Fulham's Captain was Solid in the Victory over Tottenham
Antonee Robinson delivered another impressive performance in Fulham's 2-0 victory against Tottenham, continuing to build his reputation as one of the Premier League's most reliable defenders. The win propelled Fulham to eighth place, putting them within striking distance of European qualification.
Robinson was a constant presence on the left flank throughout the match, showcasing his exceptional stamina and defensive prowess. His ability to shut down Tottenham's attacks while providing an attacking outlet himself was crucial to Fulham's success in what was described as a "strange, three-quarter-pace game."
The 27-year-old's outstanding season has fueled speculation about a potential move to Liverpool. Reports suggest he's been their first-choice left-back target. When asked about these rumors, Robinson has maintained a level-headed approach.
"Transfer rumours and stuff like that, I try not to look at," Robinson recently said. "Especially like with the Liverpool one – all my friends and family are from Liverpool, so it's more of them messaging me than me seeing newspaper stuff. And I have to say, 'Look, it's just, just a story in the paper and anyone who's doing well is going to get linked to a team'."
Despite his Liverpool connections—he grew up on Merseyside but was born in Milton Keynes—Robinson remains focused on his Fulham duties. His performances have drawn praise from teammates, including Joachim Andersen, who remarked, "I've never seen a guy who sprints so much like him."
Robinson's consistent performances will be crucial as Fulham manager Marco Silva looks to guide his team to European qualification. His display against Tottenham was another example of why he's become one of the Premier League's most sought-after full-backs.
On This Day in 2019, Dubbed the Medford Messi, the 18-year-old Scored on His Philadelphia Debut
When Brenden Aaronson stepped onto the pitch at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 17, 2019, he was living out a dream years in the making. The 18-year-old Medford, New Jersey native, who had joined the Philadelphia Union Academy at age 11, was about to make his professional debut against the defending MLS champions Atlanta United. Few could have predicted the storybook moment that would follow.
The path to this debut had been carefully crafted. After initially committing to Indiana University, Aaronson chose instead to sign a Homegrown Player deal with the Union in September 2018. Manager Jim Curtin had seen enough in training to trust the teenager with a crucial role, especially after Marco Fabian's suspension created an opening in the starting lineup.
"I'm not scared to start him," Curtin had declared before the match. "He has shown that he can handle pressure, can handle tight spaces, can handle all the things that you ask of a top MLS player. Age is just a number, and Brenden is a guy who has certainly pushed and impressed the coaching staff."
From the opening whistle, Aaronson showed why his manager had such faith. Within the first minute, he forced a corner kick, displaying the relentless work rate that would become his trademark. In the 21st minute, he nearly opened his account, coming inches away from connecting with an Alejandro Bedoya cross that left Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan sporting a black eye.
But it was in the 47th minute that Aaronson truly announced his arrival. Collecting the ball outside the box, he unleashed a right-footed shot that took a fortunate deflection off defender Leandro Gonzalez Pirez's leg and found its way past Guzan. The Union had their first goal from open play of the season, and Aaronson had his first professional goal.
Though Atlanta eventually equalized through Ezequiel Barco to secure a 1-1 draw, the night belonged to the Union's newest star. His performance went beyond just the goal. Aaronson's movement and vision were fully displayed when he threaded a through ball to Fafa Picault. This nearly resulted in another goal, showcasing the playmaking ability that had excited the Union's coaching staff.
The debut would prove to be no fluke. Aaronson became a fixture in Philadelphia's lineup, appearing in 24 of the team's next 27 games as the Union climbed to third place in the Eastern Conference. His consistent performances caught the attention of U.S. Under-23 National Team coach Jason Kreis, who called him into camp by May. Though he finished second in the MLS Rookie of the Year voting to Colorado's Andre Shinyashiki, Aaronson's impact on the Union was undeniable.
For Aaronson, the goal in Atlanta was just the beginning. By the end of the season, he had accumulated three goals and two assists in 28 appearances, with 25 starts. More importantly, he had established himself as one of the brightest young talents in American soccer. This set the stage for his international senior debut in 2020 and what would eventually become a multi-million dollar transfer to Red Bull Salzburg in 2021.
That March evening in Atlanta marked more than just a teenage midfielder's first professional goal – it represented the Union's academy vision coming to fruition, proving that the path from academy to first team could produce not just players but stars.
The United States Men's National Team has established unprecedented dominance in the CONCACAF Nations League, winning all three editions since its inception in 2019-2020.
In the inaugural 2019-2020 tournament, the USMNT topped Group A with 9 points, matching Canada but advancing on goal differential. In the finals, delayed until June 2021 due to COVID-19, they faced Honduras in the semifinal, securing a 1-0 victory through Jordan Pefok's late headed winner. The championship match against Mexico at Denver's Empower Field at Mile High proved dramatic. After falling behind twice, the Americans equalized both times through Giovanni Reyna and Weston McKennie. Christian Pulisic ultimately sealed the victory with a penalty kick in the 114th minute of extra time, while substitute goalkeeper Ethan Horvath saved Andrés Guardado's late penalty to preserve the 3-2 win.
The 2022-2023 tournament saw the USMNT again dominate their group, finishing with 10 points. Under interim coach B.J. Callaghan, they defeated Mexico 3-0 in a heated semifinal that ended prematurely due to homophobic chants after four players received red cards. In the final against Canada at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Chris Richards and Folarin Balogun scored first-half goals to secure a comfortable 2-0 victory. Reyna provided both assists before being substituted at halftime due to injury.
For the 2023-2024 competition, the Americans narrowly advanced past Trinidad and Tobago in the quarterfinals with a 4-2 aggregate score. After falling behind early in the semifinal against Jamaica, they forced extra time with a 95th-minute equalizer before substitute Haji Wright scored twice to win 3-1. The final against Mexico featured another commanding performance, with Tyler Adams scoring just before halftime and Reyna adding a second goal to complete the 2-0 victory at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
These unprecedented three consecutive championships demonstrate regional strength and the USMNT's growing strength in the region while establishing a new rivalry hierarchy within CONCACAF.
Since the First Meeting in 1993, the US Has Dominated, But Not as of Late
The United States Men's National Team will face Panama in the CONCACAF Nations League semifinal on Thursday, March 20. This match marks the 29th meeting between these nations, and the USMNT holds a commanding 18-7-3 all-time record against Los Canaleros in regulation. The teams have gone to penalties in three of those draws, with Panama winning two.
Despite their historical dominance, the Americans enter this semifinal with cautious optimism following one of their most recent encounters with Panama. Their meeting during the 2024 Copa América group stage ended in disappointment for the USA, as Panama secured a 2-1 victory over a 10-man American side. After Tim Weah's early red card, Folarin Balogun briefly gave the USA hope with a 22nd-minute strike. Still, Panama capitalized on their numerical advantage, with César Blackman equalizing four minutes later and José Fajardo scoring the winner in the 83rd minute.
Under new head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who debuted with a 2-0 friendly victory over Panama last October, the USMNT aims to reclaim their Nations League crown. The Americans have established unprecedented success in this tournament, winning all three previous editions (2021, 2023, 2024). A fourth consecutive title would further cement their regional dominance.
Panama enters as a dangerous opponent with growing confidence. Under Danish coach Thomas Christiansen, they've risen from 81st to 43rd in the FIFA rankings since 2020. Their recent tournament performances have been impressive: They finished as runners-up in the 2023 Gold Cup and reached the semifinals in the previous two Nations League tournaments.
The semifinal winner will face Mexico or Canada in the final, with the USA hoping to continue its perfect Nations League championship record. After its Copa América setback against Panama, this match presents an opportunity for revenge and another step toward regional supremacy under Pochettino's leadership.
On This Day in 1997, the US Earned Its First Win in the Final Round of World Cup Qualifying
In early 1997, the United States Men's National Team was at a crossroads. After going winless in their previous six matches (0-4-2) and opening the final round of World Cup qualifying with a scoreless draw in Jamaica, pressure mounted on Steve Sampson's squad heading into a crucial home qualifier against Canada at Stanford Stadium.
The match on March 16 was particularly significant. The Americans desperately needed three points to keep pace in the six-team CONCACAF final round, where only three nations would qualify for France '98. Sampson made bold lineup changes, notably dropping forward Brian McBride and turning to the team's growing German connection.
"The key is to not become tense and tight because of the pressure," Sampson stated before the match, acknowledging the weight of expectations on his squad. His tactical gamble involved partnering Eric Wynalda with David Wagner, a German-born son of a U.S. serviceman who had just 90 minutes of international experience. The decision to pair the two seemed natural - as Wynalda later revealed, "A lot of people thought we would have trouble communicating, but we just spoke German all the time."
The American roster showcased an increasing European influence, mainly from Germany. Besides Wagner, who played for Schalke 04, the lineup featured German-born Thomas Dooley and Bundesliga-based Claudio Reyna of Bayer Leverkusen. It would later introduce Michael Mason of Hamburg SV - another German-born player who had only received his U.S. passport a month earlier after being discovered through an email from a fan club member. The German contingent represented a new wave of dual-nationals strengthening the American player pool, with Dooley already a veteran of 64 international appearances.
The United States, facing a Canadian side reeling from a 4-0 defeat to Mexico, found their breakthrough early. In the seventh minute, Canadian goalkeeper Craig Forrest collided with Reyna in the penalty area, leading to a penalty kick that Wynalda converted for his 29th international goal. The lead doubled six minutes later when Eddie Pope headed home his first international goal off a Jeff Agoos corner kick that Wagner had cleverly flicked on.
While the Americans controlled much of the play, outshooting Canada 11-3 in the first half, defensive uncertainties still showed. "This is something we have to improve upon," Sampsonadmitted, particularly noting the relationship between midfielders Reyna, John Harkes, and Dooley needed strengthening. One constant remained the reliable presence of goalkeeper Kasey Keller, who extended his shutout streak to 550 minutes of international play, dating back to an own goal against Brazil in January 1996.
The match's final flourish came in the 89th minute through another German-American connection. Mason, making his U.S. debut as a second-half substitute, received a pass from Wynalda and delivered a brilliant ball to Ernie Stewart, who finished confidently to seal the 3-0 victory. Despite Mason's decisive assist, Sampson remained measured in his assessment: "Obviously, the assist on the goal was a brilliant pass, but defensively I was not pleased."
The win moved the Americans into a first-place tie with Mexico and marked Canada's worst defeat to the United States in almost 71 years. A crowd of 28,896 witnessed what Alexi Lalas later characterized as smart tournament soccer: "You look to get points when you are away. And you make sure to get 3-point victories when you're at home."
The victory proved timely as the U.S. faced an upcoming qualifier in Costa Rica. They had already lost during the first qualifying round in a match marred by objects thrown from the stands. However, they would face that challenge without Stewart, who picked up his second yellow card of qualifying against Canada, ruling him out of the next match. Stewart's absence would be keenly felt, as he had been arguably the best American player against Canada, patrolling the right side of midfield.
Winger Scored the Equalizer as Milan Came Back to Beat Como
Christian Pulisic continued his remarkable scoring form on Saturday, finding the net in AC Milan's 2-1 comeback victory over Como at the San Siro. The American star's 15th goal of the season helped the Rossoneri secure their second consecutive comeback win following inconsistent results.
The 26-year-old has now equaled his career-best goal tally in all competitions, achieving the milestone in just 38 appearances compared to the 50 games it took last season. Pulisic's consistent performance makes him the first Milan player to score 15-plus goals in their first two seasons since Zlatan Ibrahimovic accomplished the feat in 2010-2012.
After Como took the lead through Lucas Da Cunha's 33rd-minute strike, Milan fans expressed frustration with loud jeers at halftime. The home side's fortunes changed in the second half when Pulisic swept home the equalizer from a tight angle after receiving a delicate pass from Tijjani Reijnders.
"I can't give you a reason; we want to start the game stronger, and I don't know why this season we're always in trouble in the first half. The important thing is to do better in the second," Pulisic said after the match. "We have to be more positive because we have won two games in a row. We have the chance to get where we want, but we think game by game."
Reijnders later secured the winner in the 75th minute, converting a backheeled pass from Tammy Abraham to complete Milan's comeback. The victory propelled Milan to seventh place in the Serie A standings, offering momentum before the international break.
Following the match, Pulisic expressed his commitment to Milan amid reports of a new contract extending his stay until 2028, with an option for 2029. "Milan and my teammates gave me confidence. It's a pleasure to play here, and I want to score more goals and provide more assists. This club gives me a lot of confidence, and it's a pleasure to be here every day. I want to continue here," the American winger stated.
With 47 goal contributions (30 goals, 17 assists) since joining Milan, Pulisic has firmly established himself as one of the club's key performers.
Wright's Hat-Trick Powers Coventry to Crucial Win Over Sunderland
Haji Wright announced his return to form with a brilliant hat-trick as Coventry City moved back into the Championship playoff positions with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over promotion rivals Sunderland at the CBS Arena on Saturday.
Wright, who had been sidelined for nearly four months with an ankle injury sustained during Coventry's previous meeting with Sunderland in November, delivered a masterclass in finishing to notch his first hat-trick in English football.
The American striker opened the scoring after 21 minutes when he received a pass from Victor Torp, cut inside defender Luke O'Nien, and drilled a low, left-footed strike beyond goalkeeper Anthony Patterson from outside the box. Just nine minutes later, Wright doubled Coventry's advantage from the penalty spot after being brought down by Wales international Chris Mepham.
He completed his hat-trick in the 73rd minute with an exquisite dinked finish over the onrushing Patterson following another precise pass from Torp, sending the home crowd into raptures and earning himself a standing ovation when substituted late in the game.
"I felt great today. After being out for so long, I felt quick; I felt fresh and light on my feet," Wright told club media after the match.
Frank Lampard, who has overseen an impressive run of form since taking over as Coventry head coach in November, praised his striker.
"He’s been out for a while and had a few substitute appearances and a difficult game against Derby, as it was for everyone, but today was an outstanding individual performance," Lampard said. "I know he is a big player for us, so to see it in the flesh and be that clinical at the top end of the pitch, to have success you want those players at the top end of the pitch, so to have that confidence and to be able to play the way he played was brilliant."
The victory extends Sunderland's 40-year winless run at Coventry and moves the Sky Blues back into fifth place with eight games remaining in their playoff push. Despite missing much of the season through injury, Wright has scored 10 goals in 19 Championship appearances this term.
Though he won't be at the Nations League this week, Wright's performance comes at an opportune time for his international prospects. Mauricio Pochettino faces a shortage of fit forwards ahead of next year's home World Cup.
Diego Luna broke his scoring drought for the 2025 MLS season on Saturday night, finding the back of the net with a perfectly timed header to help Real Salt Lake secure a 2-1 road victory over the Houston Dynamo.
Late in the first half, with the score knotted at 1-1 and both teams pushing for an advantage before the break, Luna demonstrated the intensity and opportunism that recently earned him a call-up to Mauricio Pochettino's U.S. Men's National Team.
The decisive moment came during first-half stoppage time when Dominik Marczuk fired a rocket from the right side of the box. Luna, showcasing his attacking instincts, darted in front of the shot and redirected the ball with a header into the right side of the net. The Houston goalkeeper, already committed to the far left where Marczuk's original shot was heading, had no chance to adjust.
The goal wouldn't have been possible without Luna's excellent footwork just seconds earlier, as he displayed remarkable balance and ball control to keep possession in bounds during the build-up to the scoring opportunity.
This match-winning contribution is perfect for the 21-year-old attacking midfielder who was recently named to Pochettino's 23-man USMNT squad for the upcoming CONCACAF Nations League finals. Luna's inclusion in the national team roster turned heads, with Pochettino praising him as "a player that can provide different things during the game."
Luna's goal proved decisive, and Real Salt Lake earned its first win of the season against the Houston Dynamo, a team that has historically dominated its matchups. The victory improved RSL's record to 2-2-0, while Houston fell to 0-3-1.
The match opened with Diogo Gonçalves scoring just 43 seconds in, before Houston's Ezequiel Ponce equalized in the 16th minute. Luna's header ultimately made the difference in a hard-fought contest where Houston outshot RSL 16-10, though the visitors were more efficient with five shots on target to Houston's two.
Forward Finishes His First Goal of Season in Perfect USMNT Send-Off
Patrick Agyemang couldn't have scripted a better farewell before joining the U.S. Men's National Team for the CONCACAF Nations League finals. On Saturday night, the 24-year-old striker netted his first goal of the 2025 MLS season, helping Charlotte FC secure a commanding 2-0 victory over FC Cincinnati at home.
After a scoreless first half, Charlotte broke the deadlock when Liel Abada scored his first goal of the season. Just four minutes later, Agyemang doubled the lead with a trademark finish that showcased his distinctive attacking style.
The goal came from a direct, vertical play that has become Agyemang's signature. Adilson Malanda played a ball from the back to Pep Biel, who threaded a perfectly weighted through ball for Agyemang as he charged toward Cincinnati's center backs. The striker took the chance clinically, driving a low strike past Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano while on the run.
"It's cool to go into camp after scoring a goal; it's something I ideally wanted," Agyemang said following the match. "In the first few games, I didn't get a goal or assist or anything, so to have this heading into camp is cool."
The timing couldn't be better for Agyemang, who learned earlier in the week that he had been selected for Pochettino's 23-man squad for the upcoming CONCACAF Nations League matches. With forwards Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi both sidelined with injuries, Agyemang has a genuine opportunity to make an impact on the international stage.
Charlotte FC head coach Dean Smith acknowledged the striker's recent frustrations before Saturday's breakthrough: "Today, I thought his running gave Cincinnati real problems; he got the reward with his goal, and it will take him into the U.S. fixtures with a lot of confidence."
The victory improved Charlotte's record to 2-1-1 (7 points), while Cincinnati fell to 2-2-0 (6 points). Cincinnati's evening worsened when they lost 2022 U.S. World Cup center-back Miles Robinson to an apparent leg injury before halftime.
Goalkeeper Strong in Colorado Victory; Could Start Against Panama
Zack Steffen is making a compelling case to reclaim the USMNT's No. 1 goalkeeper position after delivering a phenomenal performance for the Colorado Rapids in their 2-1 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes. The former Manchester City backup recorded a career-high 12 saves in the match, earning Player of the Match honors and helping extend Colorado's unbeaten run to four matches to start the 2025 MLS season.
Steffen's resurgence is perfect as USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino prepares his squad for the CONCACAF Nations League semifinal against Panama. The 30-year-old goalkeeper has been exceptional this season, conceding just a goal per match across six games in all competitions.
While Matt Turner has been Pochettino's first choice in recent matches, the Crystal Palace keeper has played only four matches all season, primarily in cup competitions as the backup. Pochettino recently explained the goalkeeping position as "an open competition," giving Steffen a genuine opportunity to stake his claim.
Steffen made his first USMNT start in nearly three years during January's 3-0 win over Costa Rica, though he wasn't tested in that match. With his confidence soaring and form peaking, Steffen could finally complete his comeback story by earning the starting nod against Panama on Thursday, especially since Pochettino has made clear that playing in MLS won't disqualify players from meaningful national team roles.
