Pepi Scores in Season Finale

Forward and His Compatriot Finish the Eredivisie Season With a Win

Ricardo Pepi rounded off PSV Eindhoven's Eredivisie season with a penalty in an emphatic 5-1 victory over FC Twente on Saturday, while fellow American Sergiño Dest contributed a solid all-around display from left back.

Pepi's goal came in the 84th minute, converting from the spot after substitute Anass Salah-Eddine had won the penalty. It was a fitting end to a dominant afternoon for Peter Bosz's side, who had already put the game to bed well before the American striker added the gloss. Pepi had actually thought he'd scored earlier, putting the ball in the net in the 21st minute, only to be flagged for offside. He won all three of his ground duels and completed both dribble attempts, bringing a physical presence throughout.

The result was a dominant one for PSV, who led 2-1 at half-time thanks to Ryan Flamingo's early header and Noah Fernandez's effort just before the break, with Twente briefly leveling through Sondre Ørjasæter. Dennis Man and Guus Til extended the lead after the restart before Pepi's late penalty sealed it — PSV's 100th goal of the season.

Dest, operating at left back, was busy and effective. He created two chances, including one big chance, made eight recoveries, and completed three of five dribble attempts. He was cautioned with a yellow card, the one blemish on an otherwise productive afternoon.

For Twente, the defeat confirmed a fourth-place finish, meaning Europa League qualifying rather than Champions League football awaits them next season—a significant blow given how close they came.

Trusty and Celtic Win the SPL

Defender Helped Celtic Seal the Title Against Hearts

Auston Trusty capped a remarkable season by helping Celtic clinch a fifth consecutive Scottish Premiership title on Saturday, as Martin O'Neill's side produced a stunning comeback to beat Hearts 3-1 at a raucous Celtic Park.

The 27-year-old American center-back started and played 73 minutes of one of the most dramatic title deciders Scottish football has seen in years. Hearts had led the table for 250 days this season and went ahead through Lawrence Shankland's header just before half-time, putting Derek McInnes' side on the brink of their first championship since 1960. But Celtic leveled through Arne Engels' penalty after a handball call, and the momentum began to shift.

The decisive moment came in the 87th minute when Daizen Maeda slotted home Callum Osmond's pull-back. The goal was initially ruled out for offside, but a VAR review confirmed Osmond's run had been perfectly timed. With Hearts pushing desperately for an equalizer, Osmond broke clear to add a third in stoppage time, sending the Celtic Park faithful streaming onto the pitch in celebration.

Trusty finished the match having made eight defensive contributions, seven of which came from headed clearances, and completed 72 of 78 passes. It was his 40th appearance of the season and his third trophy as a Celtic player.

"I think putting all this year into perspective, yes, absolutely," Trusty said about it being the best season of his career. "Behind the scenes stuff, there's been highs, there's been lows. But really, to see us come together at this point and to come back in the past few games and really make a mark and win the game, it's fantastic. The guys are just amazing."

The title win adds another remarkable chapter to a career Trusty has built through relentless determination and vivid self-belief. For Celtic, the Scottish Cup Final against Dunfermline Athletic on May 23 is the final match of the season, and for Trusty personally, a potential World Cup call-up looms shortly after.

Aaronson Limps Off

Midfielder Subbed Off Early in Leeds Victory Over Brighton

Brenden Aaronson gave Leeds United and USMNT fans a brief scare on Sunday before manager Daniel Farke allayed fears, confirming the 25-year-old's injury was nothing more than a dead leg.

Aaronson had been putting in a solid shift in Leeds' 1-0 win over Brighton when things took a turn just after halftime. Around the 57th minute, he began visibly struggling, his usual energetic presence noticeably diminished. A minute later, he went to the ground and called for medical attention. After consultations with the medical staff and some manual tests on his left leg, Aaronson limped off the pitch and was replaced, looking concerned but not distraught as he made his way to the bench.

Farke moved quickly to calm nerves afterward. "It was just a dead leg," the Leeds manager said. "He was, even at halftime, on the bike trying to keep going. It normally just lasts a few days, but it was getting tighter and tighter. He should be alright for the next game." That next game is Leeds' season finale against West Ham on May 24.

The timing of any injury is delicate with the World Cup weeks away, and USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino is set to name his 26-man squad on May 26. Aaronson, who has 57 caps and nine international goals to his name, has had a productive Premier League season, scoring four goals and adding five assists in 36 appearances for a Leeds side many had tipped for relegation.

While he hasn't been a regular starter for the national team recently, his club form has strengthened his case for a spot in the squad. If healthy, he profiles as an impact substitute in the mold of his 2022 World Cup role in Qatar. Farke's update suggests that the dream remains firmly intact.

Richards Injury Scare

Defender Needed Help Off the Field After a Draw Against Brentford

Chris Richards endured a nervy end to Sunday's 2-2 draw between Crystal Palace and Brentford, limping off and needing assistance to get down the tunnel at the Gtech Community Stadium after twisting his ankle in the closing stages.

The 26-year-old center-back came off the bench in the 61st minute, replacing the injured Maxence Lacroix, and played the final 29 minutes of the match. The injury occurred when Brentford striker Igor Thiago landed on Richards' ankle after the American had jumped to win a header. Despite clearly being in significant pain, Richards remarkably stayed on the pitch and played through it—a decision that raised eyebrows given the match held little bearing on Palace's season.

Oliver Glasner confirmed the diagnosis afterward, though he stopped short of providing a timeline for recovery. "He twisted his ankle," Glasner said. "I think he got Thiago landing on his ankle, and then it twisted. It's quite swollen, so we have to assess it further, but hopefully he can return in the midweek."

The timing could hardly be worse. Richards, who has made 49 appearances in all competitions for Palace this season, faces a pivotal fortnight. Crystal Palace conclude their Premier League campaign against Arsenal on May 24, before an even bigger occasion three days later—a UEFA Conference League final against Spanish club Rayo Vallecano, which would be the club's first-ever European final.

Beyond the club stage, Richards is also a key figure for the USMNT heading into the home World Cup this summer. Mauricio Pochettino is set to name his 26-man squad on May 26—just two days after Palace's final league fixture.

A rolled ankle can range from a minor setback to a more serious ligament issue, and with so much at stake, the coming days of assessment will be anxiously watched by club and country alike.

Jedi's First Premier League Goal

Defender Converts From the Spot in a Draw With Wolves

Antonee Robinson etched his name into Premier League history on Sunday, scoring his first-ever goal in England's top flight as Fulham drew 1-1 with already-relegated Wolves.

The 28-year-old left back converted a penalty in first-half stoppage time, becoming the 28th American to score in the Premier League in his 157th appearance in the competition. It was his fourth goal in 214 career appearances for Fulham overall, having previously found the net twice in the Championship and once in the Carabao Cup.

The spot-kick came after referee Thomas Kirk, following a pitchside VAR review, ruled that Wolves teenager Mateus Mane had committed a reckless foul on Timothy Castagne in the box. Robinson stepped up coolly, watched goalkeeper José Sá, and sent him the wrong way—exactly as he had practiced the day before.

"We practiced penalties yesterday," Robinson said afterward, "and then on the day in the tactics setup, I saw I was on penalties, so I just did the same penalty I always do. I usually just watch the 'keeper and wait."

Despite the personal milestone, Robinson wasn't in a celebratory mood. He felt partly responsible for Mane's opener and was more focused on trying to turn the draw into a win. "That was my first [Premier League] goal, so I was happy with that," he said, "but obviously didn't look happy as I was kind of at fault for the first goal. Wish I could have celebrated a bit more, but I just wasn't really in that mindset."

The timing of the goal carries additional significance beyond club football. With the 2026 World Cup on home soil just weeks away, Robinson, who has 52 caps for the USMNT and is expected to feature prominently for Mauricio Pochettino's side, is hitting form at exactly the right moment.