Marseille and Toulouse Played to a Draw, With McKenzie Providing the Late Assist
Two United States internationals played roles as Marseille and Toulouse battled to a thrilling 2-2 draw at Stade Vélodrome on Saturday, with the result preventing Marseille from capitalizing on Paris Saint-Germain's earlier defeat to Monaco.
Marseille's Timothy Weah featured for the full 90 minutes as his side sought to claim top spot in Ligue 1. The 25-year-old winger, playing at right-back, completed 43-of-47 passes and created one scoring opportunity while completing two successful dribbles. Operating primarily on the right flank, Weah recorded six touches in the opposition penalty area and won five of eight ground duels, demonstrating his willingness to engage in physical battles throughout the contest.
On the opposing side, Toulouse defender Mark McKenzie delivered an influential performance that culminated in a crucial assist for Santiago Hidalgo's dramatic injury-time equalizer. The 26-year-old center-back executed a long throw-in from the right byline deep into stoppage time, providing the service that led to Hidalgo's header and secured a vital point for the visitors. McKenzie's defensive work was equally impressive, recording 10 defensive contributions, including five clearances, three blocks and two tackles.
The match saw Marseille twice take the lead through Igor Paixão and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, building on Emersonn's early opener for Toulouse. Højbjerg's 74th-minute header appeared to have secured three points for the hosts, but McKenzie's creative contribution in the dying moments ensured Toulouse wouldn't leave empty-handed.
The result proved costly for Marseille's title aspirations. While PSG remained one point clear despite their loss, Lens's subsequent victory over Angers saw them leapfrog both clubs to claim top spot in the Ligue 1 standings. Marseille dropped to third place, their failure to convert dominance into victory highlighting the unforgiving nature of the title race. McKenzie's late intervention ultimately dealt a significant blow to Marseille's championship ambitions.
Winger Opened the Scoring for Club America Before Their Heartbreaking Exit in Apertura 2025 Playoffs
Alejandro Zendejas delivered a moment of individual brilliance for Club America during their dramatic 2-1 victory over Monterrey, though it ultimately wasn't enough to prevent their elimination from the 2025 Apertura quarterfinals. The 27-year-old winger's opening goal gave Las Aguilas hope in their quest to overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit.
Zendejas's strike arrived in the 29th minute at Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes, showcasing his technical ability and composure under immense pressure. The United States international collected the ball outside the penalty area, skillfully shifted it onto his left foot, and unleashed a low-driven shot that beat Monterrey goalkeeper Luis Cardenas. The goal ignited the home crowd and gave America the lifeline they desperately needed.
The winger's influence extended far beyond his goal. Zendejas was instrumental throughout the contest, creating two scoring chances and delivering dangerous service into the box. His two accurate crosses proved vital to America's attacking efforts, including a delivery late in the first half that nearly led to a second goal when it found Rodrigo Aguirre, whose header struck the crossbar.
Zendejas's tireless work rate was evident in the match statistics—he won 11 duels, the most of any player on the pitch—and he was fouled six times as Monterrey struggled to contain his attacking threat. His defensive contributions included five tackles and seven recoveries, demonstrating his commitment to the team's cause during the high-stakes encounter.
Despite Jose Zuniga's second-half goal, German Berterame's stoppage-time header crushed their dreams. The 3-2 aggregate defeat ended America's hopes of reaching the semifinals for an eighth consecutive occasion, leaving Zendejas and his teammates to rue what might have been in a thrilling quarterfinal clash filled with controversy.
Midfielder Scored From Inside the Center Circle in Defeat to Sunderland
Tyler Adams produced a moment of brilliance during Bournemouth's eventual 3-2 defeat to Sunderland, scoring what many are calling a goal of the season contender. The United States international spotted goalkeeper Robin Roefs off his line and executed a perfect lob from 47.4 yards—officially the longest goal of the Premier League season, surpassing Richarlison's recent 38.6-yard effort against Arsenal.
The spectacular strike came on Adams' 50th appearance for Bournemouth, giving the Cherries a commanding 2-0 lead less than 15 minutes into the match at the Stadium of Light. Following a Sunderland corner, Bournemouth turned possession over, and Adams demonstrated remarkable awareness and technique to capitalize on Roefs' positioning. The goalkeeper was left helpless as the ball sailed gracefully over his head and into the net.
For Adams, this goal represented his second Premier League strike this season, following his maiden goal against Manchester City earlier in the month. The 26-year-old defensive midfielder hadn't scored for any club since the 2020-21 season with RB Leipzig, making his recent goalscoring form particularly remarkable.
Despite the stunning goal and Bournemouth's bright start—Amine Adli had opened the scoring earlier—the Cherries couldn't maintain their advantage. Sunderland mounted a dramatic comeback, with Enzo Le Fee converting a penalty before halftime. The Black Cats completed their turnaround after the break, through goals from Bertrand Traore and Brian Brobbey, condemning Bournemouth to their fourth consecutive match without victory.
The defeat was particularly costly for Andoni Iraola's side, who finished the match with 10 men after Lewis Cook's red card and will have three players suspended for their next fixture.
On This Day in 2022, Pulisic Put His Body on the Line for the Lone Goal in the World Cup Victory Over Iran
The draw against England felt like progress wrapped in frustration. The Americans had controlled stretches of Friday's scoreless affair at Al Bayt Stadium, rattling the crossbar through Christian Pulisic, generating corners and keeping Harry Kane and company at arm's length. But controlling a game and winning it were entirely different propositions, and now the mathematics were brutally simple: beat Iran on Tuesday, or go home.
Two points from two matches left the United States third in Group B, needing a victory against an Iranian side that could advance with just a draw. England sat atop the group, needing only to avoid catastrophe against Wales. The path forward offered no room for calculation or hedging—just three points or elimination.
The Iran match carried weight beyond the standings. 24 years earlier, these nations had collided at the 1998 World Cup in France, a politically charged encounter that Iran won after the Americans admitted they'd underestimated how much victory meant to their opponents. Gregg Berhalter, who'd been a Dutch television analyst for that game, remembered it vividly. "What I saw from the opening whistle is one team that really wanted to win the game and one team that didn't really want to win the game," he told reporters. He'd shared that observation with his players as both a warning and a motivator.
Off the field, tensions escalated in ways that made 1998 look quaint. U.S. Soccer had posted graphics removing the emblem from Iran's flag in solidarity with women protesting their government after Mahsa Amini died in police custody, sparking demands from Iranian state television that FIFA expel the Americans from the tournament. At Monday's press conference, Iranian journalists pelted Berhalter and captain Tyler Adams with questions about U.S. military policy, immigration, and systemic racism—everything except soccer. Both men navigated the minefield carefully, deflecting and redirecting. "For us, it's a soccer game against a good team," Berhalter said. "And it's not much more than that."
For Iran's players, the tournament had become a torment. Forced to play tuneup matches behind closed doors, banned from discussing protests on social media, they'd declined to sing their anthem before facing England, then appeared to grudgingly mouth the words before Wales. Their team, once a rare symbol of national unity, had become trapped between furious protesters demanding solidarity and a regime intolerant of dissent. The November 29 match offered both sides what they desperately needed—Iran a chance at glory to ease domestic turmoil, the United States a shot at redemption four years after Trinidad.
The Americans emerged at Al Thumama Stadium like a team that had absorbed Berhalter's history lesson. In a surprise move, Cameron Carter-Vickers replaced Walker Zimmerman at center back—a tactical choice, not an injury—while Josh Sargent regained his starting spot from Haji Wright. The lineup averaged 24 years and 321 days, the youngest fielded by any team at the tournament despite 35-year-old Tim Ream anchoring the defense. Youth wouldn't be an excuse. It couldn't be.
Iran sat deep, absorbing pressure, flooding the defensive third and waiting to counterattack. The Americans worked the ball methodically, side to side, probing for openings that never quite materialized. Sergiño Dest and Antonee Robinson pushed high as outside backs, trying to beat defenders on the dribble and whip in crosses, but Iran had calculated correctly—pack the box, eliminate space, force mistakes. Chances came from distance and set pieces, nothing clean, nothing dangerous. The first half threatened to become an exercise in patience-testing anxiety.
Then, in the 38th minute, everything crystallized. Weston McKennie received the ball in midfield and played a perfectly weighted pass to Dest, sprinting down the right flank. Dest's first touch was headed back across the six-yard box. Pulisic, reading the play a second before it happened, came charging from the left. He arrived at full speed, meeting the ball with his right foot and redirecting it past goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand. The collision was immediate and violent—Pulisic's momentum carried him directly into Beiranvand, both men crumpling in a tangle of limbs as the ball settled in the net.
Pulisic lay twisted inside the goal, clutching his "midsection", as teammates celebrated around him. Medical staff rushed over while the rest of the team played shorthanded for several minutes. He eventually returned to finish the half, clearly laboring, struggling to run. At halftime, Berhalter made the call—Brenden Aaronson came on for the team's most important player, and Pulisic was driven to the hospital for scans on what would be diagnosed as a pelvic contusion. "He would do anything for this team in order for us to win," Adams said later. On the sideline, the American bench held its collective breath.
Just before halftime, Tim Weah streaked free toward the goal and calmly rolled the ball into the net to double the American lead, but the goal was ruled out after an apparent offside. The second half turned into precisely the kind of test Berhalter's young squad had been built to withstand. Iran, needing a goal, abandoned caution and pressed forward with increasing desperation. Saman Ghoddos found space inside the box twice. Balls rained into dangerous areas. The Americans defended with grim determination, Carter-Vickers justifying Berhalter's selection with crucial interventions. Matt Turner, the backup keeper from Arsenal who'd inherited the starting job when Zack Steffen was left home, made the saves required of him without heroics.
During nine minutes of stoppage time, the stadium became a pressure chamber. Ramin Rezaeian's diving header streaked just wide of the near post. A scramble in the box saw Zimmerman, subbed on late, clear a ball from behind Turner while Iranians screamed for a penalty. The clock refused to move. Then, finally, the whistle pierced through the chaos. The Americans collapsed to their knees, some in tears, others motionless from exhaustion. They'd absorbed everything Iran could deliver and held firm. One goal—Pulisic's goal—was enough.
At the other end of Al Thumama Stadium, Iranian players lay sprawled on the turf, chests heaving, unable to process what had slipped away. Only striker Mehdi Taremi remained standing, arguing with the referee before walking to the few hundred Iranian supporters still in their seats. Together with teammates, he applauded their effort, their noise, apologizing for falling short. For a moment, players and fans united in disappointment, a rare instance of solidarity in a tournament that had become an ordeal.
In Tehran, the reaction split along familiar fault lines. At Shahrak Ekbatan, an apartment complex that had been a hotbed of protests, people cheered Iran's defeat and danced in the streets. Videos showed residents chanting "America, America" at one in the morning, celebrating not because they loved the United States but because they despised what their government represented. The regime had wanted victory as propaganda. The protesters wanted the spotlight to remain on their cause. Neither got what they needed, but the streets belonged to defiance that night.
For the Americans, the victory delivered validation Berhalter had been building toward since 2019. "You see how resilient this group is, you see how unified this group is," he said, his voice tight with emotion. The team had communicated with Pulisic via FaceTime from the locker room—"He said, 'Best believe I'll be ready on Saturday,'" McKennie reported—and the Chelsea forward would indeed be cleared to face the Netherlands. Two shutouts in three matches, just one goal conceded from open play. The defensive foundation was real.
Saturday brought the Netherlands and reality's cold assessment. Despite Pulisic's gutsy return, the Dutch displayed the clinical efficiency that separates tournament contenders from hopeful overachievers. After Pulisic missed the Americans' best chance of the first half in the opening five minutes of the game, Memphis Depay finished a flowing move in the 10th minute. Daley Blind doubled the lead seconds before halftime. Haji Wright's bizarre flicked goal—the ball looping off his shin over Andries Noppert—offered brief hope before Denzel Dumfries sealed it. The 3-1 defeat felt less like a collapse than an education. "When you play a team with so much quality like that, and you give them three, four chances, they're going to put three or four away," Adams said.
Still, perspective mattered. The Americans had reached the knockout rounds with the tournament's second-youngest roster, had beaten Iran when victory was mandatory, and had shown they could defend under suffocating pressure. They'd controlled possession against Wales, matched England, and competed with the Netherlands before experience and quality created separation. "We can show that we can hang with the best teams in the world," Adams reflected. "That's a lot of progress for U.S. Soccer. We're moving in the right direction for sure, but we're not there yet." The 2026 World Cup, on home soil, loomed as the next test. For now, they'd proven they belonged. That would have to be enough until they proved they could win.
A List of USMNT Moments That Make Me Thankful for this Roller Coaster of a Team
As we gather around the Thanksgiving table, there's plenty to be thankful for as a United States men's national team supporter, both from the storied past and the promising present.
I'm forever grateful for that magical moment in 2010 when Landon Donovan tapped in a rebound in stoppage time against Algeria, securing our advancement and marking the first time we topped a World Cup group since 1930. I was 19 years old and shared that moment with my late father—a memory etched in my brain forever.
Looking further back, the 1950 victory over England stands as one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history, when Joe Gaetjens' header shocked the football world. It's a reminder that American soccer has always been capable of the improbable. Paul Caligiuri's goal against Trinidad and Tobago in 1989 ended a 40-year World Cup drought, opening the door to the modern era of American soccer. Without that moment, who knows where we'd be today?
I'm thankful for the World Cup run in 2002, when the U.S. was a missed handball away from potentially reaching the semifinals. I was 11 years old, and I remember waking up in the early hours to watch a couple of the matches and not understanding the magnitude of what this run meant. Defeating top-ranked Spain 2-0 in the 2009 Confederations Cup semifinals, which I watched in my childhood living room, showed we could compete with anyone.
For the present, I'm grateful for Mauricio Pochettino's arrival and the renewed energy he's brought, though it started with plenty of question marks. Christian Pulisic is flourishing in his prime at AC Milan, while talents like Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams and Sergiño Dest star at Europe's biggest clubs. Folarin Balogun's commitment to our program gives us a true number nine.
Most importantly, hosting the 2026 World Cup on home soil provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity. The future has never looked brighter for American soccer, and for that, I'm truly thankful.
American Goalkeeper Has Been a Standout for New York Heading into the Conference Finals
When New York City FC travels to Chase Stadium on Saturday for the Eastern Conference Final, their greatest hope of containing Lionel Messi's record-breaking playoff performance may rest on the shoulders of goalkeeper Matt Freese.
The 27-year-old USMNT goalkeeper has been nothing short of sensational throughout the postseason, recording three clean sheets in four playoff matches. His most impressive display came in last weekend's 1-0 upset victory over top-seeded Philadelphia Union, where he made five crucial saves to eliminate the Supporters' Shield winners at Subaru Park.
Freese's performance against his former club was particularly poignant. Having appeared as a substitute for Philadelphia in the 2021 Eastern Conference Final—ironically losing to NYCFC before they captured MLS Cup—he returned to exact revenge. Despite Philadelphia dominating possession and outshooting the visitors 20-6, Freese remained unflappable throughout the 90 minutes.
His highlight-reel moment arrived in the 74th minute when he somehow managed to kick out his boot and deny USMNT youth international Frankie Westfield's point-blank volley, preserving NYCFC's slender advantage. He also produced critical stops on Jakob Glesnes' dangerous attempt just before halftime and Milan Iloski's late-game effort in the 92nd minute.
Now Freese faces his ultimate test: stopping an Inter Miami attack that has been virtually unstoppable. Messi has already shattered playoff records with six goals and six assists this postseason, complementing his 29-goal Golden Boot campaign. Supporting cast members Tadeo Allende and Mateo Silvetti have combined for six goals and five assists in the playoffs, creating a multidimensional offensive threat.
NYCFC has embraced its underdog status throughout the postseason, winning consecutive road matches to reach this stage. For the Cityzens to shock Miami and advance to their second MLS Cup Final since 2021, Freese will need to deliver another masterclass performance against the most prolific attacking force in MLS history.
American Duo Had an Impact in PSV's Champions League Victory Over Liverpool
Two United States internationals played pivotal roles as PSV Eindhoven stunned Liverpool 4-1 at Anfield on Wednesday, delivering one of the most impressive Champions League performances by a Dutch side in recent memory.
Sergino Dest started and played the complete 90 minutes, providing the defensive stability and attacking threat that helped PSV weather Liverpool's first-half pressure before dominating the second period. The versatile defender completed an impressive 28-of-31 passes while creating three chances throughout the match. His most significant contribution came in the closing stages when he combined brilliantly with Ismael Saibari on the right flank before delivering a precise assist to Couhaib Driouech for PSV's fourth goal, sealing the memorable victory.
Ricardo Pepi entered the match in the 69th minute and immediately made his presence felt. The young striker, who had previously scored the winner when these teams met in Eindhoven last January before suffering an injury, was hungry to make an impact. Just minutes after coming on, Pepi cut inside from the left wing and unleashed a powerful shot that struck the base of the post. The rebound fell perfectly for Driouech, who converted PSV's third goal and effectively ended Liverpool's hopes of a comeback.
The Americans were part of a fearless PSV performance that saw the Dutch champions take an early penalty lead through Ivan Perisic before weathering intense Liverpool pressure. After Dominik Szoboszlai equalized, PSV regrouped and dominated the second half, with Guus Til restoring their advantage before the American duo helped put the game beyond reach.
The victory moved PSV to 15th place in the Champions League standings with eight points, marking a significant achievement for both the club and Dutch football's European reputation. For Dest and Pepi, the performance demonstrated their growing importance to PSV's campaign and provided valuable momentum ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Forward Scores Second Goal in as Many Champions League Matches
Folarin Balogun is experiencing a remarkable resurgence at AS Monaco, arriving at a crucial moment both for his club and the United States national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The American striker continued his impressive scoring streak with a goal in Monaco's 2-2 Champions League draw against Pafos on Wednesday, marking his fifth consecutive start with a goal for club and country.
The 24-year-old's strike in Cyprus demonstrated both his defensive awareness and clinical finishing ability. After intercepting possession, Balogun wasted no time, unleashing a first-time finish past goalkeeper Neophytos Michael in the 26th minute to restore Monaco's lead. It was the type of confident, instinctive finish that defines strikers in peak form.
This goal represents more than just another tally for Balogun—it symbolizes his complete recovery from a difficult second season at Monaco. After arriving from Reims with high expectations following a 22-goal campaign, he managed eight goals and five assists in his debut season. However, shoulder and ankle injuries derailed his progress last year, significantly limiting his impact with just four goals in 16 appearances.
Now in his third season, Balogun has already surpassed his previous campaign's total output with six goals and an assist across all competitions. The timing of Balogun's renaissance couldn't be better, with the 2026 World Cup on home soil just under 200 days away. The striker position has been a persistent question mark for the USMNT over the last two cycles, but Balogun is providing legitimate answers.
Midfielder Scores First Champions League Goal of the Season in Juventus Win
Weston McKennie spectacularly broke his goal drought during Juventus' dramatic 3-2 victory over Bodo/Glimt in Norway on Tuesday, scoring what proved to be a pivotal goal in the Italian club's challenging Champions League campaign.
The American midfielder, who had struggled to find the net throughout the 2024-25 season, rose magnificently to meet Fabio Miretti's cross in the 59th minute, powering a header past the goalkeeper from six yards out. The goal gave Juventus a 2-1 lead after they had fallen behind early in the match on the artificial pitch in frigid Norwegian conditions.
McKennie's eighth career Champions League goal came at a critical juncture for the Bianconeri, who desperately needed their first win after managing only three draws and suffering a defeat to Real Madrid in their opening fixtures. The timing couldn't have been better for the Texas native, who has faced uncertainty about his place in both club and country.
The header showcased McKennie's aerial prowess as he outjumped his marker to convert the service from Miretti, who had benefited from the inspired play of substitute Kenan Yildiz. The Turkish teenager had entered at halftime and immediately transformed the match, playing a role in all three Juventus goals. While Bodo/Glimt equalized late through a penalty, Jonathan David's stoppage-time winner secured the crucial three points. The victory lifted Juventus to 22nd place in the expanded 36-team Champions League table with six points, keeping their hopes alive of reaching the knockout rounds.
For McKennie, the goal marked a significant milestone—his first of the campaign after a difficult period that saw managerial changes at Juventus and inconsistent call-ups to Mauricio Pochettino's United States national team. Among Americans in Champions League history, he now trails only Christian Pulisic, who leads with 12 goals in the competition.
On This Day in 2020, the Brooklyn-Born Striker Announced His Arrival in Norway
When Folarin Balogun stepped onto the artificial turf at the Aker Stadium in Molde, Norway, on November 26, 2020, he carried the weight of uncertainty on his young shoulders. Just months earlier, the 19-year-old striker had been on the verge of leaving Arsenal entirely, with contract negotiations stalled and an £8 million move to Brentford reportedly on the table. The club he'd joined at age eight—the club he'd chosen over North London rivals Tottenham—suddenly seemed ready to let him walk away.
But football has a way of rewriting narratives quickly. After making his senior debut as a substitute against Dundalk in late October, Balogun earned his chance to prove he belonged. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta had already seen enough in training to keep faith, and technical director Edu was watching closely. The New York-born forward, eligible to represent both the United States and England at the international level, was about to make the most emphatic statement possible about his future.
The circumstances that evening in Norway were complicated. Arsenal arrived for their Group B fixture already assured of progression to the knockout rounds, their perfect record in the competition intact. Yet the match carried significance—particularly for players like Balogun fighting to establish themselves in Arteta's plans. The young striker was handed his second appearance, this time entering as a substitute in the 82nd minute with Arsenal already comfortably ahead through goals from Nicolas Pépé and Reiss Nelson.
Most teenage substitutes in such situations would be content simply to see out the match, to bank the experience and wait for the next opportunity. Balogun had other ideas. Within minutes of his introduction, the striker found himself at the center of Arsenal's attack. As the Gunners broke forward with clinical precision, Balogun positioned himself perfectly in the penalty area. When the ball arrived, he didn't hesitate. With a composed touch to control and a swift turn to create space, the 19-year-old wrapped up the victory with a clinical finish that belied his inexperience.
"I knew this was the moment I'd been waiting for," Balogun would later reflect on his first senior Arsenal goal.
The significance extended beyond the scoresheet. Here was a product of Arsenal's academy system—a player they'd nurtured since he was nine years old, who'd helped Trevor Bumstead's U16 side claim the prestigious Liam Brady Cup in 2017 by defeating Bayern Munich, Manchester United, and Juventus—finally delivering on that promise at the highest level.
"We have been extremely impressed with Flo this season," Arteta said. "He has continually shown his natural ability in many training sessions with us, and we have been equally impressed with his early integration into the first-team squad on matchdays."
For a club that prides itself on developing young talent, Balogun's emergence represented both validation and opportunity. The Brooklyn-born forward possessed a rare blend of attributes—the technical ability to play with his back to goal and link play, the pace to threaten defenses in behind, and a clinical finishing instinct that suggested a natural goalscorer. His eight goals in 18 appearances for the academy that season demonstrated he was ready for more.
The goal in Molde proved to be the catalyst Arsenal's hierarchy needed. While Balogun would add another goal and an assist in his next Europa League appearance against Dundalk, finishing the group stage with two goals, the real breakthrough came off the pitch. The contract impasse that had threatened to send him to Brentford suddenly dissolved. In April 2021, Arsenal announced that Balogun had committed his future to the club with a new long-term deal running through 2025.
When Arsenal traveled to face Premier League newcomers Brentford for their 2021-22 season opener on August 13, 2021, Balogun was named in the starting XI—his first Premier League appearance and first league start for the club. The circumstances were less than ideal, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette both unavailable and Eddie Nketiah sidelined by injury. But the opportunity had arrived nonetheless, and Arteta showed his faith in the striker who'd announced himself on that artificial pitch in Norway nine months earlier.
Though Arsenal would fall 2-0 to Brentford that evening, with Balogun substituted after 59 minutes, the trajectory was set. The kid from Brooklyn who'd moved to London as a one-month-old infant, who'd risen through every level of Arsenal's academy, who'd nearly walked away over contract disputes, had established himself as a genuine first-team option for one of England's biggest clubs.
It all traced back to that moment at the Aker Stadium—a substitute appearance in a match already won, a chance seized with both hands, and a future secured with one decisive finish. The hard work, as Arteta noted, was only just beginning. But for Folarin Balogun, the moment he'd been waiting for had finally arrived.
