McKennie 'a Nuisance' in Defense Again

 McKennie Has Started the Last Five Matches as a Left-Back

Weston McKennie's remarkable versatility has been put to the test at Juventus this season, with the American midfielder finding himself in an unlikely role as a left-back amid the club's defensive crisis. 

While McKennie has adapted admirably to various positions, transitioning from the bench to dynamic central midfielder and now to fullback, recent performances suggest this makeshift solution may not be sustainable. The limitations of this tactical adjustment were particularly evident in the Supercoppa Italia semi-final against AC Milan, where McKennie struggled against Christian Pulisic.

On Sunday, Juventus' winless run extended to four matches in the 1-1 draw with Torino's — McKennie fifth-straight at left-back. He completed 49-of-52 passes and had four clearances. He was involved in an early altercation with the Torino bench when he went over for a throw-in. It was enough for the Torino bench to confront McKennie and his teammates, but after a couple of pleasantries and handshakes, play resumed.

Fellow American Tim Weah replaced Samuel Mbangula in the 77th minute and within a few touches, he immediately unleashed a long-distance effort that needed to be saved. It was the third time off the bench in as many matches.

Juventus's need to address their defensive depth has become increasingly urgent. The season-ending ACL injury to Juan Cabal, coupled with Danilo potentially heading toward the exit door, has left the squad thin at the back. While Jonas Rouhi hasn't consistently impressed and Andrea Cambiaso is dealing with fitness issues, the club appears to be exploring transfer market solutions.

The club's current situation could lead to changes in the January transfer window, with reports linking them to Barcelona's Ronald Araújo as their primary defensive target. The Bianconeri are also evaluating internal options, including the potential return of Riccardo Turicchia from his loan spell at Catanzaro, though the young fullback's limited playing time in Serie B raises questions about his readiness for top-flight football. For now, McKennie continues to fill in at left-back, demonstrating his commitment to the team's needs despite playing out of his natural position.

Maloney to Mainz... in the Summer?

Midfielder to Join Bundesliga Squad on a Free Transfer when His Contract Expires

Lennard Maloney's time at FC Heidenheim appears to be drawing to a close, with the US midfielder reportedly agreeing to join FSV Mainz 05 when his contract expires this summer. The 25-year-old was notably absent from Heidenheim's squad during their recent 2-0 victory over Union Berlin, fueling speculation about his immediate future.

While several clubs including Birmingham City and PAOK Thessaloniki had expressed interest in Maloney, the twice-capped USMNT player has chosen Mainz as his next destination. Despite the possibility of securing a transfer fee this winter, Heidenheim seems prepared to let Maloney's contract run its course.

Heidenheim has already begun preparing for life after Maloney, securing Jan Schöppner to a long-term contract extension. The club has also strengthened its squad this winter with the arrival of Frans Krätzig on loan from Bayern Munich, who made an immediate impact by scoring in the victory over Union Berlin.

At Mainz, Maloney could potentially fill a crucial role in the midfield, particularly if current starter Nadiem Amiri departs as rumored. The Rhineland-Palatinate club currently deploys a midfield partnership of Amiri and Kaishu Sano, suggesting Maloney could slot in as a direct replacement should Amiri move on in the summer.

Celtic Duo Strong Again

 Trusty Wants to Play With Carter-Vickers at the World Cup

Celtic's American defensive duo of Auston Trusty and Cameron Carter-Vickers continued to strengthen their case for international recognition in the 4-1 victory over Ross County, as both players look ahead to the 2026 World Cup on home soil.

Trusty, who recently returned to the starting lineup after a spell out with illness, has been vocal about his ambitions to partner Carter-Vickers not just for Celtic but also for the United States national team. The center-back's recent performances, including the weekend's commanding display against County, demonstrate why these aspirations might not be far-fetched.

"That'd be amazing [to play with Cameron at the World Cup]," Trusty recently told reporters. "I think that's absolutely on my mind and I'm sure for Cameron too, it's on his mind as well. We have to do our job here, and doing our job here allows us to propel ourselves into consideration for that team."

The Celtic faithful has even introduced a new chant for Trusty and Carter-Vickers called ‘American Boys'. Trusty said, "it's just a really good feeling. I've had some messages about it from home and they're just loving it. It's a little bit different being in the States and you're not here so you don't really feel the atmosphere."

The path to international starting XI isn't straightforward for either player. At club level, they face strong competition, with Liam Scales pushing for a starting spot in Brendan Rodgers' side. Scales' impressive performances during Trusty's recent absence serve as a reminder that places in Celtic's defense must be earned and maintained through consistent performances.

However, the prospect of two Celtic defenders anchoring the United States' backline at a home World Cup in 2026 offers an intriguing possibility for both club and country. Their growing understanding at Celtic Park could prove invaluable for the national team, where defensive partnerships often suffer from limited time together.

For now, both players remain focused on their Celtic duties, knowing that international recognition will follow strong domestic performances. As Trusty emphasized, "Take care of business here, then that'd be amazing."

Morris Back in Training

Midfielder Expected to Return to Training This Week

Middlesbrough's Aidan Morris is working his way back to fitness after being sidelined since November with a knee injury suffered while on international duty with the US. The summer signing from Columbus Crew had made an impressive start to his Middlesbrough career before the setback, with the team winning only four of the 12 games during his absence.

Morris has begun light training as part of his rehabilitation program and was spotted doing some running work on the Riverside pitch following Middlesbrough's recent FA Cup defeat to Blackburn Rovers. Manager Michael Carrick confirmed that Morris is expected to rejoin full team training next week, though he won't be rushed back into action.

The midfielder could be available for Saturday's match against Portsmouth, but that will depend on a good week of training. His return will be a welcome boost for Middlesbrough, as Morris had excelled in the first third of the season before his extended absence.

Haji on the Move?

The Striker has Premier League Intrigue as He Waits to Return from Injury

Coventry City striker Haji Wright continues to attract Premier League interest despite being sidelined with an ankle injury, with the American international's future at the CBS Arena becoming increasingly uncertain during the January transfer window.

Wright, who joined the Sky Blues for a club-record £7.7 million in summer 2023, has already proven his worth with seven goals in 15 Championship appearances this season before suffering ankle ligament damage at Sunderland in early November. The injury has kept him out of action for 10 games, with manager Frank Lampard confirming the striker is yet to return to training.

"Haji is not back on the grass yet," Lampard said. "It's a difficult injury, an impact and we're just making sure he's comfortable before he goes out. So he's actually been in this week doing a lot of cardio and doing what he can. I haven't got a clear date for you on that before he gets on the grass." Coventry Live

Despite his absence, Wright's goal-scoring record – which included 19 goals in his debut season – has reportedly caught the attention of Premier League relegation-fighting Leicester City and Ipswich Town. However, recent developments suggest the transfer speculation may be cooling, with Ipswich Town correspondent Alex Jones of the East Anglian Daily Times reporting that Wright "is not a player of interest" for the Tractor Boys. 

Leicester City's interest also appears to be waning, with local reports indicating that Foxes manager Ruud van Nistelrooy is prioritizing other positions during the January window, specifically targeting a center-back, full-back, and winger rather than adding to his attacking options.

The transfer speculation comes at a challenging time for Coventry, who sit 15th in the Championship under new manager Frank Lampard. The Sky Blues are currently six points clear of the relegation zone but 11 points adrift of the playoff positions, with their mixed form – three wins, three draws, and three defeats under Lampard – potentially making it difficult to retain key players like Wright. With Wright still recovering from injury and the club already missing several key players – including captain Ben Sheaf and Ephron Mason-Clark – any January departure would significantly impact their squad depth for the remainder of the season.

Scally Ready for Bayern Munich

Fullback Excited for 'Showcase' Against the League Leaders

Joe Scally is ready for another big test against Bayern Munich as Borussia Mönchengladbach hosts the Bundesliga leaders at Borussia Park on Saturday. The 22-year-old right back, who made his Bundesliga debut against Bayern in a 1-1 draw in August 2021, sees the match as an opportunity to exhibit his abilities against one of Europe's elite teams.

"You always get up for these kinds of games," Scally said, who has earned 19 caps for the USMNT. "You always want to showcase yourself, prove that you can play with the best players in the world. So far, it always has played into our favor. We have always turned up for the games." Forbes

Gladbach has indeed been a tough opponent for Bayern, particularly at home where they hold a winning record (23-19-14) against the Bavarian giants. Scally himself has experienced both success and setbacks against Bayern, with an overall record of one win, two draws, and two defeats – including a memorable 5-0 victory in the DFB Pokal.

The match presents additional intrigue as Bayern returns from the winter break with several personnel challenges. Star midfielder Jamal Musiala is sidelined with flu, while Manuel Neuer returns to goal following a rib injury that had kept him out since early December.

For Scally, matches like these provide an opportunity to catch the eye of U.S. national team coach Mauricio Pochettino ahead of the 2026 World Cup. "Bayern is arguably the best team in the world and they currently sit at the top of the league," he remarked. "Games like these provide immense motivation, and it feels like we have nothing to lose. We just have to step on the field and showcase our talents." FootBoom

Horvath Shines in FA Cup

 Goalkeeper Keeps Clean Sheet in First Start since August

Ethan Horvath made a triumphant return to Cardiff City's starting lineup, keeping a vital clean sheet in the Bluebirds' impressive 1-0 FA Cup victory over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. The American goalkeeper, making his first appearance since the August 31 defeat to Middlesbrough, proved decisive in helping Cardiff advance to the fourth round of the competition.

The match's defining moment came through rising star Cian Ashford, who continued his excellent recent form with a brilliant solo effort. The 20-year-old academy product showed both strength and skill to dispossess Rhys Norrington-Davies before driving forward and finishing clinically past Adam Davies at the near post.

Horvath was called into action throughout the match, particularly after the break when Sheffield United emerged with renewed vigor following Chris Wilder's halftime team talk. The keeper handled everything thrown at him, including testing efforts from Ryan One and Rhian Brewster as the hosts pushed for an equalizer.

The Blades came closest to leveling the score in the 88th minute when Harrison Burrows cut in from the left and unleashed a curling effort that beat Horvath but struck the post, much to Cardiff's relief. It was one of several crucial moments where the visitors' defense held firm under pressure.

The victory marks Cardiff's fourth consecutive unbeaten match under Omer Riza, offering a potential springboard for the second half of their Championship campaign. For Horvath, the clean sheet represents a perfect return to action. He made seven saves on the evening after being left on the bench the last 21 matches in the Championship.

Maloney Out at Heidenheim

After Transfer Request, Midfielder Out of Matchday Squad

Lennard Maloney will be absent from FC Heidenheim's squad for Saturday's match against Union Berlin, as manager Frank Schmidt confirmed the midfielder's desire to leave the club during the winter transfer window.

The 25-year-old vice-captain, who has just six months remaining on his contract, was already excluded from Heidenheim's final two matches of 2024 due to concerns over his focus. Following discussions during the winter training camp, Schmidt addressed the situation at Friday's press conference.

"We spoke to him again because it was important for me to clarify the situation," Schmidt explained. "He told us that he still wants to leave in the winter and anyone who knows me knows that I need players who see a future here." BuliNews

According to Sky Germany, several clubs are interested in acquiring Maloney, including English Championship side Birmingham City and Greek outfit PAOK Thessaloniki. Additionally, three unnamed Bundesliga clubs from the bottom half of the table are monitoring the defensive midfielder's situation.

Maloney's exclusion adds to Schmidt's selection challenges for the Union Berlin match. The manager will also be without Mathias Honsak due to a muscle injury, while Leo Scienza remains doubtful and Marvin Pieringer is suspended. With the transfer window now open and Maloney's contract running down, a move appears imminent for the American international as he looks to secure his future at a new club.

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.