Johnny's First La Liga Goal

On This Day in 2024, the Midfielder Scored a Banger for the Insurance Goal in a Victory over Athletic Club

Johnny Cardoso's meteoric rise in Spanish football reached new heights last winter. The American midfielder scored his first La Liga goal in Real Betis' 3-1 victory over Athletic Club and was named La Liga's U23 Player of the Month.

The 22-year-old New Jersey native, who completed a €4-5 million move from Brazilian club Internacional in December 2023, has experienced a remarkably swift adaptation to Spanish football. Despite expectations of a lengthy adjustment period to European football, Cardoso had instead become an integral part of Manuel Pellegrini's squad since his debut against Barcelona on January 21

His crowning moment came on February 25 at the Benito Villamarín, where he sealed Betis' victory over Athletic Club with a thunderous strike. With his team already leading 2-1 against 10-man Athletic in the 67', Cardoso unleashed a powerful shot that put the game beyond reach, earning him his second Man of the Match award of the month. After a counter-attack was slowed, Nabil Fekir played it off to Cardoso, who was trailing the play. He unleashed a one-time effort that curled to the far post. 

The goal was just one highlight in an extraordinary February for the U.S. international. After making his European debut in the Conference League against Dinamo Zagreb on February 15, Cardoso continued to impress in domestic competition. His stellar month included a crucial assist in a 2-0 victory over Cádiz on February 9, where he was named Man of the Match.

The midfielder's impressive form earned him recognition as La Liga's U23 Player of the Month, beating out prestigious competition from Real Madrid's Eduardo Camavinga, Barcelona's Lamine Yamal and others. The award caps a remarkable rise for a player who, just two months ago, was preparing to leave Brazilian football for his first European adventure. His consistent performances have also earned him a place in WhoScored's La Liga Team of the Month for February.

Betis, who identified Cardoso as a potential long-term replacement for Guido Rodriguez, has been pleasantly surprised by the American's rapid adaptation and impact. What started as a creative recruitment strategy targeting the Brazilian market has quickly transformed into one of La Liga's transfer coups of the season.

Nations League Preliminary Roster

60 Players are Available for Selection in March

The recently revealed preliminary roster for the CONCACAF Nations League Final Four shows that the U.S. Men's National Team appears well-positioned for the upcoming semifinals. The 60-man provisional list includes many of the program's top performers and some emerging talents.

Key veterans Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Gio Reyna headline the roster, providing the experience and quality crucial in tournament play. The midfield looks particularly strong, with Tyler Adams, Brenden Aaronson, Yunus Musah, and Johnny Cardoso all named to the provisional squad—though Reyna is the only one mentioned above who has not seen consistent playing time this winter.

As mentioned earlier, Josh Sargent's impressive form makes his inclusion in the attack opportune. The striker position remains competitive, with Jesus Ferreira also in contention. 

Several players demonstrated strong starts to MLS over the weekend. Jordan Morris made a statement with a brace in Seattle's 2-2 draw against Charlotte FC, while Djordje Mihailović scored twice in Colorado Rapids' 2-1 victory over LAFC in Concacaf Champions Cup play. Goalkeeper Zack Steffen also impressed, earning a clean sheet in Colorado's MLS season opener against St. Louis CITY.

Noahkai Banks and Damion Downs are among the few new names mentioned. At the same time, notable absences include injured players Folarin Balogun, Sergino Dest, Malik Tillman, and Ricardo Pepi, along with Haji Wright. Despite his recent playing time in the Eredivisie, PSV's Richy Ledezma's omission comes as a surprise.

The final 23-man roster will be announced by March 10, giving coach Mauricio Pochettino difficult decisions ahead of the semifinal against Panama on March 20 in Inglewood, California. The winner will face either Mexico or Canada in the final on March 23.

The USMNT qualified for the semifinals in November with a 4-2 aggregate victory over Trinidad and Tobago, and expectations are high that they will defend their Nations League title.

Richard's First Premier League Goal

On This Day in 2024, the Fro'd Centerback Nodded Home His First League Goal for Crystal Palace in the Club's Victory over Burnley

It took some time for Chris Richards to establish himself in England following the €12-million move to Crystal Palace from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2022. A leg injury in October halted his progress at the club, and he wouldn't make his first start in the Premier League until January 2023.

After a productive summer of 2023, where Richards scored his first US goal in the 2-0 win over Canada in the Nations League Final, the American returned to the bench for a majority of the first half of the season. However, with a growing injury list and lacking depth at certain positions, Richards was handed his first start of the season at central defensive midfield in the 1-1 draw with West Ham on December 3. Over the next three months, Richards started in 12-straight matches before the February 24 match against Burnley.

His moment of glory came in the 68th minute at Selhurst Park, breaking a tense deadlock against 10-man Burnley. After Palace recycled possession from a cleared corner, Jordan Ayew delivered an inviting cross from the right wing. Unmarked at the back post, Richards showed excellent anticipation to arrive at the perfect moment, stooping low to power home a header that would open the floodgates for Palace's victory.

Richards later told the official Crystal Palace website about his goal-scoring technique with characteristic humor. When asked if he had considered volleying instead, he said, "Nah, nah, no—I grew the Fro out so I could head it. I was ready for it."

The goal proved pivotal in Oliver Glasner's first match as Palace manager, with the Eagles scoring twice more through Jordan Ayew and Jean-Philippe Mateta. Operating on the left side of Glasner's newly implemented back three, Richards put in a composed performance beyond just his goal, completing 53-of-57 passes while helping Palace control possession throughout the match.

The victory is especially significant for Palace, as it pushes them eight points clear of the relegation zone and marks their biggest home league win since April 2022. For Richards, it represents another significant step forward in his development. He had proven he could impact both ends of the pitch in England's top flight. His first goal for the club couldn't have come at a better time, helping to usher in the Glasner era with a memorable victory.

As Crystal Palace made a strong push at the end of the season, Richards was right in the mix, starting and playing every minute in the last six Premier League matches. The Eagles earned 16 out of 18 points, finishing in 10th place—the club's joint-highest finish since promotion in 2013.

Sargent Scores Seventh in Six

Striker Notched Another Brace in Norwich's Win over Stoke

Josh Sargent continued his remarkable scoring form with a brilliant double as Norwich City secured a crucial 4-2 victory over Stoke City at Carrow Road on Saturday. The American striker's second-half brace helped the Canaries maintain their Championship play-off push, taking his tally to seven goals in his last six appearances.

After Lewis Dobbin had given Norwich a first-half lead, only for Lewis Baker to equalize before the break, Sargent took center stage with two contrasting but equally impressive finishes. His first came in the 48th minute, showing his predatory instincts to fire home after good work from Borja Sainz and Ante Crnac. However, his second goal truly showcased his growing confidence and technical ability, as he wrong-footed the Stoke defense before curling a magnificent left-footed effort into the top corner from 20 yards out.

"Quality-wise, without the scorpion kick against Watford, because that's a reaction, I think I'm probably the happiest with that one," Sargent reflected after the match. "It went exactly where I wanted to hit it, and it was a good goal. Jack Wilshere was saying in the dressing room that when I did it, he was saying, 'No, don't cut onto your left.' And he was like, 'alright, fair enough.'"

Norwich head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup praised his in-form striker, who now has 15 goal contributions in just 20 Championship appearances this season. "For what we're doing here, I think probably Josh is the best fit for us, because he can hold the ball well and he can link up with the other offensive players," Thorup said. "He has a very good timing when to arrive in the box, and then you also have his pace that we need sometimes to be able to run in behind. I'm not swapping him with anyone else."

The victory, sealed by a Junior Tchamadeu own goal before Baker's late penalty, leaves Norwich four points behind sixth-placed Blackburn Rovers ahead of their crucial clash at Ewood Park next weekend. With Sargent in this form, the Canaries' play-off hopes remain alive.

Pulisic's First Missed Penalty

Winger's Penalty Saved As Milan Falls to Torino

Christian Pulisic experienced the first penalty miss of his professional career as AC Milan suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Torino in Serie A on Saturday. The American forward's perfect record from the spot, which included 12 successful conversions stretching back to 2014, ended when Torino goalkeeper Sergej Milinkovic-Savic saved his first-half effort.

The crucial moment came in the 31st minute after a handball by a Torino defender gave Milan a chance to equalize following an early own goal by Malick Thiaw. Pulisic stepped up confidently, having previously converted seven penalties for the U.S. national team, three for Milan, one for Borussia Dortmund's youth team, and one for the U.S. Under-17s. However, his low strike was well-read by Milinkovic-Savic, who dove to his right to make the save.

The miss proved costly for Milan, who had to wait until the 74th minute for Tijjani Reijnders to level the score. Two minutes later, Torino substitute Gvidas Gineitis restored the hosts' lead. The defeat left Milan in seventh place, six points adrift of the Champions League places.

Reflecting on a difficult evening, Pulisic took to social media to address Milan's supporters. "Really tough week. Hate letting down this amazing fan base. Will give everything to finish this season on a positive note," he wrote on Instagram. The save continued an impressive run of form for Milinkovic-Savic, who has now saved four of the five penalties he has faced this season – more than any other goalkeeper in Europe's top five leagues.

Pulisic will look to bounce back when Milan faces Bologna on Thursday. The American is expected to retain his place in the starting lineup as the Rossoneri attempt to revive their faltering top-four hopes.

Rare Start for Gio

Midfielder Made Second League Start of the Season in Dortmund Victory

Borussia Dortmund manager Niko Kovac gave Giovanni Reyna a rare start on Saturday, playing 70 minutes in an attacking midfield role as BVB secured an emphatic 6-0 victory over Union Berlin. The appearance marked just the second Bundesliga start of the season for the U.S. international, who has struggled for consistent playing time throughout the campaign.

Despite contributing to a convincing team victory, Reyna had a relatively quiet individual performance. The 22-year-old managed just one touch inside the opposition penalty area. While he maintained solid passing accuracy, completing 20 of 23 attempts, his defensive contribution was less effective, with only three successful tackles from seven attempts in midfield.

Notably, Dortmund's attack came alive after Reyna's substitution in the 70th minute, with the team scoring four times in the final 20 minutes. It was Reyna's first start since the Champions League appearance against Bologna on January 21. The win was highlighted by a remarkable four-goal performance from striker Serhou Guirassy.

The rare start comes at a crucial time for Reyna's future, as he enters the final year of his contract with Dortmund. The club is reportedly open to reasonable transfer offers, having previously been willing to sell him for around €20m last January. Since the start of the 2021 season, Reyna has started just 12 Bundesliga games, with injuries and coaching changes contributing to his limited opportunities.

Dortmund hopes this commanding victory can spark a turnaround in their domestic form, as it has represented only their second Bundesliga win since the start of 2025. They return to action next Saturday against FC St. Pauli, with Reyna hoping his performance was enough to retain his place in Kovac's starting lineup.

Gansler Resigns

On This Day in 1991, World Cup Manager was Removed from Post, Takes on New Role

Bob Gansler, the man who led the United States to its first World Cup appearance in 40 years, resigned as head coach of the U.S. National Team on February 23, following a disappointing 1-0 loss to Bermuda. The defeat, which marked the team's sixth consecutive game without scoring, was the final chapter in a tenure marked by historic achievement but persistent criticism.

Gansler's two-year reign as head coach produced a record of 14 wins, 17 losses and 5 draws. Still, it will forever be remembered for the dramatic victory in Trinidad and Tobago on November 19, 1989, that secured the United States' first World Cup qualification since 1950. However, the team's subsequent performance in Italy '90, where they lost all three group stage matches, combined with growing criticism of Gansler's conservative tactical approach, created mounting pressure on his position.

The change in U.S. Soccer Federation leadership from Werner Fricker to Alan Rothenberg had further complicated Gansler's situation. Rothenberg had openly criticized Gansler's methods and had made it clear the federation was seeking a replacement with more international experience. Rather than await dismissal, Gansler chose to step down.

"I've enjoyed my experience as coach of the national team," Gansler said after informing his players following the Bermuda match. "But I felt it was time to move on and give the players a little more certainty. The team we need to showcase was suffering, because neither the players nor I could perform at maximum potential under these circumstances. I guess lame ducks just don't fly that well." 

The USSF appointed John Kowalski, coach of Robert Morris College and the U.S. indoor team, as interim manager while searching for a permanent replacement. Gansler would transition to a new role as the federation's national director of coaching and player development, focusing on identifying top talent and upgrading coaching education programs.

Just one month after Gansler's departure, the USSF found its man in Bora Milutinovic, the Yugoslav coach who had led Mexico and Costa Rica to World Cup success. Fresh from guiding Costa Rica to the second round of the 1990 World Cup, Milutinovic signed a contract to lead the U.S. team through the 1994 World Cup on home soil. The experienced tactician expressed confidence in American soccer's potential, boldly declaring his mission was "to show everybody that even Americans know how to play soccer" and predicting the team could reach the second round of the '94 tournament.

Despite the disappointing end to his national team tenure, Gansler would find considerable success in professional soccer, leading the Kansas City Wizards to an MLS championship in 2000 and earning MLS Coach of the Year honors in the same season. While complex, his legacy with the national team includes the distinction of being the coach who ended America's four-decade World Cup drought.

McKennie Sets Serie A Record (For Now)

On This Day in 2021, the Midfielder Lashed Home His Fourth Serie A Goal, Surpassing Bradley for Most by an American

When Weston McKennie joined Juventus on loan from Schalke 04 in August 2020, he made history as the first American to don the famous black and white stripes of the Italian giants and he became just the fifth U.S. player to feature in Serie A. Wearing the number 14 shirt, McKennie wasted no time making his mark in Turin. His early performances showcased the versatility and energy that would quickly endear him to the Juventus faithful.

The American's first goal for the Bianconeri came dramatically during the Derby della Mole against city rivals Torino on December 5, when he netted a crucial equalizer in an eventual 2-1 victory. Just three days later, McKennie produced a moment of magic in the Champions League, scoring a spectacular scissor kick volley against Barcelona in a 3-0 win that secured top spot in their group. The new year brought continued success, as McKennie scored against AC Milan in a 3-1 victory on January 6, 2021, helping end the league leaders' 27-game unbeaten run.

On February 22, McKennie added another chapter to his growing legacy in Italian football. With Juventus already leading Crotone 2-0 thanks to a Cristiano Ronaldo brace, the American midfielder struck in the 66th minute. After Federico Chiesa delivered a cross into the box, McKennie showed excellent control before rifling the ball into the roof of the net. The goal was his fourth in Serie A, making him the highest-scoring American in the league's history, surpassing Michael Bradley's previous record of three goals during his time with Chievo and AS Roma.

True to his character, McKennie celebrated the historic moment with the Harry Potter celebration, pretending to cast a spell with an imaginary wand – a nod to his love of Harry Potter, complete with a tattoo to prove his devotion to the magical series. "I am actually a big Harry Potter fan," McKennie had explained to DAZN after a goal against Bologna a month earlier. "I have a tattoo on my hand, so it was a magic spell."

The 3-0 victory was crucial for Juventus, snapping a three-match winless run and moving them up to third place in the Serie A standings, eight points behind leaders Inter Milan with a game in hand. For McKennie, it was another milestone in what was proving to be a remarkable debut season in Italian football, as he continued establishing himself as a key figure in Andrea Pirlo's squad. His impressive performances and consistent impact led Juventus to trigger his purchase option early, and on March 3, secure his services permanently for €18.5 million plus potential bonuses.

Adams "Better Than Expected"

Midfielder Has Been Key to Bournemouth's Recent Success

Tyler Adams continues to prove instrumental in Bournemouth's remarkable Premier League campaign, with another stellar performance in their 3-1 victory over Southampton last Saturday. The U.S. international dominated the midfield with impressive statistics, including a 91 percent passing completion rate and 69 touches throughout the full 90 minutes, while also creating two attacking opportunities.

The win propelled the Cherries into fifth place in the Premier League standings, just one point behind Manchester City in the race for Champions League qualification. This latest success is part of an extraordinary run that has seen Bournemouth lose just once in their last 15 matches across all competitions.

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has been effusive in his praise for Adams, who has overcome early-season injury struggles to become a cornerstone of the team's success. "I think he's been the player we expected, even better probably," Iraola remarked. "Now that he's fully fit, available, full of energy, we are seeing the player he is. And I think he's a player that fits very well into our system."

The manager highlighted Adams' leadership qualities and tactical understanding, noting that the American midfielder serves as an additional coach on the field. "He has some natural leadership, and I think he understands the game quite well," Iraola observed, grouping Adams with other experienced midfielders who can "adjust things live in games."

Having recently turned 26, Adams has started seven consecutive matches for Bournemouth, contributing three assists during this period. His return to full fitness has coincided with the team's impressive form, which includes scoring 12 goals in their last four Premier League matches. With Adams orchestrating play from the center of the park, Bournemouth's pursuit of European football for the 2025-26 season appears increasingly realistic.

Weah Scores First Champions League Goal

Winger's Goal Stood After Some Confusion in Champions League Defeat

Tim Weah's first Champions League goal was bittersweet as Juventus crashed out of Europe's elite competition following a 4-3 aggregate defeat to PSV Eindhoven. The U.S. men's national team winger, deployed at right back, momentarily gave the Italian giants hope with a spectacular strike that briefly put them ahead in the tie.

The goal came after PSV had initially leveled the aggregate score through Ivan Perišić. When a Juventus free-kick from the left flank was only partially cleared, Weah seized his opportunity from outside the area. The American demonstrated excellent technique to hammer a low shot past an unsighted Walter Benítez in the PSV goal. Although the strike was initially ruled out for a potential offside, VAR intervened to confirm Weah's maiden Champions League goal.

However, the joy was short-lived, as PSV's relentless pressure eventually paid off. Ismael Saibari equalized before Ryan Flamingo's extra-time winner sent the Dutch side through to the round of 16, where they will face Arsenal.

"It's a very difficult moment," Weah reflected after the match. "We didn't progress to the next round and I'm very disappointed also because my goal didn't help. We lacked some aggression; we didn't manage to show it on the pitch as we should have."

The defeat highlighted Juventus's struggles to contain PSV's attacking threats throughout the second half, with the home crowd in Eindhoven driving their team forward. Despite Weah's moment of individual brilliance, the Italian side's defensive frailties were ultimately exposed, leaving them with only domestic competitions to focus on for the remainder of the season. The result means Inter will be Serie A's sole representative in the Champions League's round of 16.