Aaronson's Late Goal Against Wolfsberger

On This Day in 2022, Aaronson Continued His Most Productive Season to Date

Brenden Aaronson's star continued to rise in February 2022, with the American midfielder adding another highlight to what was already proving to be a breakthrough season for Red Bull Salzburg. The 21-year-old's campaign was firm in his second season in Europe, accumulating four goals and eight assists across 29 appearances in all competitions.

His growing influence was best displayed in Salzburg's impressive UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg against Bayern Munich on February 16. Against the Bundesliga giants, Aaronson showcased his creative abilities by providing a clever flicked assist to Chukwubuike Adamu, becoming just the fourth U.S. international to record an assist in the Champions League knockout stages. The Medford, New Jersey native nearly doubled his impact minutes later, forcing Bayern goalkeeper Sven Ulreich into a diving save with a well-struck left-footed effort.

The performance against Bayern had caught the attention of clubs across Europe. Leeds United had already shown their interest through a $20 million bid in the January transfer window, an offer that Salzburg deemed insufficient for their prized midfielder.

Four days after the Bayern clash on February 20, Aaronson demonstrated his remarkable stamina and quality by delivering another standout performance in Salzburg's crucial league matchup against second-placed Wolfsberger. Despite the quick turnaround from Champions League action, he showed no signs of fatigue as he played the full 90 minutes.

His impact on the game peaked in the closing stages when he scored Salzburg's second goal to secure a 2-0 victory. The sequence exemplified Aaronson's box-to-box abilities, as he initiated the attack with a long pass from midfield before making a decisive run into the penalty area. When Maurits Kjaergaard delivered a low cross from the left, Aaronson was perfectly positioned at the far post to finish from just outside the six-yard box.

The victory extended Salzburg's lead at the top of the Austrian Bundesliga to 17 points, putting them firmly on course for another league title. However, the momentum of Aaronson's stellar season would face an unexpected setback following this match. A knee injury would force him to withdraw from the upcoming World Cup qualifiers with the U.S. Men's National Team, where he had been the only player to appear in all 11 matches of the qualifying campaign at the time. The MCL injury would sideline him for a month and a half, temporarily halting what had been a some solid form for both club and country.

Johnson Scores in Tune-up Win

On This Day in 2006, After Being Traded Away from Dallas a Few Days Earlier, the Striker Scores for the National Team on his Former Home Field

Eddie Johnson had already established himself as a prolific scorer for the U.S. Men's National Team. His goal-scoring prowess was particularly evident in World Cup qualifying, where he scored seven goals in six matches, putting him third all-time in team history at the time. After battling toe injuries that limited his 2005 season with FC Dallas, Johnson found himself on the move just days before a friendly against Guatemala when he was traded to the Kansas City Wizards on February 14.

The trade left Johnson feeling slighted, and he made his feelings known dramatically during the February 19 friendly at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas. After entering as a halftime substitute, Johnson needed just 67 seconds to make his mark, splitting two defenders and finishing past Guatemalan goalkeeper Ricardo Jerez. His celebration spoke volumes as he turned his back to the crowd at his former home stadium and defiantly pulled at his U.S. jersey.

"I couldn't ask for anything else but to score a goal," Johnson said afterward. "It made me feel good about myself. It's kind of a slap back in their face, saying, 'Why are you trading me?'"

The goal, Johnson's ninth in just 12 international appearances, was part of a commanding 4-0 victory for the Americans. Chris Klein starred with a goal and two assists, setting up Ben Olsen and Brian Ching, as the U.S. continued their strong World Cup preparation form despite missing several key players. The European-based contingent was absent, while players from the Los Angeles Galaxy and New England Revolution were released to prepare for CONCACAF Champions Cup matches.

The central defensive pairing of Eddie Pope and Jimmy Conrad impressed, with U.S. coach Bruce Arena noting it as "one of the strengths of our team." The duo were the only players to start all four friendlies during the domestic camp, with Conrad making a strong push for World Cup roster consideration alongside the veteran Pope, a two-time World Cup veteran.

Despite the chilly conditions at Pizza Hut Park, with a 24-degree wind chill at kickoff, 14,453 fans turned out to watch the Americans' final domestic tune-up before the World Cup. While impressive on scoreline, the result came against a Guatemala side that showed the effects of having gathered less than a week before the match, in contrast to the U.S. team's seven weeks of daily training.

The win improved the U.S. to 3-0-1 in their 2006 schedule, with European-based friendlies against Poland and Germany on the horizon as Bruce Arena's squad continued their preparation for that summer's World Cup in Germany. The match also marked the debut of Nike's new U.S. World Cup jerseys, inspired by the 1950 team that famously defeated England.

Pefok's Late Europa League Winner

On This Day in 2021, the Striker, Yet to Represent the US, Nets Winner in Seven-Goal Thriller

After a difficult start to his Young Boys career, during which he failed to score in his first 10 Swiss Super League appearances, Jordan Pefok found his scoring touch spectacularly during the 2020-21 season. The Washington D.C.-born striker, on loan from French side Rennes, netted 10 goals in 23 league appearances and was proving to be a key figure in Young Boys' attack.

But in the Europa League Round of 32 first leg against Bayer Leverkusen, Pefok announced himself on the European stage. On the memorable February 18 night in Switzerland, Young Boys raced to a stunning 3-0 first-half lead against their German opponents. Pefok contributed one of the goals alongside strikes from Christian Fassnacht and Meschack Elia.

The comfortable lead wouldn't last, as Leverkusen mounted a fierce comeback. Patrik Schick led the charge with two goals as the Bundesliga side fought back to level the match at 3-3, threatening to overturn Young Boys' early advantage. However, with just one minute remaining in regular time, Pefok emerged as the hero, scoring his second goal of the match to give Young Boys a dramatic 4-3 victory.

It was an effortless finish for Pefok. After Gianluca Gaudino's effort was saved onto the post, Pefok crashed the net and was the quickest to the tap-in. The brace was part of a three-goal performance across both legs as Young Boys eliminated Leverkusen 6-3 on aggregate. Though their European journey would end in the next round with a 5-0 aggregate loss to Ajax, Pefok's performances had caught attention well beyond Switzerland.

Just weeks after his Europa League heroics, Pefok received his first call-up to the U.S. Men's National Team in March. The 24-year-old striker, eligible to represent France (where he had previously played at the U-21 level) and Cameroon through his parents, declared his intention to represent the United States.

"Yes, I have decided," Pefok said. "I made my choice a few weeks ago. I will be very happy to play for the USMNT. I am very focused right now with YB and hope to play with the national team- if that possibility is presented."

He debuted during that March international window, starting the second match against Jamaica. Pefok made his most significant impact on the national team when three months later, on June 3, he nodded home the 89th-minute winner to secure a spot in the Nations League Final with a 1-0 win over Honduras.

Sargent Scoring at the Right Time

Striker Keeps Scoring as Norwich Draws with Hull City

Josh Sargent continued his remarkable scoring form on Saturday, netting his fifth goal in five games to help Norwich City secure a 1-1 draw against struggling Hull City in the Championship. The American striker's clinical finish came just two minutes after halftime, providing a crucial equalizer for the Canaries who had fallen behind in the first half.

The goal showcased Sargent's predatory instincts, as he made a decisive run to the near post to meet a cross from teammate Kellen Fisher. His glancing header proved unstoppable, demonstrating why he's considered one of the Championship's premier strikers. The goal was particularly noteworthy as it came during a period when Norwich needed inspiration, having been largely outplayed in the first half.

Hull had taken the lead through Matt Crooks, who capitalized on Lewie Coyle's well-placed pull-back to give the hosts a deserved advantage. However, Sargent's equalizer shifted the match's momentum, with Norwich showing significantly more attacking intent in the second half. The Canaries even had opportunities to secure all three points, most notably when Borja Sainz struck the post and saw his follow-up attempt deflected wide.

The draw leaves Norwich four points behind the Championship play-off places. Still, manager Johannes Hoff Thorup remained optimistic about his team's prospects, particularly highlighting Sargent's importance to the side. "When you have a player like him, you are always in the game," Thorup noted, emphasizing the need to create more opportunities for his in-form striker.

In an amusing subplot to the match, a squirrel's pitch invasion during the build-up to Sargent's goal added an unexpected element to the proceedings. Thorup later joked about the possibility of the furry pitch invader being from his own garden. The incident quickly became a talking point on social media, with Norwich fans playfully calling for the club to sign up their newfound lucky charm.

Celtic Duo Ready for Munich

Pair Earned Clean Sheet Against Dundee Before Champions League Match Wednesday

Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty enjoyed a relatively comfortable afternoon at the heart of Celtic's defense as they helped secure another clean sheet in their convincing victory over Dundee United on Saturday. The center-back pairing, who will face a significantly sterner test against Bayern Munich in Tuesday's Champions League play-off second leg, were rarely troubled by the visitors at Celtic Park.

Carter-Vickers demonstrated his usual composure in dealing with United striker Sam Dalby while contributing to Celtic's build-up play with precise passing to the wide areas. The American international's assured performance was particularly encouraging ahead of the crucial European fixture, where Celtic will attempt to overturn a 2-1 deficit in Germany.

Trusty, meanwhile, had a quiet defensive shift but made his mark going forward, providing the assist for Jota's excellent goal. The defender also showed his attacking instincts late in the game, nearly adding his name to the scoresheet with a half-volley attempt in stoppage time that went wide of the target.

After the match, Carter-Vickers expressed confidence about Celtic's chances in Munich, citing their improved second-half performance in the first leg. He highlighted Celtic's defensive solidity in the first leg, noting that despite conceding twice, they had limited Bayern's clear-cut chances.

"As long as it's one goal, it's definitely game on," he stated. "For us, it’s probably about going over there and either trying to keep that scoreline or better it for as long as we can, and trying to take the game over there to the dying minutes of that game."

The defensive duo's solid performance against Dundee United helped maintain Celtic's impressive home record in the Scottish Premiership. They have conceded in just one league game at Celtic Park all season. This defensive stability will be crucial as they prepare for what promises to be a challenging night in Munich.

U17 Clinch World Cup Bid

Young National Team Beat Cuba to Advance to World Cup in November

The United States Under-17 Men's National Team secured their record 19th FIFA U-17 World Cup qualification with a professional 2-0 victory over Cuba in their final Concacaf U-17 Qualifier match. The win completed a perfect group stage campaign for the Americans, who finished with a remarkable 31-0 goal differential across their three games.

Despite facing their toughest test of the tournament against a defensively organized Cuban side, the U.S. breakthrough came in the 23rd minute through the prolific Chase Adams. The forward, who took his impressive tournament tally to 11 goals, finished clinically at the far post after captain Maximo Carrizo drove to the byline and delivered a precise low cross.

The lead was doubled eight minutes later when Carrizo turned from provider to scorer, meeting Jamir Johnson's cross with a first-time finish to effectively seal qualification for Qatar 2025. The two-goal cushion reflected the Americans' dominance. However, Cuba showed resilience and threatened occasionally on the counter-attack, forcing U.S. goalkeeper Jack Kortkamp into his busiest performance of the qualifiers, including a spectacular save from Lazaro Diaz's long-range effort in the 69th minute.

The team's 31 goals set a new U.S. record for these qualifiers, surpassing their previous best of 28 goals in 2019. The U.S. will head to Qatar to add to its impressive record in the tournament, including a third-place finish in 1999 and quarter-final appearances in 1991, 1993, 2003, 2005, and 2017. The U.S. shared the record for most U-17 World Cup appearances with Brazil, who will have a chance to qualify for their 19th appearance in April.

Maloney Mainz Debut

Midfielder Subs On for First Appearance for New Club

Lennard Maloney made his eagerly anticipated Mainz debut Sunday against his former club Heidenheim, entering the match in the 79th minute as a substitute for Nadiem Amiri. The American midfielder, who joined Mainz in January with a contract through 2028, finally got his first taste of action after being an unused substitute in his first three matches with his new club.

The timing of Maloney's introduction came as Mainz was looking to protect their 2-0 lead, earned through Jonathan Burkhardt's first-half strike and Nelson Weiper's second-half goal. During his 11-minute cameo, Maloney showed glimpses of why Mainz sporting director Niko Bungert praised his defensive qualities upon signing him, winning a crucial aerial duel and making two clearances as the visitors came under late pressure from his former teammates. The 24-year-old defensive midfielder completed four of his eight attempted passes, including one accurate long ball and two passes into the final third, as Mainz successfully saw out the victory.

The debut marked a significant moment for Maloney, who had described Mainz as a "great fit" following his winter transfer. His introduction helped the visitors withstand a late surge from Heidenheim, with goalkeeper Robin Zentner ultimately preserving the clean sheet with a crucial save in the closing moments. While it was a relatively short first appearance, it represented an essential step for Maloney as he began his career with Die Nullfünfer after impressing at Heidenheim over the previous year and a half.

Reyna Lacking Minutes

Despite New Manager, Midfielder Still Out of Starting XI

Gio Reyna's frustrating season at Borussia Dortmund continued. He made another brief cameo appearance in Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Bochum. The American midfielder was introduced for the final 10 minutes but was unable to help his side avoid their second consecutive Bundesliga defeat.

The 21-year-old's limited role reflects his ongoing struggles to secure regular playing time under new manager Niko Kovač. In his last five league appearances, Reyna has played just 52 minutes combined—10 against Bochum, five against Stuttgart, three against Heidenheim, three against Frankfurt and 31 against Holstein Kiel, where he scored his second goal of the season. He was an unused substitute in the 3-0 loss to Sporting in the Champions League and the 2-2 draw with Werder Bremen.

His most significant contribution in recent weeks came in the Europa Conference League, where he registered an assist during a 26-minute substitute appearance in the 3-1 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk on January 29. However, Reyna hasn't started a match since playing 64 minutes in the 2-1 defeat to Bologna, highlighting his peripheral role in the squad.

This limited playing time represents a stark contrast from his breakthrough 2020-21 season when he formed part of an exciting attacking quartet alongside Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland and Jadon Sancho. Alexi Lalas recently suggested it might be time for Reyna to look elsewhere, noting that Dortmund's recent managerial change hasn't improved his prospects for regular minutes. With the club currently struggling in 11th place in the Bundesliga, Reyna's path to consistent playing time appears increasingly challenging as he attempts to revive his career at the Signa Iduna Park. His next chance will be on Wednesday when Dortmund host Sporting in the Champions League.

Zendejas With Another Assist

Winger Continues Form After Winning Player of the Month

Alejandro Zendejas continued his impressive form for Club América, providing a crucial assist in their dramatic 3-2 home defeat to Necaxa. The U.S. international's pinpoint inswinging cross found Álvaro Fidalgo in the six-yard box in the 59th minute, allowing his teammate to score his second goal and temporarily draw América level.

The assist adds to what has been an outstanding start to 2024 for Zendejas, who was recently named Liga MX's Player of the Month for January after contributing three goals and three assists in just four matches. His creative influence helped propel Las Águilas to the top of the table with 16 points from a possible 18 before this weekend's setback.

Despite Zendejas' continued strong play, América couldn't maintain its unbeaten start to the Clausura. After falling behind 2-0 in the first half, it mounted a spirited comeback through Fidalgo's brace—the second created by Zendejas—but ultimately succumbed to Kevin Rosero's stoppage-time winner after being reduced to ten men. The defeat marks a rare stumble for Zendejas and América, who had been stellar since their Apertura title triumph.

Cobi Jones Scores in Third-Straight

On This Day in 2000, Midfielder's Header was the Difference in Gold Cup Victory over Peru

While Eric Wynalda fought to extend his national team career in early 2000, his former high school teammate Cobi Jones was experiencing a career renaissance. The dreadlocked midfielder, who had established himself as a key figure for the LA Galaxy and the US Men's National Team throughout the 1990s, showcased the form that had made him the MLS's leading scorer the previous season.

After helping the Americans defeat Chile 2-1 with a late winner on January 29, Jones carried that momentum into the CONCACAF Gold Cup by scoring in the opening match against Haiti, a 3-0 US win. On a humid Miami night at the Orange Bowl, with 36,004 fans in attendance, Jones would continue his remarkable scoring run in a crucial match on February 16 against Peru that would determine Group B positioning.

The first half was sluggish, with neither team generating much attacking flair. Peru's defensive pressure stifled U.S. playmaker Claudio Reyna, while forwards Wynalda and Brian McBride struggled to find service. Jones provided some early sparks down the right flank, but the teams went into halftime scoreless.

The breakthrough finally came in the 59th minute through brilliance between two former UCLA Bruins. Eddie Lewis, who had endured a difficult first half on the left wing, created space by wrong-footing defender Roberto Holsen with a sharp turn. Rather than using his preferred left foot, Lewis delivered a right-footed cross that found Jones unmarked 10 yards from goal. Jones rose above the Peruvian defense and powered his header past goalkeeper Oscar Ibanez.

"[Lewis] made a very good move to turn the defender and put the cross right there for me," Jones explained afterward. "I saw it all the way and was able to see the keeper." 

The goal was Jones' third in three consecutive matches - a feat not accomplished by an American player since Willy Roy in 1972. "We came out a lot stronger in the second half," Jones reflected. "The goal was just a blur to me. Eddie cut the ball back and got it across."

A third former Bruin, goalkeeper Brad Friedel, preserved the 1-0 victory with two spectacular saves in the final 25 minutes. Peru finished with 10 men after Ysrael Zuniga was sent off for a tackle from behind on C.J. Brown.

The win set up a quarterfinal clash with Colombia, who surprisingly fell 2-0 to Honduras earlier that evening. For Jones, the quarterfinal would provide an opportunity to become the first American since 1955 to score in four consecutive international matches. More importantly, it would give the U.S. team a chance to advance deeper in a tournament that was proving to be full of surprises.

In that quarterfinal against Colombia, the US fell 2(2)-2(1) on penalties, and Jones was held without a goal. But that didn't stop him from having arguably the best year of his national team career. He finished 2000 with playing in 17 of the 18 matches and contributed with six goals and eight assists.