Americans in Gladbach's Defeat

Reyna and Scally Both Started in the Bundesliga loss to Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund extended their remarkable home dominance over Borussia Mönchengladbach with a 2-0 victory on Friday, but the match held special significance for two American internationals on the visiting side.

Gio Reyna made his first return to the Westfalenstadion since departing Dortmund for Gladbach last summer, earning just his third straight league start. The 23-year-old attacking midfielder played 65 minutes in an attacking role but struggled to make an impact against his former club. He managed one shot that didn't find the target and completed 26-of-33 passes, though his defensive contributions included two interceptions and a clearance.

"Obviously, giving up a goal early is always hard to overcome at a stadium like Dortmund, but I thought for 50 to 60 minutes of the game, we were there, we had chances, we were in good areas," Reyna said. "So, a little bit more ruthless in front of goal and I think we could walk away with a point."

Joe Scally featured the full 90 minutes at right wing-back for the visitors, though he also found little joy in attack. The 22-year-old completed just 17-of 25-passes. His dribbling attempts were unsuccessful, and his crossing accuracy left much to be desired. Gladbach managed only one shot on target throughout the entire match, reflecting how thoroughly Dortmund controlled proceedings. Julian Brandt's early strike and Maximilian Beier's stoppage-time goal secured Dortmund's 12th consecutive home victory against Gladbach, leaving both Americans to endure a frustrating evening.

Americans Face-off in the Premier League

Aaronson Will Face Richards as Leeds Hosts Crystal Palace Saturday

Leeds United welcome Crystal Palace to Elland Road on Saturday night, with American internationals featuring prominently for both sides in a crucial Premier League clash.

Brenden Aaronson could earn a rare start for the Whites after seeing his playing time diminish under Daniel Farke's new 3-5-2 system. The 25-year-old midfielder has started just nine of Leeds' 15 league matches this season, accumulating 837 minutes while contributing one goal and two assists. In his most recent start against Aston Villa, Aaronson demonstrated his value with an 86% pass completion rate and 8 defensive actions, though his finishing remains a concern. Farke may deploy him just behind striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has scored in four consecutive Premier League games to fuel Leeds' survival bid.

For Palace, Chris Richards is guaranteed to start at center-back after manager Oliver Glasner confirmed his lineup in advance. The defender has been a fixture for the Eagles this season, starting all 16 league matches and logging 1,433 minutes. Richards will anchor a back three alongside Marc Guehi and Maxence Lacroix as Palace look to maintain their push for European qualification while sitting fifth in the table.

Both Americans face pivotal moments: Aaronson seeks to prove his worth in Leeds' relegation fight. At the same time, Richards aims to help Palace extend their strong campaign despite coming off a disappointing loss to Manchester City.

Adams Injury Update

Midfielder Out Three Months With MCL Injury

Tyler Adams faces a challenging road ahead after suffering a torn MCL in Bournemouth's dramatic 4-4 draw with Manchester United. The midfielder lasted just five minutes before being forced off, and manager Andoni Iraola confirmed the severity, estimating a two-to-three-month recovery period—a significant setback for both club and country.

For Bournemouth, losing Adams represents a tactical dilemma. Iraola acknowledged he's "a very unique player, very specific player in what he does," with alternatives like Alex Scott and Lewis Cook offering different qualities than the defensive shield Adams provides. His absence is particularly painful given his strong form this season, featuring 15 league appearances and memorable contributions, including that spectacular long-range goal against Sunderland last month.

The injury's timing creates uncertainty for the United States national team as well. Adams may miss crucial March friendlies against Belgium and Portugal—the final camp before World Cup squad selection. Though the timeline suggests he should recover before the home tournament begins, his persistent injury troubles raise concerns. Adams has struggled to maintain consistent fitness, appearing in only 10 of Mauricio Pochettino's 22 matches as manager.

Still, there's cautious optimism. Unlike a more severe ACL injury, this MCL tear shouldn't derail Adams' World Cup dreams entirely, giving him potential months to regain match sharpness before the summer showcase.