Reports State Midfielder Will Stay in Spain over Break; No Replacement Announced Yet
Real Betis midfielder Johnny Cardoso has withdrawn from the United States men's national team roster for the upcoming CONCACAF Nations League matches. He will remain in Spain to focus on his recovery from a muscle strain. The decision is a significant blow to USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who was counting on the in-form midfielder for the semi-final clash against Panama.
Gonzalo Tortosa reported that Cardoso and teammate Giovani Lo Celso have been receiving treatment at Betis' training facility during the team's day off. "Both have not gone with their national teams to recover, try to reach 100% in #GranDerbi and facing the important end of the season," Tortosa noted (translated).
The 23-year-old New Jersey native has become a crucial player for Manuel Pellegrini's side this season. He has made 33 appearances across all competitions and recently scored in Betis' impressive 2-1 victory over Real Madrid. His absence was already felt when he missed Betis' UEFA Europa Conference League match last Thursday due to injury. Betis sits sixth in La Liga.
Defender Rested With 'Calf Knock' as Celtic Fell to Rangers
Celtic's derby disappointment against Rangers was compounded by the late withdrawal of American defender Auston Trusty. The 26-year-old center-back missed the 3-2 defeat at Parkhead due to a calf injury, leaving manager Brendan Rodgers with limited defensive options ahead of the crucial match.
"Auston picked up a slight calf knock, so he trained yesterday, and likewise, he was too sore for him to be available," Rodgers explained before kickoff.
With Liam Scales also unavailable due to injury, Rodgers was forced to call upon Maik Nawrocki to step into the defensive line against Rangers. The lack of continuity in Celtic's backline proved costly, as they conceded three goals, including a late winner from Hamza Igamane, after fighting back from two goals down.
The defeat marked Celtic's second consecutive loss to their Glasgow rivals during Barry Ferguson's interim management at Rangers. Celtic had the advantage of a whole week's rest, while Rangers had played 120 minutes against Fenerbahce in midweek European action.
Trusty received good news on the international front last week, earning a call-up to the United States national team alongside Celtic teammate Cameron Carter-Vickers for the upcoming CONCACAF Nations League semi-final against Panama. The pair have established themselves as Rodgers' preferred center-back partnership this season as Celtic pursue a domestic treble. But this injury calls Trusty's participation in the match Thursday as no new news about his knock has emerged at the time of publishing.
Fulham's Captain was Solid in the Victory over Tottenham
Antonee Robinson delivered another impressive performance in Fulham's 2-0 victory against Tottenham, continuing to build his reputation as one of the Premier League's most reliable defenders. The win propelled Fulham to eighth place, putting them within striking distance of European qualification.
Robinson was a constant presence on the left flank throughout the match, showcasing his exceptional stamina and defensive prowess. His ability to shut down Tottenham's attacks while providing an attacking outlet himself was crucial to Fulham's success in what was described as a "strange, three-quarter-pace game."
The 27-year-old's outstanding season has fueled speculation about a potential move to Liverpool. Reports suggest he's been their first-choice left-back target. When asked about these rumors, Robinson has maintained a level-headed approach.
"Transfer rumours and stuff like that, I try not to look at," Robinson recently said. "Especially like with the Liverpool one – all my friends and family are from Liverpool, so it's more of them messaging me than me seeing newspaper stuff. And I have to say, 'Look, it's just, just a story in the paper and anyone who's doing well is going to get linked to a team'."
Despite his Liverpool connections—he grew up on Merseyside but was born in Milton Keynes—Robinson remains focused on his Fulham duties. His performances have drawn praise from teammates, including Joachim Andersen, who remarked, "I've never seen a guy who sprints so much like him."
Robinson's consistent performances will be crucial as Fulham manager Marco Silva looks to guide his team to European qualification. His display against Tottenham was another example of why he's become one of the Premier League's most sought-after full-backs.
On This Day in 2019, Dubbed the Medford Messi, the 18-year-old Scored on His Philadelphia Debut
When Brenden Aaronson stepped onto the pitch at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 17, 2019, he was living out a dream years in the making. The 18-year-old Medford, New Jersey native, who had joined the Philadelphia Union Academy at age 11, was about to make his professional debut against the defending MLS champions Atlanta United. Few could have predicted the storybook moment that would follow.
The path to this debut had been carefully crafted. After initially committing to Indiana University, Aaronson chose instead to sign a Homegrown Player deal with the Union in September 2018. Manager Jim Curtin had seen enough in training to trust the teenager with a crucial role, especially after Marco Fabian's suspension created an opening in the starting lineup.
"I'm not scared to start him," Curtin had declared before the match. "He has shown that he can handle pressure, can handle tight spaces, can handle all the things that you ask of a top MLS player. Age is just a number, and Brenden is a guy who has certainly pushed and impressed the coaching staff."
From the opening whistle, Aaronson showed why his manager had such faith. Within the first minute, he forced a corner kick, displaying the relentless work rate that would become his trademark. In the 21st minute, he nearly opened his account, coming inches away from connecting with an Alejandro Bedoya cross that left Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan sporting a black eye.
But it was in the 47th minute that Aaronson truly announced his arrival. Collecting the ball outside the box, he unleashed a right-footed shot that took a fortunate deflection off defender Leandro Gonzalez Pirez's leg and found its way past Guzan. The Union had their first goal from open play of the season, and Aaronson had his first professional goal.
Though Atlanta eventually equalized through Ezequiel Barco to secure a 1-1 draw, the night belonged to the Union's newest star. His performance went beyond just the goal. Aaronson's movement and vision were fully displayed when he threaded a through ball to Fafa Picault. This nearly resulted in another goal, showcasing the playmaking ability that had excited the Union's coaching staff.
The debut would prove to be no fluke. Aaronson became a fixture in Philadelphia's lineup, appearing in 24 of the team's next 27 games as the Union climbed to third place in the Eastern Conference. His consistent performances caught the attention of U.S. Under-23 National Team coach Jason Kreis, who called him into camp by May. Though he finished second in the MLS Rookie of the Year voting to Colorado's Andre Shinyashiki, Aaronson's impact on the Union was undeniable.
For Aaronson, the goal in Atlanta was just the beginning. By the end of the season, he had accumulated three goals and two assists in 28 appearances, with 25 starts. More importantly, he had established himself as one of the brightest young talents in American soccer. This set the stage for his international senior debut in 2020 and what would eventually become a multi-million dollar transfer to Red Bull Salzburg in 2021.
That March evening in Atlanta marked more than just a teenage midfielder's first professional goal – it represented the Union's academy vision coming to fruition, proving that the path from academy to first team could produce not just players but stars.
The United States Men's National Team has established unprecedented dominance in the CONCACAF Nations League, winning all three editions since its inception in 2019-2020.
In the inaugural 2019-2020 tournament, the USMNT topped Group A with 9 points, matching Canada but advancing on goal differential. In the finals, delayed until June 2021 due to COVID-19, they faced Honduras in the semifinal, securing a 1-0 victory through Jordan Pefok's late headed winner. The championship match against Mexico at Denver's Empower Field at Mile High proved dramatic. After falling behind twice, the Americans equalized both times through Giovanni Reyna and Weston McKennie. Christian Pulisic ultimately sealed the victory with a penalty kick in the 114th minute of extra time, while substitute goalkeeper Ethan Horvath saved Andrés Guardado's late penalty to preserve the 3-2 win.
The 2022-2023 tournament saw the USMNT again dominate their group, finishing with 10 points. Under interim coach B.J. Callaghan, they defeated Mexico 3-0 in a heated semifinal that ended prematurely due to homophobic chants after four players received red cards. In the final against Canada at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Chris Richards and Folarin Balogun scored first-half goals to secure a comfortable 2-0 victory. Reyna provided both assists before being substituted at halftime due to injury.
For the 2023-2024 competition, the Americans narrowly advanced past Trinidad and Tobago in the quarterfinals with a 4-2 aggregate score. After falling behind early in the semifinal against Jamaica, they forced extra time with a 95th-minute equalizer before substitute Haji Wright scored twice to win 3-1. The final against Mexico featured another commanding performance, with Tyler Adams scoring just before halftime and Reyna adding a second goal to complete the 2-0 victory at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
These unprecedented three consecutive championships demonstrate regional strength and the USMNT's growing strength in the region while establishing a new rivalry hierarchy within CONCACAF.
Since the First Meeting in 1993, the US Has Dominated, But Not as of Late
The United States Men's National Team will face Panama in the CONCACAF Nations League semifinal on Thursday, March 20. This match marks the 29th meeting between these nations, and the USMNT holds a commanding 18-7-3 all-time record against Los Canaleros in regulation. The teams have gone to penalties in three of those draws, with Panama winning two.
Despite their historical dominance, the Americans enter this semifinal with cautious optimism following one of their most recent encounters with Panama. Their meeting during the 2024 Copa América group stage ended in disappointment for the USA, as Panama secured a 2-1 victory over a 10-man American side. After Tim Weah's early red card, Folarin Balogun briefly gave the USA hope with a 22nd-minute strike. Still, Panama capitalized on their numerical advantage, with César Blackman equalizing four minutes later and José Fajardo scoring the winner in the 83rd minute.
Under new head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who debuted with a 2-0 friendly victory over Panama last October, the USMNT aims to reclaim their Nations League crown. The Americans have established unprecedented success in this tournament, winning all three previous editions (2021, 2023, 2024). A fourth consecutive title would further cement their regional dominance.
Panama enters as a dangerous opponent with growing confidence. Under Danish coach Thomas Christiansen, they've risen from 81st to 43rd in the FIFA rankings since 2020. Their recent tournament performances have been impressive: They finished as runners-up in the 2023 Gold Cup and reached the semifinals in the previous two Nations League tournaments.
The semifinal winner will face Mexico or Canada in the final, with the USA hoping to continue its perfect Nations League championship record. After its Copa América setback against Panama, this match presents an opportunity for revenge and another step toward regional supremacy under Pochettino's leadership.
