Johnny Sends Betis Through in Conference League

 Midfielder Pressed and Scored the Lone Goal in Victory

U.S. international Johnny Cardoso proved to be the hero for Real Betis on Thursday, scoring the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory over HJK Helsinki that secured the Spanish side's place in the Europa Conference League knockout stages.

The 23-year-old American midfielder capitalized on a crucial defensive error in the 27th minute at the Benito Villamarín Stadium. When Helsinki's goalkeeper Nijhuis attempted a risky pass to a teammate, Cardoso pounced on the loose ball, skillfully dribbled past goalkeeper Thijmen Nijhuis and calmly slotted it into an empty net. It was his first goal of the season and second since joining Betis.

Under manager Manuel Pellegrini, Betis controlled much of the match against their Finnish opponents, who hadn't played a domestic league match since October 19 due to their winter break. Despite facing several absences due to injuries and suspensions, Pellegrini trusted Cardoso to anchor the midfield alongside Sergi Altimira, and the American's performance justified that decision. Cardoso went the full 90 minutes over the weekend in a resilient 2-1 win over Villareal.

The victory was crucial for Betis, who had experienced a mixed European campaign thus far. After starting with a defeat in Warsaw and a draw against Copenhagen, they managed to steady their course with victories over Celje and Petrocub, though they also suffered a setback against Mladá Boleslav. Thursday's win ensures their progression to the knockout phase, where they'll compete in a playoff round before the round of 16.

Currently sitting ninth in La Liga, Betis will look to build on this momentum when they visit Rayo Vallecano on Sunday in their final match of 2024, before returning to action in the Copa del Rey against Huesca in the new year.

Versatile McKennie

 The American Played Left-Back Tuesday, His Seventh Position at Juventus

Weston McKennie continues to prove his remarkable versatility for Juventus, adding yet another position to his impressive repertoire during Tuesday's 4-0 Coppa Italia victory over Cagliari. The U.S. men's national team midfielder showcased his adaptability by playing the full 90 minutes at left-back, marking his first appearance in that role during his five-season tenure with the Italian giants.

The performance at left-back adds to McKennie's growing list of positions since joining Juventus in August of 2020. While primarily deployed as a central or defensive midfielder, the American has demonstrated his tactical flexibility by effectively operating across the midfield spectrum - from left and right midfielder to attacking midfielder. This season has seen him extend his versatility even further, with successful stints as a second striker and now as a left-back.

Tuesday's victory, which saw Juventus advance to the next round of the Coppa Italia, came at a crucial time for the club, who had previously managed just one win in December - a significant upset over Manchester City in the Champions League. The team had drawn five of their previous seven matches before the Cagliari clash.

McKennie's ability to adapt to new roles has made him an invaluable asset for Juventus and the United States. In the 3-1 victory over Jamaica in the Nations League Semifinal in March 2024, McKennie was deplyed out at right back for the second half. His performance against Cagliari, which helped contribute to a clean sheet and comfortable victory, further cements his reputation as one of the most versatile players in Serie A, capable of meeting tactical demands across multiple positions while maintaining consistent performance levels.

Pulisic Back Earlier Than Expected?

 Pulisic Recovery Ahead of Schedule as Milan Plans Contract Extension

Christian Pulisic's injury absence could be shorter than initially feared, with the U.S. international potentially returning to action before the year's end. The winger, who suffered a low-grade tear in his right calf's soleus muscle following a challenge from Atalanta's Mario Pasalic in early December, is showing significant signs of improvement according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

While Monday's clash with Hellas Verona comes too soon, Pulisic is targeting a return to the bench for Milan's December 29 fixture against Roma at San Siro. His return would be a significant boost for the Rossoneri, who have struggled to maintain their attacking fluency in his absence.

Meanwhile, off the field, Milan is moving to secure Pulisic's long-term future. The club is reportedly close to finalizing a contract extension that would keep the American at the San Siro until 2028 or 2029, with an improved salary of €5 million per season. The new deal would reward Pulisic's impressive form this season, which has seen him contribute five goals and five assists in 14 league appearances, plus three goals in the Champions League.

Maloney Dropped

 Midfielder Will Not Feature in Heidenheim's Last Match of 2024

Lennard Maloney has been left out of Heidenheim's final match of 2024 due to concerns over his focus, manager Frank Schmidt confirmed on Friday. The 25-year-old midfielder, who missed last week's match against Stuttgart with a head injury, was also absent for Thursday's 1-1 Europa Conference League draw with St. Gallen.

Schmidt made it clear that Maloney's omission wasn't injury-related, but rather due to the player's current mindset. "He's fit and has been training again. But I decided not to nominate him because he's not in the right shape to be able to fully focus on the sporting task at the moment," Schmidt explained during Friday's press conference. kicker.de

The decision comes amid growing speculation about Maloney's future, with his contract set to expire next summer. While Schmidt insisted the situation isn't directly related to contract negotiations, he acknowledged that "the situation of how things will continue in the winter plays a major role." kicker.de

Since joining from Borussia Dortmund II in 2022, Maloney has been a key figure for Heidenheim, helping the club achieve promotion to the Bundesliga and earning his first two USMNT caps in late 2023. Recent reports suggest the club would demand €3-4 million for a January transfer.

Jan Schöppner and Niklas Dorsch are expected to form the defensive midfield partnership for Sunday's match against last-placed VfL Bochum.

Pepi to the Premier League?

 Premier League Club Rumored Bid for the Striker

U.S. international striker Ricardo Pepi could be headed to the Premier League, with reports confirming a $20.7M (€20M) bid from an unnamed English top-flight club. The offer comes amid a stellar season for the 21-year-old at PSV Eindhoven, where he's netted 14 goals in 23 appearances in all competitions.

Most recently, Pepi demonstrated his clinical finishing with a brace in PSV's 8-0 KNVB Beker victory over Koninklijke HFC. His remarkable form extends to nine goals in his last 10 league appearances, including a hat-trick against former club FC Groningen. The young American has also maintained his scoring touch for the national team, netting in both matches against Jamaica in the Nations League Quarterfinals.

While PSV reportedly seeks a higher fee than the current offer, Pepi's consistent goalscoring despite limited starting opportunities behind veteran Luuk de Jong has attracted attention across Europe. The Dutch club has one remaining match in 2024, a crucial clash with Feyenoord, before the January transfer window opens.

Injury Setback for Weah

 Weah Suffered Hamstring Injury, Will Miss a Couple of Matches

Timothy Weah faces another injury setback after suffering a right hamstring injury during Juventus' Coppa Italia Round of 16 match against Cagliari. The 24-year-old forward, who entered as a substitute in the 81st minute, managed to provide an 'assist' for Nicolás González before being forced off with the injury.

Medical examinations at J|Medical revealed a low-grade injury to the femoral biceps of his right thigh, marking his third minor fitness setback this season. Despite these challenges, Weah has enjoyed a productive campaign, contributing four goals and four assists in 18 appearances across all competitions.

The timing is particularly unfortunate as Weah will miss crucial upcoming fixtures against Monza on December 22 and Fiorentina on December 29. However, he could return for the Italian Super Cup semi-final against AC Milan in early January, where he might face fellow USMNT teammates Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah, who are also currently sidelined with injuries but expected to be available for the tournament.