Adams vs Robinson on Sunday

Americans Face-off in a Match Between Two Clubs in the Top-Half of the Table

Americans Tyler Adams and Antonee Robinson are set to face off when Fulham welcomes Bournemouth in Premier League action on Sunday, with both players enjoying contrasting fortunes in their recent appearances.

Robinson, who has emerged as a key figure for Fulham, continues his impressive streak of playing every minute of the Premier League season through 18 matches. The left-back has worn the captain's armband in five of the last six league games, including Fulham's recent 2-1 victory over Chelsea on Boxing Day.

Meanwhile, Adams continues his steady return to full fitness for Bournemouth, most recently featuring for 28 minutes as a substitute against Crystal Palace. The midfielder has made seven appearances since his October return from injury, including five starts.

The Cherries will be without the suspended Justin Kluivert, while injuries continue to sideline several players including Marcos Senesi and Luis Sinisterra. Philip Billing is expected to step in for Kluivert, with Evanilson pushing for a start up front.

Fulham manager Marco Silva faces decisions in attack after substitutes Harry Wilson and Rodrigo Muniz scored against Chelsea, though both are likely to remain on the bench with Raul Jimenez and Adama Traore expected to retain their starting positions.

McKennie to be Rewarded

Midfielder Poised for Extension and Pay Bump

Weston McKennie's resurgence at Juventus is set to be rewarded with a new long-term contract, as the club looks to extend the American midfielder's stay until June 2029. The proposed deal would include an improved salary package from his current €2.5 million net annual wages.

McKennie's journey in Turin has been marked by unexpected turns since his 2020 arrival from Schalke. Despite being transfer-listed last summer, the 26-year-old secured a short-term extension until 2026 in August and has since become an invaluable member of Thiago Motta's squad.

The Texan's versatility has particularly impressed, with McKennie featuring across multiple positions including central midfield, attacking midfielder, winger, center-forward, and most recently, left-back. His adaptability was on full display in Juventus's recent 2-1 victory over Monza, where he opened the scoring with a well-taken volley in the 14th minute.

The goal helped end Juventus's run of four consecutive Serie A draws and maintained their 25-match unbeaten league streak - currently the longest in Europe's top five leagues. McKennie's strike came from a corner routine, with the American showing excellent positioning to volley home amid defensive confusion.

His contribution against Monza added to an impressive season tally of four goals and two assists in 17 appearances across all competitions. The performance exemplified why Juventus is keen to secure his long-term future, with the club particularly benefiting from tax savings on his salary through Italy's Growth Decree.

The American's transformation from potential departure to key player underlines his importance to Motta's tactical flexibility, with Juventus now sitting six points behind league leaders Atalanta as they prepare for their next fixture against Fiorentina on Sunday.

Pulisic Back in Training

 Winger Could Be Back for Weekend Clash with Roma

Christian Pulisic could make a quicker-than-expected return from his calf injury, with the AC Milan star targeting the Sunday clash against Roma at San Siro for his comeback, though the new year seems the more likely return date.

The American winger, who suffered a low-grade soleus muscle tear in his right calf following a challenge from Atalanta's Mario Pasalic in early December, has shown encouraging signs of recovery. Pulisic has already resumed individual training at Milanello following the Christmas break.

His potential return would provide a significant boost for Paulo Fonseca's side, who have struggled to maintain their attacking fluency in his absence. The injury interrupted what has been an outstanding season for Pulisic, who has contributed eight goals and six assists in just 20 matches across all competitions.

Off the pitch, Milan is moving to secure Pulisic's long-term future, with reports suggesting a contract extension until 2028 or 2029 is close to being finalized. The new deal would include an improved salary of €5 million per season, recognizing his impact since arriving from Chelsea. For now, all eyes are on the Roma fixture as Milan's American star eyes a return before the year's end.

McKennie Scores from Unlikely Position

Playing left-back again, the American volleyed home Juventus' opener 

Weston McKennie demonstrated his versatility and offensive instincts as he helped Juventus secure a crucial 2-1 victory over Monza at the U-Power Stadium on Sunday, ending the Bianconeri's 43-day wait for a Serie A win.

The American international, who started at left-back for the second game running before transitioning through multiple positions during the match, made his mark early by scoring the opening goal in the 14th minute. McKennie capitalized on a corner kick opportunity, showcasing his ability to find space in the box and convert set-piece chances.

"To win was very important, we have drawn too many games recently: three points before Christmas was crucial for us, for the fans, for each and every family. We're happy and we're moving forward," McKennie said. Juventus.com

His goal set the tone for Juventus, who were desperate to break their streak of four consecutive draws in the league. Though Monza would eventually equalize through Samuele Birindelli, Nico Gonzalez's winner ensured McKennie's contribution proved decisive in securing all three points.

Manager Thiago Motta praised McKennie's adaptability after the match, telling DAZN: "Gonzalez and McKennie are open to taking roles that they don't always hold, but they do it very well because they have a high level and it is a pleasure for a coach to work with lads who have this attitude."

McKennie's positional flexibility was on full display as he moved from left-back to midfield and even operated as a false nine before being substituted in the 89th minute. While his defensive statistics were modest, including nine recoveries and two interceptions, it was his attacking contribution that proved crucial in helping Juventus maintain their unbeaten record in Serie A this season.

Tillman Scores His 10th in All Competitions

Midfielder scores PSV's third in Victory over Feyenoord

Malik Tillman capped off a dominant PSV performance with a sublime strike as the Eredivisie leaders extended their advantage at the top with a convincing 3-0 victory over Feyenoord at the Philips Stadion on Sunday.

The American midfielder, who had shown his intent early in the match by testing Feyenoord goalkeeper Justin Bijlow in the fifth minute, eventually got his reward in the 63rd minute. With PSV already leading 2-0, Tillman struck a decisive blow to Feyenoord's title hopes, finding the far corner with an expertly placed shot from outside the area to make it 3-0.

The goal came at a crucial moment in the match, just minutes after Feyenoord's Santiago Gimenez had struck the crossbar at the other end. Tillman's clinical finishing effectively ended any hopes of a Feyenoord comeback and highlighted the gulf in quality between the two sides.

It was his seventh goal in the Eredivisie this season and 10th overall, with three scored in the Champions League. The 22-year-old's best season came for Rangers during the 22-23 season, where Tillman scored 11 goals in 43 appearances in all competitions — he has played 24 matches so far this season.

Statistics from the match underscore Tillman's influential performance beyond his goal. The midfielder recorded perfect shot accuracy, with all three of his attempts finding the target, while creating two chances for his teammates. Defensively, Tillman contributed significantly, winning seven of his twelve ground duels and completing two tackles. His all-round display helped PSV maintain control of the midfield and contributed to Feyenoord failing to register a single shot on target in the first half.

The victory, which extended PSV's lead over Feyenoord to ten points at the halfway stage of the season, served as a statement of intent from Peter Bosz's side. For Tillman, his goal and performance exemplified PSV's dominance on a night when they dealt a significant blow to their rivals' championship aspirations.

Aaronson Scores and Assists in Leeds Win

Midfielder Scores Sixth League Goal of the Season in Victory over Oxford

Brenden Aaronson continued his impressive run of form as Leeds United cruised to a 4-0 victory over Oxford United at Elland Road on Saturday, with the American midfielder both scoring and assisting in a dominant display.

The 24-year-old played a crucial role in Leeds' second goal of the match, combining effectively with Jayden Bogle on the right flank in the 58th minute. Their quick exchange of passes created the opening for Bogle to calmly slot home into the bottom corner, doubling Leeds' advantage.

Nine minutes later, Aaronson turned from provider to scorer, notching his sixth goal of the season. Manor Solomon, who had been influential throughout the match, slipped a well-timed pass to find Aaronson's run into the box. The U.S. international demonstrated some calmness with a well-composed right-footed strike to make it 3-0.

Leeds manager Daniel Farke, speaking to BBC Radio Leeds after the match, offered a balanced assessment of Aaronson's performance: "Brenden could sometimes be a bit more tidy but he is still a young lad and his numbers are quite good. He scores goals and he assists. Sometimes he has the tendency to put the ball over the crossbar but it was a really well-taken goal. That ice-cool finish will be good for his confidence."

The victory played out in front of 36,646 fans and marked Leeds' ninth consecutive win at Elland Road, helping maintain their promotion push. The result kept them in second place in the Championship, three points behind leaders Sheffield United. Aaronson's successful return to Leeds in 2024 continues to gather momentum as the team heads into their Boxing Day clash with Stoke City.

Adams Solid Again as Bournemouth Rolls

 Midfielder Strong in Cherries' Victory

Tyler Adams delivered a commanding midfield performance as Bournemouth secured a historic 3-0 victory at Old Trafford on Sunday, helping the Cherries climb to fifth place in the Premier League at Christmas.

The American midfielder, continuing his impressive return from injury, controlled the center of the park during his 89-minute display. Adams' influence was particularly evident in the build-up to Bournemouth's second goal, where he regained possession before Justin Kluivert was fouled in the penalty area.

Statistics highlight Adams' typical all-action display: he won four out of five tackles, made three interceptions, and emerged victorious in seven of his ten ground duels. His defensive prowess helped Bournemouth maintain control throughout the match, while he completed 32-of-42 passes.

The victory marked Bournemouth's second consecutive 3-0 win at Old Trafford, with goals from Dean Huijsen, Kluivert and Antoine Semenyo securing the points. The result puts Andoni Iraola's side just three points off the top four.

For Adams, the performance showcased his importance to Bournemouth's system as he approaches full fitness. His return to form coincides with the Cherries' impressive surge up the table, having now accumulated 28 points from 17 games - six more than at this stage last season.

Richards' First Start Since September

 Defender Had a Tough Day in Defeat to Arsenal

Chris Richards earned his first start in 12 matches for Crystal Palace but endured a difficult afternoon as Arsenal ran out 5-1 winners at Selhurst Park on Saturday. The American defender replaced Trevoh Chalobah in Palace's back three as manager Oliver Glasner opted to shake up his defense following their midweek Carabao Cup defeat to the same opposition.

Despite completing 88% of his passes (42-of-48) and making six clearances, including four with his head, Richards struggled to contain Arsenal's attacking threats. The defender was part of a backline that conceded early, with Gabriel Jesus opening the scoring after just six minutes. Arsenal scored twice more in the first half before piling it on in the second. 

This was Richard's first start since the goalless draw with Manchester United on September 21st. Richards had managed just 10 minutes for Palace since that start and was even left on the bench for both of the United States' wins over Jamaica in November. The defeat leaves Palace searching for defensive solutions as they head into the holiday period.

"Twas the Night Before Christmas" - USMNT edition

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the States,
The soccer fans pondered the national team's fates.
Pulisic and McKennie were scoring with flair,
While hopes for World Cup glory filled the night air.

The players were scattered across Europe's best teams,
Some living out all of their Champions League dreams.
Weah in Turin, and Adams on the south coast,
While Jedi at Fulham was holding his post.

When at Copa América there arose such a clatter,
As Panama and Uruguay made our hopes scatter.
Away to a group-stage exit we flew,
With Berhalter's second tenure soon waving adieu.

Then what to our wondering eyes should appear,
But Pochettino bringing tactics so clear.
With the Nations League victories fresh in our mind,
The path to success we started to find.

"Now, Pulisic! Now, Weah! Now, Musah and Pepi!
On, McKennie! On, Adams! On, Turner and Balo!
To the top of CONCACAF! To answer the call!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As fans look ahead to twenty-six near,
When the World Cup at home will finally be here.
Twenty-three players, all ready to go,
Bringing hope to U.S. Soccer, putting on quite a show.

So Merry Christmas to all who wear red, white and blue,
As we dream of the conquests in twenty-six too.
And we'll train through the night with all of our might,
"Merry Christmas to soccer, and to all a good night!"

Johnny Sends Betis Through in Conference League

 Midfielder Pressed and Scored the Lone Goal in Victory

U.S. international Johnny Cardoso proved to be the hero for Real Betis on Thursday, scoring the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory over HJK Helsinki that secured the Spanish side's place in the Europa Conference League knockout stages.

The 23-year-old American midfielder capitalized on a crucial defensive error in the 27th minute at the Benito Villamarín Stadium. When Helsinki's goalkeeper Nijhuis attempted a risky pass to a teammate, Cardoso pounced on the loose ball, skillfully dribbled past goalkeeper Thijmen Nijhuis and calmly slotted it into an empty net. It was his first goal of the season and second since joining Betis.

Under manager Manuel Pellegrini, Betis controlled much of the match against their Finnish opponents, who hadn't played a domestic league match since October 19 due to their winter break. Despite facing several absences due to injuries and suspensions, Pellegrini trusted Cardoso to anchor the midfield alongside Sergi Altimira, and the American's performance justified that decision. Cardoso went the full 90 minutes over the weekend in a resilient 2-1 win over Villareal.

The victory was crucial for Betis, who had experienced a mixed European campaign thus far. After starting with a defeat in Warsaw and a draw against Copenhagen, they managed to steady their course with victories over Celje and Petrocub, though they also suffered a setback against Mladá Boleslav. Thursday's win ensures their progression to the knockout phase, where they'll compete in a playoff round before the round of 16.

Currently sitting ninth in La Liga, Betis will look to build on this momentum when they visit Rayo Vallecano on Sunday in their final match of 2024, before returning to action in the Copa del Rey against Huesca in the new year.