Turner to Start

 Goalkeeper Will Start FA Cup Match Sunday

Matt Turner will make his second appearance for Crystal Palace this weekend, with manager Oliver Glasner confirming he'll start Sunday's FA Cup match against Stockport County at Selhurst Park.

Turner, who joined Palace on loan from Nottingham Forest, has had to be patient for opportunities behind Dean Henderson. His only previous appearance came in October's 2-1 Carabao Cup victory over Aston Villa.

"Matt Turner will start — he deserves it like he deserved to start at Villa," Glasner confirmed at Friday's press conference, noting that Turner would have gotten the nod regardless of Henderson's current illness.

The 30-year-old goalkeeper may face an additional challenge, as Palace's squad has been hit by a wave of illness this week. Several players have missed training, though Glasner praised the intensity of sessions with the available players as they prepare for both Sunday's cup tie and Wednesday's Premier League match at Leicester City.

Pepi Offered New Contract

 Striker May Stay at PSV Despite the Transfer Buzz

Ricardo Pepi is on the verge of making a major commitment to PSV Eindhoven, with reports indicating a contract extension until 2030 is about 90% complete. Despite attracting interest from Liverpool and receiving a substantial $20+ million bid from an unnamed Premier League club, as well as attention from a major French team, PSV appears set to secure their talented forward's future.

The 22-year-old has impressed this season despite playing second fiddle to captain Luuk de Jong, netting 10 goals in 15 Eredivisie appearances. With de Jong's contract expiring this summer, Pepi is positioned to become PSV's primary striker moving forward.

This weekend, PSV hosts AZ Alkmaar at the Philips Stadium in a compelling matchup. The league leaders enter the contest with a commanding six-point advantage at the top of the table. While AZ has found form recently, winning their last five league matches, PSV's home record is formidable – they've won all their home games this season and have only failed to win once at the Philips Stadium in 2024. The hosts will be looking to maintain their impressive form and extend their lead at the summit of the Eredivisie.

Americans Lift a Trophy

Trailing by Two Goals, AC Milan Came Back to Capture Supercoppa Italiana

Christian Pulisic continued his impressive form for AC Milan, scoring a crucial equalizer in a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Inter Milan to claim the Supercoppa Italiana on Monday. The American international netted his 10th goal of the season in the 80th minute, cleverly creating space before firing through through the Carlos Augusto's legs to level the score at 2-2.

The 26-year-old, who recently returned from a month-long absence due to a calf injury, has now scored in consecutive matches following his goal in Friday's semifinal win over Juventus. His impact wasn't limited to scoring, as he also played a key role in Tammy Abraham's stoppage-time winner with a well-placed pass for Rafael Leao to supply the cross.

Fellow American Yunus Musah put in a solid shift in midfield before being substituted, earning praise for his positioning and ability to progress the ball forward. His swift movement and ball control helped Milan unlock several attacking opportunities during his 77 minutes on the pitch.

The victory marked new manager Sergio Conceicao's first trophy after just one week in charge, with Pulisic crediting the coach's emphasis on "hunger" over tactics for the team's turnaround. The American attacker has now reached double figures in goals for the second-straight season with Milan, having scored 15 times in the previous campaign.

January Friendlies Roster

Pochettino Name His First Roster of 2025

U.S. Men's National Team head coach Mauricio Pochettino has called 24 players to Fort Lauderdale for his first January camp, with the squad heavily featuring MLS talent ahead of two Florida-based friendlies against Venezuela and Costa Rica.

The roster reflects the traditional January camp emphasis on domestic players, with 23 of the 24 players coming from MLS clubs. The Columbus Crew and CF Montreal lead club representation with three players each. A blend of experience and fresh faces characterizes the selection, with veterans Tim Ream (66 caps), Walker Zimmerman (41), and Miles Robinson (30) providing leadership alongside seven first-time call-ups.

The camp represents a crucial opportunity for players to impress ahead of a busy 2025 schedule that includes the Concacaf Nations League Finals and Gold Cup - the final tournaments before the 2026 World Cup on home soil. The January camp can serve as a springboard to World Cup rosters, with notable recent success stories including current squad members Jesús Ferreira, Tim Ream and Walker Zimmerman.

The U.S. will face Venezuela on January 18 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale before taking on Costa Rica on January 22 at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando.

Roster (from US Soccer):

GOALKEEPERS (4): Drake Callender (Inter Miami; 0/0), Matt Freese (New York City FC; 0/0), Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew; 2/0), Zack Steffen (Colorado Rapids; 29/0)

DEFENDERS (9): Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew; 0/0), George Campbell (CF Montréal; 0/0), DeJuan Jones (Columbus Crew; 8/0), Shaq Moore (FC Dallas; 19/1), Jalen Neal (CF Montréal; 6/0), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC; 66/1), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati; 30/3), John Tolkin (New York Red Bulls; 4/0), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC; 41/3)

MIDFIELDERS (4): Benjamin Cremaschi (Inter Miami; 1/0), Emeka Eneli (Real Salt Lake; 0/0), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake; 1/0), Jack McGlynn (Philadelphia Union; 1/0)

FORWARDS (7): Patrick Agyemang (Charlotte FC; 0/0), Caden Clark (CF Montréal; 0/0), Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas; 23/15), Brian Gutiérrez (Chicago Fire; 0/0), Matko Miljevic (Unattached; 0/0), Indiana Vassilev (St. Louis CITY; 0/0), Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps; 1/0)

Trusty Scores His First Celtic Goal

Centerback Scored Celtic's Second in Victory over St. Mirren

Auston Trusty marked a memorable milestone in his Celtic career by scoring his first goal for the club in a commanding 3-0 victory over St Mirren at Celtic Park. The American defender, who joined the Scottish champions in a £6 million move from Sheffield United on transfer deadline day, demonstrated his aerial prowess by powering home a header from Arne Engels' precise left-wing corner kick past goalkeeper Zach Hemming.

Nicolas Kuhn stole the headlines with a clinical double, taking his impressive season tally to 16 goals, but it was Trusty's breakthrough moment that added another dimension to Celtic's attacking arsenal. The defender joined an increasingly prolific group of Celtic backline players to find the net this season, including fellow-American Cameron Carter Vickers, who also played 90 minutes in the win.

The comprehensive win highlighted Celtic's remarkable offensive output under Brendan Rodgers, with the team now having scored 55 goals in just 20 league matches. Their attacking prowess has been a defining feature of their campaign, though they face an intriguing challenge in their next fixture against Dundee United – the only Scottish side to have kept them scoreless this season following a goalless draw at Tannadice last month.

Looking ahead to Wednesday's rematch with Dundee United at Celtic Park, Trusty will be eager to build on his first goal. His celebration, marked by a triumphant fist pump, captured the defender's joy at opening his Celtic account. As the champions continue their title defense, Trusty's ability to contribute at both ends of the pitch adds another valuable dimension to Rodgers' high-scoring side.

American Duo Sparks Comeback

Milan's American Pair Influential in Supercoppa Comeback Against Juventus

In a clash featuring four USMNT stars, AC Milan's American contingent proved decisive as the Rossoneri came from behind to defeat Juventus 2-1 in the Italian Supercoppa semifinal on Friday at Riyadh's Al-Awwal Park, setting up a Milan derby final against Inter.

Despite a quiet first hour, Christian Pulisic made his mark on the match in the 71st minute when he was brought down in the penalty area by Manuel Locatelli. The American winger, who had struggled to impact the game until that point, stepped up to take the spot kick himself and converted despite goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio getting a touch on the ball, bringing Milan level.

Just four minutes later, it was Yunus Musah who turned the game on its head. The midfielder, who had come on as a substitute for Ismael Bennacer, made an immediate impact with his energy and drive. His cross from the right flank forced an unfortunate own goal from Federico Gatti, completing Milan's comeback and ultimately proving to be the winner. Musah's performance off the bench was particularly noteworthy, as he not only contributed to the winning goal but also excelled when shifted to right-back later in the match.

For Juventus, Weston McKennie nearly found an equalizer in the 84th minute, but Milan's defense held firm. The versatile American, who has been impressing at left-back for the Bianconeri this season, also made his presence felt earlier when his deflection from an Emerson Royal cross forced a save from Maignan. Tim Weah, the fourth American involved in the match, had a quieter evening after subbing on for McKennie late in the match. Juventus struggled to maintain their first-half momentum after going ahead through Kenan Yildiz's opener.

The victory marked a perfect start for new Milan manager Sergio Conceicao, though the Portuguese coach will likely feel fortunate given his team's underwhelming first-half display. For Juventus, it marked their first defeat to an Italian side this season, with coach Thiago Motta's substitution decisions coming under scrutiny as the Bianconeri failed to capitalize on their early dominance.

The result sets up an intriguing Derby della Madonnina final against Inter on Monday, with Milan's American duo of Pulisic and Musah looking to build on their match-winning contributions from the semifinal.

Richards' Challenging First-Half

Defender Has Been on the Outside at Crystal Palace, but Starting to Emerge

Defender Chris Richards ended 2024 on a high note, helping Crystal Palace secure a crucial 2-1 victory over Southampton that pushed the Eagles six points clear of the relegation zone. The 24-year-old started in a back three alongside Trevoh Chalobah and Maxence Lacroix, filling in for suspended captain Marc Guehi.

"It's a good three points to end the year and an important three points for us," Richards said, reflecting on the victory. "I feel good and feel happy."

After representing the U.S. in the Copa America, Richards established himself in the Palace lineup during August and September before a hamstring injury against Manchester United derailed his momentum.

"I'd say a bit frustrating," Richards admitted about his inconsistent playing time due to injury and competition from summer signings. "Last year, at least towards the end of the season, I played a lot, but we've been on a little run this season and I had an injury spell as well."

After returning to fitness in November, Richards has fought to regain his place in the starting lineup, but over the last two months, he has only made four appearances and two starts in the Premier League. That most recent performance in the victory over Southampton should help his case in the new year, but it has been a tough road into Oliver Glasner's starting XI.

Looking ahead to their match against Chelsea, Richards acknowledged the difficulty of facing the in-form Blues but remained confident in Palace's approach. The Eagles will need to maintain the defensive solidity they showed against Southampton while supporting attacking players like Ebere Eze, whose winning goal against the Saints marked just his second Premier League strike of the season, need to continue to produce.

Adams Available

 After Missing Out Against Fulham, Available Against Evert This Weekend

U.S. midfielder Tyler Adams has been cleared to return for Bournemouth's Premier League clash with Everton on Saturday, providing a significant boost to Andoni Iraola's squad. The 25-year-old midfielder missed last weekend's match against Fulham with what has been described as a "very small" muscle issue.

Adams' availability comes at a crucial time for the Cherries, who are enjoying a remarkable season and currently sit seventh in the Premier League table, just one point behind Manchester City. His return to fitness is particularly welcoming given his injury-plagued start to life at the Vitality Stadium, where he's made nine Premier League appearances this season after missing the first two months while recovering from back surgery.

The match against Everton promises to be a stern test for Bournemouth, with Iraola highlighting the Toffees' impressive recent form against top opposition. "They are a dangerous team... they've played this month against Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, and they haven't lost," the Spaniard noted, adding that Everton's defensive record of seven clean sheets makes them particularly formidable.

The last meeting between these sides produced one of the Premier League's most dramatic comebacks, with Bournemouth turning a 2-0 deficit in the 86th minute into a stunning 3-2 victory. However, Iraola is hoping for a more straightforward affair this time around, emphasizing the need for tactical discipline and patience against Everton's robust defense, which has conceded less than a goal per game in their last 13 matches.

Robinson Ready for Strong 2025

Fullback Produced an Interesting Stat in 2024, the Best Year of His Career So Far

Antonee Robinson continues to establish himself as one of the Premier League's most dynamic full-backs, with his creative output this season elevating to new heights. The American defender has been in scintillating form, notching his seventh league assist of the current campaign with a precise right-footed cross for Harry Wilson's goal against Bournemouth last weekend.

Robinson's creative numbers put him in elite company, with only Mohamed Salah and Bukayo Saka providing more Premier League assists this season. His contribution to Fulham's attack has been particularly evident during their current seven-game unbeaten run, though Marco Silva's side will be frustrated that only two of those matches have resulted in victories.

The left-back's impact throughout 2024 has been historically significant for Fulham, with his ten Premier League assists matching Luis Boa Morte's club record for a single calendar year, set in 2005. Moreover, Robinson joins Newcastle's Kieran Trippier in a unique Premier League stat, becoming only the second player to record 10+ assists in a calendar year without scoring a goal.

Looking ahead to Saturday's match against Ipswich Town, Silva's side will aim to convert their unbeaten form into three points against Kieran McKenna's resurgent team. The Tractor Boys arrive at Craven Cottage buoyed by an impressive 2-0 victory over Chelsea and have won two of their last four matches in their fight for Premier League survival.

Silva has highlighted the threat posed by Ipswich's attacking duo of Omari Hutchinson and Liam Delap, while also recalling the challenging 1-1 draw at Portman Road earlier this season.

CCV and Celtic Looking Rebound After Ranger Loss

Celtic Host St. Mirren Three Days After Derby Defeat

The spotlight is on American defenders Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty as Celtic look to recover from their disappointing 3-0 Old Firm defeat when they face St. Mirren this Sunday. The loss, despite Celtic maintaining an 11-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership, has raised questions about manager Brendan Rodgers' defensive selections.

Carter-Vickers, who has become a cornerstone of Celtic's defense with 134 appearances since joining from Tottenham, has recently attracted interest from Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen. He has played the full 90 minutes in the last three league matches and 120 minutes in the Scottish League Cup Final victory over Rangers on December 15.

Meanwhile, Trusty's absence from the starting lineup at Ibrox has sparked debate among supporters. The defender, who impressed in Celtic's goalless draw against Atalanta in Bergamo, hasn't featured since being substituted at halftime in the League Cup final three weeks ago. His omission from the Old Firm derby, where Liam Scales partnered Carter-Vickers instead, has been particularly scrutinized following Celtic's defensive struggles.

The St. Mirren match presents an opportunity for Celtic to demonstrate that their Old Firm setback was merely a blip in their title defense. With questions surrounding the defensive lineup, all eyes will be on Rodgers' team selection, particularly regarding whether Trusty will return to partner his international teammate Carter-Vickers in central defense.