White's Brace Rescues Point

Striker Scores Twice Ahead of Champions Cup Final in a Few Weeks

Brian White proved his goalscoring prowess once again, netting both goals in Vancouver Whitecaps' impressive comeback to secure a 2-2 draw against Los Angeles FC on Sunday. The American striker's heroics maintained Vancouver's position atop the Western Conference standings with 27 points from their impressive 8-1-3 record.

LAFC appeared to be cruising to victory after taking a two-goal lead within the opening half-hour. Mark Delgado opened the scoring in the 18th minute, capitalizing on a goalmouth scramble to fire home at the back post. Denis Bouanga doubled the advantage from the penalty spot eleven minutes later after Edier Ocampo brought down Ryan Hollingshead.

However, White immediately sparked the comeback in the 26th minute, rising brilliantly to head home Sebastian Berhalter's well-delivered free-kick. The American striker completed the revival with 20 minutes remaining when he positioned himself perfectly to nod in his second header of the match from Ali Ahmed's clever knockdown across the face of the goal.

Despite recording the fewest touches (25) of any outfield player who completed 90 minutes, White made every moment count with his clinical finishing. His aerial dominance was impressive, winning three of four aerial duels while converting both shots on target. The brace elevated White to the joint-top of the MLS Golden Boot race with eight goals in nine appearances this season, alongside Cristian Arango, Hugo Cuypers, and Tai Baribo.

This performance adds to White's remarkable form in 2025, with 13 goals in 17 games across all competitions. Vancouver's resilience extends beyond this match, as they remain unbeaten in their last eleven games across all competitions (6-0-5). The Whitecaps will need to maintain this momentum as they prepare for their historic CONCACAF Champions Cup final against Mexican giants Cruz Azul on June 1, where they aim to become the first Canadian club to win the prestigious tournament.

Dempsey's Last Tottenham Goal

On This Day in 2013, the American's Contribution Kept Tottenham's Champions League Dreams Alive, For Now

Following his heroic but ultimately heartbreaking performance against Basel in April 2013, Clint Dempsey found himself at a crossroads with Tottenham Hotspur. The disappointment of European elimination lingered, but the Premier League campaign demanded his immediate refocus. Dempsey's response was swift and emphatic, scoring in a crucial 3-1 victory over Manchester City on April 21, just ten days after the Basel defeat. This goal launched Spurs' unbeaten run as they desperately chased a coveted Champions League spot.

By mid-May, with three matches remaining in their season, Tottenham found themselves in a familiar position—chasing Arsenal for fourth place. After consecutive draws against Wigan and Chelsea, their visit to the Britannia Stadium on May 12 became nothing short of essential. The match coincided with Stoke City's 150th anniversary celebrations, with club legends like Gordon Banks and Sir Geoff Hurst in attendance, adding another layer of difficulty to Tottenham's challenge.

When Steven Nzonzi headed home Charlie Adam's free-kick in just the third minute, the celebratory atmosphere at the Britannia Stadium threatened to extinguish Tottenham's Champions League aspirations. Spurs needed an immediate response, and Dempsey delivered once again.

In the 20th minute, opportunity presented itself through misfortune, not for the first time in Dempsey's career. Scott Parker's seemingly innocuous pass confused Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic and defender Marc Wilson. As the ball spilled loose, Dempsey reacted with characteristic opportunism, lobbing the ball into an empty net from 30 yards out. It was a goal that epitomized his career, born from relentless positioning, quick thinking, and technical execution when it mattered most.

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The goal shifted momentum dramatically. When Charlie Adam received a second yellow card early in the second half, Tottenham seized control of the match. Dempsey's influence grew beyond his equalizer as he turned provider for Emmanuel Adebayor's 83rd-minute winner. After receiving the ball with space to attack, Dempsey drove forward and slid a perfectly weighted pass across the goal for Adebayor to tap home. The American's ability to both score and create proved decisive.

"What we did was we kept the patience," manager André Villas-Boas remarked afterward. "It would have been very easy for us to lump it forward. We were rewarded in the end for that patience."

For Dempsey, the performance at Stoke continued his reputation as Tottenham's reliable presence in crucial moments. The Guardian named him Man of the Match, noting how his goal-and-assist combination "kept Tottenham's party plans on track." The victory moved Spurs temporarily into fourth place and maintained pressure on Arsenal in the fight for Champions League qualification.

Despite Tottenham's final-day victory over Sunderland—sealed by another Gareth Bale special—Arsenal's win at Newcastle consigned Spurs to fifth place and Europa League football again. Their 72-point total became their highest in the Premier League era (now third), yet it is still insufficient for Champions League qualification.

For Dempsey, attention quickly turned to international duty with the United States national team. In a friendly against Belgium just weeks after the Premier League season concluded, Dempsey scored from the penalty spot in a 4-2 defeat. This goal continued his ascent in the American record books, putting him one goal behind Eric Wynalda to become the second-highest goalscorer in U.S. men's national team history.

While most of his Tottenham teammates prepared for summer breaks, Dempsey's exclusion from Jurgen Klinsmann's preliminary Gold Cup roster suggested a summer of rest before returning to North London, though a move could be on the horizon.

Zendejas Shines as Club América Advances

Winger Scores Twice as Club América Move on to the Clausura Semifinal

Alejandro Zendejas emerged as the hero for Club América in their quarterfinal triumph over Pachuca, scoring both goals in a decisive 2-0 victory that propelled the defending champions into the Liga MX semifinals. After a scoreless first leg, the American winger delivered a masterclass performance at Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes, keeping América's dreams of a historic "Tetracampeonato" (fourth consecutive title) alive.

The 27-year-old broke the deadlock in the 16th minute when a deflected shot from Victor Davila fell fortuitously at his feet. Zendejas wasted no time, firing a clinical left-footed finish beyond goalkeeper Carlos Moreno into the far corner. Just twelve minutes later, he doubled the advantage with a spectacular sliding volley at the back post, connecting perfectly with Kevin Álvarez's cross to give América a commanding lead.

Zendejas was a constant threat throughout the match, registering four shots, three of which were on target, while completing 88% of his passes. His movement inside the opposition box proved problematic for Pachuca's defense, particularly as the visitors were reduced to ten men before halftime when Oussama Idrissi received a second yellow card.

The only concern for América came in the 87th minute when Zendejas appeared to suffer a hamstring injury, forcing his substitution to a standing ovation from appreciative fans. However, the winger later expressed optimism about his condition, telling TUDN: "I'm calm. I just managed to brake when I felt something was going to get to me. I don't think it's anything serious."

With this victory, Club América awaits the winner between León and Cruz Azul in the semifinals. Regardless of their next opponent, Zendejas remains focused on the team's championship ambitions: "The truth is, whoever the opponent is, we care about our own situation, and that's what was evident in this match."

Duo Scratched on Saturday

Robinson and Balogun Each Miss Their Matches Over the Weekend With Injuries

Two key U.S. Men's National Team players, Antonee Robinson and Folarin Balogun, were unavailable for their respective clubs over the weekend due to injury concerns. This could raise questions about their fitness ahead of upcoming international fixtures.

On Saturday, Fulham's Robinson was unexpectedly absent from the squad for their Premier League clash against Everton at Craven Cottage. The dependable left-back, who has been a consistent presence in Marco Silva's lineup throughout the season, was not even named among the substitutes for the home fixture. 

Robinson's absence was described as being for "undisclosed reasons," with no explanation provided by the club for why the 26-year-old defender wasn't available. His omission forced Ryan Sessegnon to fill in at left back, a significant adjustment to Fulham's backline structure. The timing of Robinson's absence is particularly unfortunate, with only two matches remaining in the Premier League campaign.

Without their first-choice left-back, Fulham struggled defensively, particularly in the second half. Despite taking the lead through Raúl Jiménez and dominating the first 45 minutes, the Cottagers conceded three times after the interval, including two goals in a devastating three-minute spell, as Everton secured all three points in a 3-1 victory at Craven Cottage.

Meanwhile, AS Monaco striker Balogun endured another frustrating setback in an injury-disrupted season. The 23-year-old forward, who had only recently returned from a prolonged absence due to a dislocated shoulder, suffered an ankle injury during the final training session ahead of Monaco's crucial match against Lyon on Saturday.

In his post-match press conference, Monaco manager Adi Hütter provided some reassuring news regarding Balogun's condition, stating: "It isn't too serious. " He added that the American striker would be evaluated when the team returns to training on Wednesday after a three-day break. With Champions League qualification secured following their 2-0 victory over Lyon, Hütter indicated he would take no risks with Balogun for Monaco's final fixture against RC Lens.

The timing of these injuries to key USMNT players will certainly concern national team coach Mauricio Pochettino. With frienlies and the Gold Cup on the horizon, the recovery timeline for both players will be closely monitored by fans and coaching staff alike.

McKennie Assist in Draw With Lazio

Midfielder Provided the Cross on the Match's Opening Goal as Juventus Had to Settle for a Draw

Weston McKennie again proved his value to Juventus, delivering a perfect assist in their hard-fought 1-1 draw against Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday. McKennie's contribution highlighted his tactical versatility and importance to Igor Tudor's squad in a match, which had significant implications for Champions League qualification.

Six minutes into the second half, McKennie showed his vision and technical ability by floating an inch-perfect cross from the left flank that found an unmarked Randal Kolo Muani, who headed home from close range to give Juventus the lead. The assist demonstrated McKennie's ability to create chances even when not playing in his preferred position, as Tudor continues to utilize the American in different roles across the midfield.

The match took a dramatic turn when Pierre Kalulu received a red card nine minutes after Juventus' goal, forcing the Bianconeri to defend with ten men for the remainder. Despite a valiant defensive effort, Lazio found an equalizer through Matas Vecino in the sixth minute of stoppage time, sending the Stadio Olimpico into wild celebrations.

The draw leaves Juventus in fourth place in Serie A, level on points with Lazio but ahead on head-to-head record. With just two matches remaining in the season, the race for Champions League qualification remains exceptionally tight, with Roma just one point behind and Bologna and Fiorentina also in contention.

Off the pitch, McKennie showed his lighthearted side in pre-match interviews, joking about his unconventional pasta recipe combining pesto, tomato, chicken and chili oil—which has apparently failed to convince his Italian teammates—and commenting humorously on the recent election of the first American Pope, Leo XIV, saying "now English is the first language in Italy!"

Pulisic Honors Mom With Match-Winner

Milan Completes the Comeback Against Bologna, the Appetizer for the Coppa Italia Final

Christian Pulisic delivered yet another clutch performance for AC Milan, scoring the go-ahead goal in their 3-1 comeback victory over Bologna on Friday night. The American star, who wore his mother Kelley's maiden name "Harlow" on his jersey as part of Milan's Mother's Day tribute, celebrated his 17th goal of the season by pointing to her name and making a heart gesture toward the San Siro faithful.

The USMNT captain's 79th-minute strike proved decisive when he pounced on a blocked João Félix shot to fire home, putting Milan ahead after falling behind to Riccardo Orsolini's second-half opener. Pulisic also contributed an assist on Santiago Gimenez's equalizer, showing quick feet to thread a perfect pass to the Mexican striker, who finished through goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski's legs.

"We've found some consistency now, which is important for us," Pulisic told Sky Sport Italia after the match. "We know that we have a great spirit, but we're playing really good games at the moment."

The victory marks Milan's fourth consecutive win across all competitions and provides perfect momentum heading into Wednesday's Coppa Italia Final - a rematch against Bologna at Rome's Stadio Olimpico on May 14. While Milan sits 17 points behind league leaders Napoli and currently eighth in the Serie A table, a Coppa Italia triumph would secure European football next season and give them their second trophy of the campaign after January's Supercoppa Italiana.

"If we win two trophies in one season, you cannot say that is a normal campaign," Pulisic added. "Of course, we're not satisfied with where we are in Serie A, but we're doing well right now, and it is important that we end the season well."

With Pulisic just one goal away from matching his personal best scoring season, the Rossoneri will look to their American talisman to lead them to glory on Wednesday night.