costa Rica 2-1 on Saturday to claim first place in Group C, the Americans knew their reward would be a date with the defending World Cup champions at the Los Angeles Coliseum. The Brazilians had stumbled through group play—draws against Jamaica and Guatemala sparked withering criticism back home—but rebounded with a 4-0 demolition of El Salvador to advance as Group A runners-up. Now they stood between the United States and its first Gold Cup final.
The all-time series told a grim tale: eight matches, eight Brazilian victories, a combined score of 19-0 since the teams' last meeting in 1930. More painful still was the recent history—four consecutive tournament eliminations, each by a single goal. Brazil had knocked the Americans out of the 1993 U.S. Cup, the 1994 World Cup round of 16 at Stanford Stadium, the 1995 Copa America semifinals and the 1996 Gold Cup semifinals at this very venue. The pattern was maddeningly consistent: tight matches, resolute American defending, one Brazilian moment of brilliance, elimination.
The Brazilians arrived without roughly half their first-choice squad, including Ronaldo, the two-time FIFA World Player of the Year. But their lineup still featured Romario, the 1994 World Cup Golden Ball winner whose predatory instincts had tormented American defenders for years. Alongside him were Edmundo, the temperamental striker known as "O Animal," and a supporting cast of technical wizards who'd won the ultimate prize just miles away at the Rose Bowl four years earlier.
The Americans would be without Claudio Reyna, sidelined by a groin strain, but gained the crucial return of Kasey Keller. The Leicester City goalkeeper had rejoined the team just two days earlier, fresh off consecutive Premier League shutouts against Leeds, Manchester United, and Liverpool. Brad Friedel, who'd posted back-to-back clean sheets in group play, returned to his backup role at Liverpool. For a match of this magnitude, Sampson wanted his established number one between the posts.
Heavy rain had battered Southern California all week, contributing to a dismal turnout at the cavernous Coliseum. Only 12,298 fans were scattered throughout the stadium on the night of February 10, many wearing Mexican colors in anticipation of Thursday's semifinal. The field, waterlogged and treacherous, looked more suitable for American football than the beautiful game.
The opening 15 minutes were tentative, both teams probing without conviction. Then Romario reminded everyone why he'd been the world's most feared striker just four years prior. In the 11th minute, Eddie Pope's errant pass sent the Brazilian clear. Keller dove to his left, smothering the shot with strong hands.
Two minutes later, the pattern that would define the night began to crystallize. Romario found space again, this time forcing Keller into a reaction save from close range. The goalkeeper, jet-lagged and still adjusting to the Pacific time zone, began to find his rhythm.
The 24th minute brought the save that announced Keller's intentions. Zinho's perfectly weighted pass caught Lalas flat-footed, and Romario surged into the penalty area with only the goalkeeper to beat. The crowd held its breath. Keller held his ground, then dove to his right, clutching the shot at the near post with both hands. Romario, accustomed to such chances finding the net, could only shake his head. Seven minutes later, Edmundo slipped Romario through again. Again, Keller denied him from close range.
At the other end, the Americans struggled to create anything that resembled danger. Brazil's technical superiority and comfort in possession limited the United States to desperate clearances and hopeful long balls. Eric Wynalda managed the only American shot on target in the 15th minute—a tame effort that Claudio Taffarel gathered routinely. Pope's glancing header from a Joe-Max Moore corner sailed well wide.
The 41st minute produced what many considered the save of the match. A pinpoint cross found Romario unmarked just four yards from the goal. His header, perfectly placed and powerfully struck, seemed destined for the net. Keller, reading the flight impossibly well, threw himself upward and clutched the ball from the air. The brilliance of the stop prompted Romario to pause and extend his hand in congratulation—a gesture of professional respect rarely seen on a soccer pitch.
By halftime, Brazil had outshot the Americans 13-3. Keller had made seven saves, several bordering on the stunning. The United States, tactically sound but toothless in attack, had survived. Barely. Brazil emerged from the interval with renewed intensity. Flavio da Conceição's effort from inside the penalty area in the 47th minute rolled just wide. The Brazilians sensed blood, pressing higher, committed to breaking through the wall that was Kasey Keller.
John Harkes fashioned the Americans' first second-half chance in the 56th minute, but his shot flew high and wide. Four minutes later, Sampson made the substitution that would alter history. Preki Radosavljevic entered for Roy Wegerle. Five minutes after stepping onto the field, with his very first touch, Preki delivered again. Wynalda drove up the left flank and cut inside, finding the Serbian-born midfielder in the center of the field approximately 22 yards from goal. Preki feinted right, causing Junior—Brazil's experienced defender—to shift his weight. Then he whirled left, took two touches to create separation, and unleashed his left foot.
The shot screamed toward the near post, a missile of precision and power. Taffarel, the 1994 World Cup winner, launched himself through the air. Too late. The ball bulged the net just inside the upright. The American bench erupted, sprinting toward the sideline where Preki disappeared beneath a pile of delirious teammates. The modest crowd found its voice, chanting "USA! USA!" as the impossible suddenly seemed within reach.
"It feels great," Preki said afterward with characteristic understatement. "To come off the bench and score against a team like Brazil is great." He also said, "It was just one of those things. It was my first touch. I had one chance, and I put it away."
For Sampson, the moment vindicated not just a tactical decision but an entire roster philosophy. The 34-year-old who'd become a U.S. citizen 15 months earlier, who'd won MLS MVP honors with Kansas City, who'd scored the winner against Costa Rica three days prior—this was precisely why Preki wore the jersey.
Brazil, stung and desperate, threw everything forward. The final 25 minutes became an extended siege on Keller's goal. Romario, denied repeatedly in the first half, found himself denied again in the 78th minute when Keller made yet another crucial save. Two minutes later came the moment that nearly shattered American hearts. Edmundo delivered a surgical through ball that caught the defense sleeping. Romario, alone with acres of space, charged toward an empty net as Keller rushed out to challenge. The shot rolled wide. The Coliseum exhaled.
Romario shot wide again in the 83rd minute. Three minutes later, Elber de Souza forced Keller into a diving, one-handed save that preserved the lead and the dream.
When Chilean referee Claudio Puga blew the final whistle, the American bench sprinted onto the field to engulf players who'd just made history. The fans who'd weathered the damp conditions stayed in their seats, chanting and applauding as Keller and Preki conducted television interviews before disappearing down the tunnel.
United States 1, Brazil 0. The first victory in nine all-time meetings. The first goal against Brazil in nearly seven decades. The sixth consecutive American win—a national team record. A nine-game unbeaten streak that tied the all-time mark. "This is one of the four top results in U.S. soccer history," Sampson declared. "It couldn't have happened without phenomenal goalkeeping by Keller and a terrific strike by Radosavljevic," the coach said.
Keller, who made 10 saves, deflected credit while acknowledging the magnitude of the achievement. "There's a lot of times when you make one or two saves to keep your team in the game, but to make three or four is rare. We definitely had a little luck," he said. "They weren't the strongest that we've seen them, but that doesn't take away from our performance tonight. It helps give us a lot of respect coming into the World Cup."
The victory propelled the United States into Sunday's Gold Cup final against Mexico. For American soccer, the result resonated far beyond tournament standings. The upset of Colombia at the 1994 World Cup had announced arrival; this confirmed credibility. Four months before returning to the World Cup stage in France, the Americans had beaten the world champions—proof that the foundation built over a decade of investment and development could produce moments that mattered. The euphoria lasted five days.
Mexico's 91,225 partisan supporters—plus another 6,942 packed into the adjacent Los Angeles Arena watching on closed-circuit television—turned the Coliseum into a deafening cauldron of green, white, and red on Sunday afternoon. The United States would have to navigate one final hurdle to claim the Gold Cup. Luis Hernández, who'd eliminated Jamaica with a golden goal in the semifinals, delivered the decisive blow late in the first half. The Mexican striker dispossessed Lalas just outside the penalty area in the 43rd minute, played a quick combination through Javier Lozano and Salvador Carmona, then darted in front of his marker to head Carmona's fierce cross past Keller.
The Americans created chances—Pope's headers from corner kicks in the 25th and 33rd minutes nearly leveled the match, the second cleared off the line by German Villa—but Mexico's superior finishing in the final third proved decisive. Preki, inserted at halftime in search of more magic, nearly conjured it when his snap shot in the 54th minute flew inches wide. Moments later, his dipping volley whistled over the crossbar after Cobi Jones and Moore had efforts blocked. But there would be no third consecutive Preki winner, no fairy-tale ending to cap the tournament run.
Mexico claimed its third straight Gold Cup title with the 1-0 victory. The Americans departed Los Angeles with silver medals and something more valuable: momentum. They'd won six of seven matches and—most importantly—beaten the world champions. The loss stung, but France beckoned in four months. Sampson's squad boarded their flights knowing they'd proven something crucial: they belonged. Whatever awaited them at the World Cup, they'd face it with the confidence that comes from beating Brazil when it mattered most. The tournament was over. The real test was just beginning.
One spectacular performance might be dismissed as an anomaly, a perfect alignment of circumstance and opportunity. But Bruce Arena's World Cup roster decisions wouldn't be made on a single night's work, no matter how dazzling. With European-based stars still occupied with their clubs, Twellman had a narrow window to prove his January explosion wasn't a fluke.
Japan arrived in San Francisco on February 10, representing exactly the test the U.S. needed. Like the Americans, Zico's squad was deep in World Cup preparation, and the legendary Brazilian coach had assembled a hungry group of J-League players fighting for their own spots on the plane to Germany. This wouldn't be another 5-0 romp. Yet before 37,952 fans at SBC Park, Twellman delivered again.
The New England Revolution forward didn't just score—he orchestrated. In the 24th minute, Todd Dunivant launched a long ball from midfield that Twellman nodded down inside the penalty area, and it fell perfectly for Eddie Pope, who finished past goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi. 15 minutes later, Twellman was at it again, receiving Josh Wolff's pass at the top of the box and immediately redirecting it to Clint Dempsey, who buried his shot into the right corner.
When Landon Donovan whipped in a corner kick in the 50th minute, Twellman attacked it with a diving header that bulged the net for a 3-0 lead. The assist gave Donovan 22 for his international career, tying Cobi Jones's U.S. record.
After going scoreless in his first 12 caps, Twellman now had five goals in four games. More importantly, he had demonstrated versatility—not just a finisher, but a creator, a target forward who could bring others into play while still finding the net himself.
"He's had two very good games," Arena acknowledged afterward, though he remained cautiously noncommittal. "He's certainly putting himself in a good position. It's going to be competitive right down the stretch for everybody. But Taylor certainly hasn't hurt his cause." Donovan was less restrained. "He should go to Vegas, he's been unbelievable," he said. "He's working hard, doing the right things and getting better every game."
The Americans dominated possession and carved apart Japan's experimental six-man midfield throughout the first half. But Zico's halftime adjustments shifted momentum. Japan pulled one back through substitute Seiichiro Maki in the 60th minute, then added a second deep into stoppage time via Yuji Nakazawa, making the final minutes uncomfortable before the U.S. held on for a 3-2 victory.
Arena noted how the substitutions—both teams rotated heavily—affected the flow. "Their substitutions impacted the game," he said. "They threw us off our game a bit."
Still, the result mattered less than the statement. Twellman had answered the follow-up question emphatically. In back-to-back games against World Cup-bound opponents, he had produced four goals and two assists, transforming himself from a talented but unproven international into someone Arena had to seriously consider.
"I just want to be a good target forward and help my teammates out on defense and get in front of the goal," Twellman said, remaining focused on the work ahead.
The team's schedule would only intensify from here. Guatemala awaited on February 19 in Frisco, Texas, followed by two March friendlies in Germany itself—Poland in Kaiserslautern on March 1, then the host nation in Dortmund on March 22, when the European-based players would finally join the squad. Those matches would provide the ultimate measuring stick, the final opportunities for bubble players to separate themselves before Arena's May roster announcement.
For now, though, Twellman had seized his moment. Whether it would be enough remained uncertain, but he had given Arena exactly what any player could: two weeks of undeniable form at precisely the right time.
Alex Freeman took his first steps in European football on Monday, making his Villarreal debut as a second-half substitute in a commanding 4-1 victory over Espanyol. The 21-year-old USMNT defender entered the match in the 73rd minute with his new side already cruising at 4-0, marking the culmination of his move from MLS side Orlando City.
Freeman's January transfer saw Villarreal pay approximately $4 million up front, with the deal potentially rising to over $7 million through performance-based add-ons. The son of former NFL wide receiver Antonio Freeman, he arrived in Spain as the reigning MLS Defender of the Year, having earned the honor after an outstanding 2025 campaign.
Though limited to just 17 minutes of action, Freeman showed composure in his debut, completing 11 of 12 passes while recording one clearance and winning one of two duels. He replaced Santiago Mourino, who has been Villarreal's first-choice right-back since the turn of the year.
The victory lifted Villarreal level on points with third-placed Atlético Madrid at 45, ending a disappointing run of one point from three matches. Freeman now faces competition for playing time as he settles into life in La Liga, while also keeping one eye on securing a spot in the USMNT's World Cup squad this summer after his breakthrough performances in 2025.
