McKennie's Acrobatic Goal

Midfielder Continued His Stellar Start to 2026 With Scissor-Kick Goal

Weston McKennie delivered a standout performance on Sunday as Juventus dismantled Parma 4-1 at Stadio Ennio Tardini, with the 27-year-old American scoring a spectacular goal and playing a key role in one of the Bianconeri's best displays of the season.

McKennie made his 23rd consecutive start for Luciano Spalletti's side, and his goal came just before halftime when Pierre Kalulu's right-wing cross found the midfielder in space. McKennie executed an acrobatic scissor kick volley that flew into the bottom corner past goalkeeper Edoardo Corvi, doubling Juventus' advantage after Gleison Bremer had opened the scoring from a corner in the 15th minute.

The goal marked McKennie's fourth of 2026 and his sixth of the overall season, placing him among the most productive midfielders in Serie A. He completed 83% of his 59 passes, registered nine touches inside the opposition box, and created two chances for teammates. Defensively, he contributed three tackles, three clearances, and four recoveries while winning 71% of his ground duels.

Beyond the goal itself, McKennie was also involved in the buildup to Juventus' third strike. His headed effort from a short free kick struck the crossbar, but the rebound fell to Jonathan David, with Bremer ensuring the ball crossed the line to restore Juventus' two-goal cushion after Parma had pulled one back through an own goal.

The victory propelled Juventus into fourth place in Serie A with 45 points, 10 behind league leaders Inter Milan. McKennie played 74 minutes before being substituted as Spalletti rotated ahead of a congested schedule that includes a Coppa Italia quarterfinal against Atalanta on Thursday and a two-legged Champions League playoff tie against Galatasaray later in the month.

Balogun's Assist in Monaco Win

Forward Provided the Setup to Monaco's Opener in Victory Over Rennes

Folarin Balogun played a crucial role in AS Monaco's return to winning ways on Saturday, providing the assist for the opening goal in a commanding 4-0 victory over Stade Rennais at Stade Louis-II, though his evening was cut short due to an apparent injury.

The 24-year-old United States international delivered a well-placed pass in the 33rd minute that allowed Ansu Fati to convert with a clinical, low-angled finish. It marked Balogun's third assist of the Ligue 1 season, and his involvement in the buildup to another goal helped Monaco secure their first victory of 2026 after a difficult start to the calendar year.

Despite playing just 56 minutes before being substituted by Mika Biereth, Balogun's contribution was vital to Monaco's dominant performance. He registered one shot on target from a tight angle late in the first half and completed 80% of his passes, though he struggled in physical duels, winning none of his six contested battles. His brief appearance yielded 10 touches, with two coming inside the opposition's penalty area. Apparently, the early substitution was a precaution for some hamstring tightness.

While questions persist about his league goalscoring form—just four Ligue 1 goals this season isn't sufficient for a striker of his caliber—Balogun's creative contributions demonstrate his value to Sébastien Pocognoli's system. The victory was particularly significant for Monaco, which had secured Champions League playoff qualification against Juventus midweek and needed momentum heading into the competition's knockout stages.

Off the pitch, Balogun joined teammate Timothy Weah in expressing concern about ticket prices for this summer's World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. "It is difficult for me to resonate because I'm not buying the tickets, but growing up, I watched the World Cup on TV, and it has a magical effect," Balogun told reporters. "The World Cup is always memorable for people for different reasons. Of course, I'd want it to be affordable."

Johnny's First 90 Minutes in La Liga This Season

Midfielder Continues to Progress as Atletico Drew With Levante

Johnny Cardoso endured a challenging evening at Estadio Ciudad de Valencia on Saturday as Atletico Madrid were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by relegation-threatened Levante, a result that left Diego Simeone's side nine points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona.

The 24-year-old American midfielder completed his first full 90 minutes in La Liga this season, having previously only played a complete match against Deportivo La Coruna in the Copa del Rey on January 13. His performance was characterized by industry and composure in possession but ultimately reflected Atletico's broader struggles to create meaningful attacking opportunities.

Cardoso completed the most passes of any player on the pitch with 54 successful deliveries from 59 attempts, achieving an impressive 92% accuracy rate. He also led all participants with 81 touches, attempting to dictate tempo from central midfield. His defensive contributions were significant, registering six tackles, two interceptions, two clearances, and five recoveries while winning 64% of his ground duels.

Despite his industrious display, the statistics highlighted Atletico's offensive deficiencies. Cardoso registered zero touches in the opposition penalty area and created no chances, though he did attempt 10 passes into the final third. His lone shot was blocked by Levante's defense, with Nico Gonzalez firing the rebound into the side netting just before halftime in one of Atletico's few threatening moments.

The match represented another difficult away performance for Simeone's side. While Cardoso provided stability and ball retention, Atletico desperately lacked the creative spark needed to unlock a determined Levante backline fighting for survival. With concerns mounting over injuries to Alexander Sorloth and Pablo Barrios from the same fixture, Cardoso's durability offers some consolation.

Tillman's Third Goal in Four Days

After a Brace in the Champions League, Midfielder Scored Again Over the Weekend

Malik Tillman's red-hot form continued on Saturday as Bayer Leverkusen defeated Eintracht Frankfurt 3-1, with the American midfielder netting his third goal in two matches following his brace against Villarreal in the Champions League.

The 23-year-old United States international delivered a composed finish just before halftime, picking out the bottom-right corner from just inside the penalty area to double Leverkusen's advantage after Arthur had opened the scoring in the 26th minute. The strike showcased Tillman's clinical edge, converting his only shot of the match.

"It's about time I scored more often," Tillman said afterward. "We didn't start the year so well, but I think we're slowly finding our feet again. And every win obviously boosts our confidence. Hopefully it continues like this."

Tillman's recent scoring run has been crucial for Leverkusen's resurgence after a difficult start to 2026. The victory at Deutsche Bank Park marked their third consecutive win following three straight defeats to open the calendar year. His six goals this season trail only Alejandro Grimaldo's 11 and Patrik Schick's nine among Leverkusen players in all competitions.

Beyond his goalscoring contribution, Tillman completed 89% of his passes during his 82 minutes on the pitch, winning half of his ground duels and contributing defensively with two tackles. His all-around performance helped Kasper Hjulmand's side maintain control despite Frankfurt's second-half pressure after Robin Koch pulled one back early in the restart before Aleix Garcia sealed the win with a goal in second-half stoppage time.

The victory lifted Leverkusen to sixth in the Bundesliga table, just one point behind fifth-placed RB Leipzig with a game in hand. Frankfurt's struggles continued, extending their winless run to six matches and marking their seventh consecutive defeat against Leverkusen. Manager Hjulmand praised his team's first-half performance while acknowledging room for improvement as they prepare for a DFB-Pokal quarter-final against St. Pauli on Tuesday.

Agyemang's Monster Header

Forwards Skied to Score Derby County's Fourth Goal in Big Win Over Bristol City

Derby County's emphatic 5-0 victory over Bristol City on Friday saw American striker Patrick Agyemang continue his impressive debut season in English football, netting his ninth goal of the campaign.

The 25-year-old forward delivered the fourth goal of Derby's dominant display at Ashton Gate in the 66th minute. Rising above Bristol City defender George Tanner, Agyemang powerfully headed home Joe Ward's cross from the right wing, directing the ball back across goal and into the bottom corner. The goal marked his third in four appearances for the Rams.

Despite losing the most duels in the match with 14 unsuccessful challenges and winning just 30% of his aerial battles, Agyemang's clinical finishing proved decisive. His performance included four total shots with one on target, completing 79% of his passes during his 71 minutes on the pitch.

The comprehensive victory propelled Derby from 11th to seventh place in the Championship table, closing in on a coveted play-off spot. John Eustace's side had raced into a commanding 3-0 lead within 36 minutes through Rhian Brewster, Ben Brereton Diaz, and Bobby Clark before Agyemang extended the advantage after the hour mark. Substitute Lars-Jorgen Salvesen completed the rout late on, making it five different scorers.

For Derby, this represented their largest Championship win since March 2019 and their first 5-0 away victory since 1959. The result also marked their fourth victory in six league matches, demonstrating the Rams' strong form heading into crucial home fixtures against Ipswich Town and Swansea City, where Agyemang will look to maintain his scoring momentum.