Pepi Scores in Season Finale

Forward and His Compatriot Finish the Eredivisie Season With a Win

Ricardo Pepi rounded off PSV Eindhoven's Eredivisie season with a penalty in an emphatic 5-1 victory over FC Twente on Saturday, while fellow American Sergiño Dest contributed a solid all-around display from left back.

Pepi's goal came in the 84th minute, converting from the spot after substitute Anass Salah-Eddine had won the penalty. It was a fitting end to a dominant afternoon for Peter Bosz's side, who had already put the game to bed well before the American striker added the gloss. Pepi had actually thought he'd scored earlier, putting the ball in the net in the 21st minute, only to be flagged for offside. He won all three of his ground duels and completed both dribble attempts, bringing a physical presence throughout.

The result was a dominant one for PSV, who led 2-1 at half-time thanks to Ryan Flamingo's early header and Noah Fernandez's effort just before the break, with Twente briefly leveling through Sondre Ørjasæter. Dennis Man and Guus Til extended the lead after the restart before Pepi's late penalty sealed it — PSV's 100th goal of the season.

Dest, operating at left back, was busy and effective. He created two chances, including one big chance, made eight recoveries, and completed three of five dribble attempts. He was cautioned with a yellow card, the one blemish on an otherwise productive afternoon.

For Twente, the defeat confirmed a fourth-place finish, meaning Europa League qualifying rather than Champions League football awaits them next season—a significant blow given how close they came.

Trusty and Celtic Win the SPL

Defender Helped Celtic Seal the Title Against Hearts

Auston Trusty capped a remarkable season by helping Celtic clinch a fifth consecutive Scottish Premiership title on Saturday, as Martin O'Neill's side produced a stunning comeback to beat Hearts 3-1 at a raucous Celtic Park.

The 27-year-old American center-back started and played 73 minutes of one of the most dramatic title deciders Scottish football has seen in years. Hearts had led the table for 250 days this season and went ahead through Lawrence Shankland's header just before half-time, putting Derek McInnes' side on the brink of their first championship since 1960. But Celtic leveled through Arne Engels' penalty after a handball call, and the momentum began to shift.

The decisive moment came in the 87th minute when Daizen Maeda slotted home Callum Osmond's pull-back. The goal was initially ruled out for offside, but a VAR review confirmed Osmond's run had been perfectly timed. With Hearts pushing desperately for an equalizer, Osmond broke clear to add a third in stoppage time, sending the Celtic Park faithful streaming onto the pitch in celebration.

Trusty finished the match having made eight defensive contributions, seven of which came from headed clearances, and completed 72 of 78 passes. It was his 40th appearance of the season and his third trophy as a Celtic player.

"I think putting all this year into perspective, yes, absolutely," Trusty said about it being the best season of his career. "Behind the scenes stuff, there's been highs, there's been lows. But really, to see us come together at this point and to come back in the past few games and really make a mark and win the game, it's fantastic. The guys are just amazing."

The title win adds another remarkable chapter to a career Trusty has built through relentless determination and vivid self-belief. For Celtic, the Scottish Cup Final against Dunfermline Athletic on May 23 is the final match of the season, and for Trusty personally, a potential World Cup call-up looms shortly after.

Aaronson Limps Off

Midfielder Subbed Off Early in Leeds Victory Over Brighton

Brenden Aaronson gave Leeds United and USMNT fans a brief scare on Sunday before manager Daniel Farke allayed fears, confirming the 25-year-old's injury was nothing more than a dead leg.

Aaronson had been putting in a solid shift in Leeds' 1-0 win over Brighton when things took a turn just after halftime. Around the 57th minute, he began visibly struggling, his usual energetic presence noticeably diminished. A minute later, he went to the ground and called for medical attention. After consultations with the medical staff and some manual tests on his left leg, Aaronson limped off the pitch and was replaced, looking concerned but not distraught as he made his way to the bench.

Farke moved quickly to calm nerves afterward. "It was just a dead leg," the Leeds manager said. "He was, even at halftime, on the bike trying to keep going. It normally just lasts a few days, but it was getting tighter and tighter. He should be alright for the next game." That next game is Leeds' season finale against West Ham on May 24.

The timing of any injury is delicate with the World Cup weeks away, and USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino is set to name his 26-man squad on May 26. Aaronson, who has 57 caps and nine international goals to his name, has had a productive Premier League season, scoring four goals and adding five assists in 36 appearances for a Leeds side many had tipped for relegation.

While he hasn't been a regular starter for the national team recently, his club form has strengthened his case for a spot in the squad. If healthy, he profiles as an impact substitute in the mold of his 2022 World Cup role in Qatar. Farke's update suggests that the dream remains firmly intact.

Richards Injury Scare

Defender Needed Help Off the Field After a Draw Against Brentford

Chris Richards endured a nervy end to Sunday's 2-2 draw between Crystal Palace and Brentford, limping off and needing assistance to get down the tunnel at the Gtech Community Stadium after twisting his ankle in the closing stages.

The 26-year-old center-back came off the bench in the 61st minute, replacing the injured Maxence Lacroix, and played the final 29 minutes of the match. The injury occurred when Brentford striker Igor Thiago landed on Richards' ankle after the American had jumped to win a header. Despite clearly being in significant pain, Richards remarkably stayed on the pitch and played through it—a decision that raised eyebrows given the match held little bearing on Palace's season.

Oliver Glasner confirmed the diagnosis afterward, though he stopped short of providing a timeline for recovery. "He twisted his ankle," Glasner said. "I think he got Thiago landing on his ankle, and then it twisted. It's quite swollen, so we have to assess it further, but hopefully he can return in the midweek."

The timing could hardly be worse. Richards, who has made 49 appearances in all competitions for Palace this season, faces a pivotal fortnight. Crystal Palace conclude their Premier League campaign against Arsenal on May 24, before an even bigger occasion three days later—a UEFA Conference League final against Spanish club Rayo Vallecano, which would be the club's first-ever European final.

Beyond the club stage, Richards is also a key figure for the USMNT heading into the home World Cup this summer. Mauricio Pochettino is set to name his 26-man squad on May 26—just two days after Palace's final league fixture.

A rolled ankle can range from a minor setback to a more serious ligament issue, and with so much at stake, the coming days of assessment will be anxiously watched by club and country alike.

Jedi's First Premier League Goal

Defender Converts From the Spot in a Draw With Wolves

Antonee Robinson etched his name into Premier League history on Sunday, scoring his first-ever goal in England's top flight as Fulham drew 1-1 with already-relegated Wolves.

The 28-year-old left back converted a penalty in first-half stoppage time, becoming the 28th American to score in the Premier League in his 157th appearance in the competition. It was his fourth goal in 214 career appearances for Fulham overall, having previously found the net twice in the Championship and once in the Carabao Cup.

The spot-kick came after referee Thomas Kirk, following a pitchside VAR review, ruled that Wolves teenager Mateus Mane had committed a reckless foul on Timothy Castagne in the box. Robinson stepped up coolly, watched goalkeeper José Sá, and sent him the wrong way—exactly as he had practiced the day before.

"We practiced penalties yesterday," Robinson said afterward, "and then on the day in the tactics setup, I saw I was on penalties, so I just did the same penalty I always do. I usually just watch the 'keeper and wait."

Despite the personal milestone, Robinson wasn't in a celebratory mood. He felt partly responsible for Mane's opener and was more focused on trying to turn the draw into a win. "That was my first [Premier League] goal, so I was happy with that," he said, "but obviously didn't look happy as I was kind of at fault for the first goal. Wish I could have celebrated a bit more, but I just wasn't really in that mindset."

The timing of the goal carries additional significance beyond club football. With the 2026 World Cup on home soil just weeks away, Robinson, who has 52 caps for the USMNT and is expected to feature prominently for Mauricio Pochettino's side, is hitting form at exactly the right moment.

Balogun Committed

On This Day in 2023, After Months of Speculation, FIFA approved Balogun's Application for a Switch to Represent the United States National Team

From rumors to ‘open dialogue’ to being spotted in Orlando through an Instagram post to filing the one-time switch, the saga of Folarin Balogun committing his future to the United States men’s national team was full of twists and turns. It concluded when FIFA approved the application. The striker was now an American international.

Born in the United States and raised in England to Nigerian parents, Balogun was eligible to represent any of the three nations. His international career began when he represented England at the 2018 European U17 Championship, where the British were eliminated in the semifinals on penalties by the Netherlands—Balogun missed a penalty in the shootout. A few months later, Balogun accepted a call-up from the US U18 team for the Václav Ježek Youth Tournament in the Czech Republic, where he scored twice as the Americans won the tournament.

Balogun returned to representing England at the U18, U20, and U21 levels from 2019 to 2022. His last contribution for England was helping lead the U21 team to UEFA European qualification by scoring six goals in qualifying, the most in Group G.

Balogun started hot in the 2022-23 club season. Arsenal loaned him to Stade Reims in Ligue 1, and he came out of the gates strong, scoring five goals in the first six matches in the league. The striker finished with 10 goals before the new year, and the rumors of the tri-national making an international decision would come sooner rather than later.

On March 15, interim US manager Anthony Hudson said, “With Flo, all I'll say is that there is open dialogue with him and his team, and that dialogue is continuing. That's all I can say on that one.” On March 19, he scored his 17th goal of the season in a 2-1 defeat against Marseille. With the international break ahead, the US would travel to Grenada for a CONCACAF Nations League group stage match on March 23, then host El Salvador in Orlando on March 27 for the final group match. On March 22, Balogun posted an Instagram picture of himself with a buddy outside a car. Then, Twitter went to work.

Within hours, it was discovered that Balogun was stateside in Orlando, where the USMNT would be training. Speculation of Balogun committing to the USA was at an all-time high. The next day, while the US was in Grenada, Balogun posted another picture of himself training with the caption “the heat! 😮‍💨”, further speculating that he was in Florida. By the evening, he attended the Orlando Magic's 111-106 victory over the New York Knicks. Balogun being in Orlando while the USMNT was there was a coincidence, but Hudson reached out to invite the uncommitted striker to dinner.

“I was with my agent as well, so the timing was good,” Balogun told The Athletic on June 9. “We spoke about a lot of things, and he just explained the vision for U.S. Soccer. In the end, we had a discussion, I went back home, I still had some time to obviously think and take in what he was saying, and then I came to my conclusion.”

The US would beat Grenada and El Salvador during the window, cementing their spot in the Nations League Finals in June. Balogun returned to France and picked up right where he left off, assisting in the first match since the break — a 3-0 win over Nantes. That would be followed by his 18th goal of the season, a 90th-minute equalizer from the spot in a 1-1 draw with Stade Brestois on April 9. Balogun would be held without a goal for his next four matches before scoring in a 2-1 defeat to Lens on May 12. Four days later, on May 16, FIFA approved his application.

Balogun to the US was confirmed. Next up on the calendar was the Nations League Finals, where Balogun could/would make his debut in the semifinals against Mexico.

“Luckily for me, my first time is going to be in a competitive tournament, so of course, the ambition is to win, and there's not really much to it,” Balogun said. “I think I'm going to have the opportunity to train with the boys and just get to know everyone, but for sure, straight down to business when we head over to Vegas.”

But first, Balogun needed to complete his club season, where he scored in two of the final three matches to finish with 21 goals — fourth among Ligue 1 top-goalscorers, behind Kylian Mbappe, Alexandre Lacazette and Jonathan David. That final goal came in a 3-1 defeat to Montpellier on the final day of the season on June 3, and Reims finished 11th in Ligue 1.

 Balogun arrived in Las Vegas three days later for training ahead of the June 15 matchup with Mexico. The striker would debut against the neighbors to the south, and though he didn’t have a goal involvement in the 3-0 win, he was at the center of the biggest scuffle. Cesar Montes chopped Balogun down in the 63rd minute and was shown a red card for his troubles. But not before half of the US team came to Balogun’s defense, leading to the scuffle that gave us the iconic image of Weston McKennie kissing the crest on the torn kit.

Balogun started the final against Canada and doubled the American lead when Gio Reyna played the striker a nicely weighted pass, which was buried past Milan Borjan. The US would win its second Nations League trophy with a 2-0 victory. On Aug 30, Monaco signed Balogun to a five-year deal for a reported £35 million, starting a new chapter in France after his breakout season for Reims.

Bundesliga and Ligue 1 Conclude

Both Leagues Finish Up This Weekend as a Few Americans Close Out Their Club Season

Saturday offers a fitting curtain-call for several Americans in European football, with both the Bundesliga and Ligue 1 concluding their seasons on the same day — just weeks before the World Cup roster is announced.

At Borussia-Park, Gio Reyna and Joe Scally face Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga's final matchday, with Saturday representing one last opportunity to make their case to coach Mauricio Pochettino before he names his World Cup squad. The pair have enjoyed a close bond on and off the pitch this season. Scally reflected warmly on their time together: "We really enjoy the days on the training field, in the locker room, in the car every day. We've definitely enjoyed every day because we know it doesn't last forever."

Scally has been a consistent presence, logging over 2,600 minutes across all competitions and contributing two goals and three assists, amassing over 160 appearances for the club. Reyna's place in the squad is less assured. Having made just four starts in an injury-plagued season, the 23-year-old acknowledged the stakes: "I want to be there. It's a World Cup in your own country. I try not to let it sort of take over my day and stress me out too much, but it is in the back of my mind." A late goal against Augsburg last weekend will have helped his cause.

In Ligue 1, also concluding Saturday, Folarin Balogun and Monaco travel to Strasbourg, with the American striker having contributed 13 goals and four assists in the league this season. Meanwhile, Lyon hosts Lens, though Tanner Tessmann will play no part, listed as out with a muscle injury. Tim Weah also misses Marseille's trip to Rennes through injury, while Mark McKenzie's Toulouse travels to Nantes in what could be his final club appearance before the tournament.

For all six, Saturday marks the end of their club seasons and the start of their World Cup countdown in earnest.

Trusty Fouled for Controversial Penalty

Defender Earned a Late Penalty as Celtic Keep Title Hopes Alive

While American teenagers were grabbing headlines in MLS on Wednesday, one of the more experienced members of the United States World Cup squad was playing a crucial role in one of European football's most dramatic title races, on the other side of the Atlantic.

Auston Trusty, the 27-year-old Celtic center-back, found himself at the center of a hugely contentious moment as Celtic edged Motherwell 3-2 in the Scottish Premiership. With the scores level at 2-2 and the match deep into stoppage time, Trusty went to ground under a challenge from Motherwell's Sam Nicholson near the touchline. Referee John Beaton consulted the pitchside VAR monitor before awarding a penalty, which substitute Kelechi Iheanacho converted in the 99th minute to secure a dramatic victory.

The decision sparked immediate debate. Motherwell were furious, while Celtic fans initially weren't even sure a foul had been committed, with some, including former players in the commentary box, only becoming convinced after multiple replays suggested Nicholson had used his arm. The incident will likely be discussed for days, particularly given its implications for the title race.

Those implications are enormous. Leaders Hearts, who had beaten Falkirk 3-0 on the same evening, will now go into Saturday's final-day showdown at Celtic Park knowing that avoiding defeat will be enough to clinch a first Scottish title since 1960. Celtic, meanwhile, knows a home win would deliver the championship.

On the pitch, Trusty's broader performance was quietly commanding. The American defender made ten clearances, including eight of them off headers, completed 92 percent of his passes from 101 touches, and contributed 13 defensive actions across the 90 minutes.

With the World Cup just weeks away, it is the kind of high-stakes, high-pressure experience that will do no harm to Trusty's preparations whatsoever.

Goalkeeper Battle Takes a Turn

One Earns a Clean Sheet as the Other Makes a Big Error as the Battle Takes Another Turn

With the World Cup just weeks away, the battle for the United States men's national team's starting goalkeeper spot intensified on Wednesday night, and neither Matt Turner nor Matt Freese did their cause any straightforward favors.

Freese, widely considered the frontrunner for the number one shirt heading into the tournament, gave American fans a nervous moment during New York City FC's 1-0 win at Charlotte FC. The 27-year-old appeared to get caught by both an opposing player and his own defender while coming out for a save attempt, and was soon hobbling before going to ground in pain. After a trainer came out to assess the injury, Freese opted to play on and ultimately delivered, recording his fourth clean sheet of the season and his second in less than a week. NYCFC coach Pascal Jansen admitted he hadn't seen the collision itself but spotted a significant mark on Freese's shin at halftime. "They got him pretty bad, but he's a big boy. He'll handle himself," Jansen said, adding that there were "no worries" about the keeper's fitness going forward.

With the US opener against Paraguay in Los Angeles scheduled for June 12, that will come as a relief. Freese has been the primary starter since last summer's Gold Cup, though the race has tightened in recent weeks.

Turner, meanwhile, endured a difficult evening for New England Revolution against Nashville SC, conceding three goals and committing an error that led directly to one of them—playing the ball straight to an opponent while trying to build out from the back. He faced an xGOT of just 1.29, meaning he conceded significantly more than those chances warranted.

Statistically, the pair are remarkably level in MLS this season, with both keeping three clean sheets. Coach Mauricio Pochettino has two more international friendlies to make up his mind before naming his starting goalkeeper, and Wednesday's contrasting nights did little to make that decision any easier, especially after neither separated themselves during the March international break.

Berhalter's Double

The Midfielder Scored His Second and Third Goals in Two Matches in a Win Over Dallas

Sebastian Berhalter is making a compelling case to be part of the United States World Cup squad, and Wednesday night in Frisco, Texas, provided perhaps his strongest argument yet.

The 24-year-old midfielder was the driving force behind Vancouver Whitecaps' 3-2 victory over FC Dallas, scoring twice to record his first multi-goal game of the season and take his tally to six for the campaign—a new career best. His performance earned him the match's player of the match award and moved Vancouver back to the top of the MLS Supporters' Shield standings, extending their unbeaten run to seven matches.

Berhalter's first goal arrived in the 23rd minute and was a testament to both his boldness and his good fortune. Picking up the ball outside the penalty arc, he struck a powerful shot that the Dallas goalkeeper could only parry, with the rebound crashing off the crossbar and into the net to level the scores at 1-1. An own goal shortly after put Vancouver ahead before Dallas pulled level early in the second half.

But Berhalter had the last word. In the 64th minute, after receiving a pass from Kenji Cabrera just outside the area, he unleashed a first-time effort that deflected off the goalkeeper's hands and cannoned in off the back post to seal the points.

The numbers behind his display were equally impressive. He had 81 touches, more than any other player on the pitch, created four chances, completed 81 percent of his passes, and also contributed defensively with two recoveries and an interception.

Perhaps most remarkably, Berhalter has now registered a goal contribution in nine of Vancouver's first 12 games this season, becoming the first player in the club's history to achieve that feat. With the World Cup roster announcement imminent, his timing could hardly be better.