Morris Controlled the Midfield as Middlesbrough Edge Closer to Championship Playoff Spot
Aidan Morris put in another commanding performance as Middlesbrough secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers on Friday, strengthening their Championship playoff hopes. The win propelled Michael Carrick's side to fifth in the table, extending their impressive run to five victories in their last seven matches.
Morris, who joined Boro after over 100 appearances for Columbus Crew in MLS, was statistically the standout performer at Ewood Park. The 23-year-old won 14 duels (the most in the match), completed an impressive 92% of his passes, and drew five fouls from the opposition – again leading all players.
Learning under former Manchester United star Carrick has been instrumental in Morris's English football development. "Cristiano Ronaldo was my hero, for sure. But when I started learning more and understanding my position, it was guys like Scholes and Carrick," Morris told Sky Sports. "I just try and show up every single day and let him know, 'Give me as much information as you can. I'm here to learn and grow.'"
The Florida native has quickly adapted to the Championship's physical demands, noting: "You never get a pass off without contact. Someone will always be on you, hitting you." His ability to "control the chaos" was evident against Blackburn, where his composed midfield presence helped Boro maintain control throughout the match, even contributing three interceptions and 11 recoveries defensively.
With six games remaining, Morris and Middlesbrough now sit three points clear of seventh place as they continue their push for Premier League promotion.
Jedi Faces Liverpool Amid Transfer Interest as a Little USMNT Controversy Swirls
Antonee Robinson finds himself at the center of attention this weekend as Fulham prepares to host Premier League leaders Liverpool amid swirling transfer speculation and controversy over his recent national team absence. The American left-back, who grew up in Prescot on Merseyside, has caught Liverpool's eye with impressive performances, including a Man of the Match display in Fulham's 2-2 draw at Anfield earlier this season.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot acknowledged Robinson's quality ahead of Sunday's match, "He is definitely a threat. I saw this when Fulham played Arsenal and against us. He is having a great season." Slot also highlighted the tactical implications of facing an attack-minded fullback like Robinson, suggesting Mohamed Salah could exploit spaces left behind.
The 27-year-old defender has drawn criticism from USMNT legends Landon Donovan and Tim Howard after withdrawing from recent Nations League matches, citing tendinopathy, only to start Fulham's subsequent Premier League fixtures. Donovan expressed disappointment, saying it showed the Nations League was "at the bottom of his priority list."
Despite the controversy and persistent Liverpool transfer links, Robinson has maintained focus, telling ESPN: "Transfer rumors and stuff like that, I try not to look at." With over 130 Premier League appearances, the former Everton trainee will be key to Fulham's efforts to derail Liverpool's title charge, which currently sees them holding a 12-point advantage.
Paredes Returns to Wolfsburg Bench After Long Injury Layoff
American winger Kevin Paredes made his long-awaited return to the Wolfsburg squad on Friday, appearing on the bench for the first time this season in their 1-0 defeat to Heidenheim. Since preseason, the 21-year-old had been sidelined with a foot fracture, leaving a significant gap in Wolfsburg's wing options.
Paredes' last match action came during a club friendly against Brentford on August 9, 2024. His last competitive appearances date back to the 2024 Olympics, when he impressed with two goals and an assist across four matches for the United States.
The timing of his injury was particularly unfortunate as coach Ralph Hasenhüttl had reportedly planned a more prominent role for Paredes following his Olympic performance. After joining Wolfsburg from D.C. United in January 2022 for $7.35 million, Paredes had established himself with 55 total appearances for the German club.
While Paredes didn't see playing time against Heidenheim, his return provides a welcome boost to Wolfsburg who currently sit seventh in the Bundesliga table. The club will likely ease him back gradually, but his availability could prove vital for their European qualification hopes with important fixtures on the horizon, beginning with Sunday's match against Union Berlin.
On This Day in 1954, After Being Eliminated by Mexico, The US Beat Haiti Twice to Cap Off World Cup Qualifying
As the United States entered the 1954 World Cup qualifying campaign, expectations were tempered by organizational challenges and the looming shadow of Mexico's regional dominance. The Americans were attempting their first qualification effort since their historic 1950 World Cup appearance, where they had stunned England 1-0 in one of soccer's greatest upsets.
The qualification process began disastrously in Mexico. Internal disarray plagued the American side before they even took the field. The team, hastily assembled through tryouts in Chicago and New York, faced immediate eligibility issues when Mexican officials insisted on enforcement of FIFA's citizenship requirements. Several players were disqualified, forcing last-minute replacements. As one Mexican newspaper mockingly highlighted, "The American soccer players will meet each other on Wednesday, train on Thursday, and play Mexico on Sunday."
The lack of preparation showed in their opening match at the Olympic Stadium. Before 60,000 partisan fans, Mexico dominated the Americans 4-0, with William Sheppell of the United States inadvertently scoring an own goal that doubled Mexico's early lead. The Mexican coach had correctly anticipated the Americans would crowd their defense and ordered an immediate attack that caught the visitors before they could organize.
Four days later, despite showing marked improvement and actually taking a 1-0 lead through Bill Looby in the ninth minute, the Americans ultimately fell 3-1. The U.S. team appeared transformed, marking tightly and playing with vigor. Still, their energy waned in the later stages as Mexico scored twice in the final fifteen minutes to secure qualification to Switzerland.
With Mexico having already secured passage to the World Cup finals by defeating Haiti twice (8-0 and 4-0), the remaining matches between the U.S. and Haiti were essentially meaningless. The USSFA initially attempted to forfeit these games to avoid the expense but relented under FIFA pressure, agreeing to play both matches in Haiti on consecutive days.
Three months after the Mexico debacle, on April 3, 1954, the Americans secured a thrilling 3-2 victory in their first-ever visit to Haiti. The team, which had no training time together, somehow managed to edge the hosts in a tight contest at Magliore Stadium. Cornelius Casey opened the scoring in the 20th minute, and Efrain Chacurian doubled the American lead before halftime. Looby scored the insurance goal with less than 10 minutes remaining to push the score to 3-1 after Haiti scored one back.
The second match on April 4 proved even more convincing. On a rain-soaked field that became increasingly muddy as the game progressed, the United States and Haiti battled through a scoreless first half. The weather conditions deteriorated significantly, with a downpour at the 35-minute mark forcing a 15-minute delay. The 6,000 spectators held chairs over their heads for protection.
When play resumed, the dropping temperature and slippery conditions favored the Americans. The U.S. broke the deadlock in the second half with three unanswered goals. Harry Keough of St. Louis opened the scoring, followed by his fellow St. Louisan Looby. Both goals came after the Haitian goalkeeper lost his footing in the mud. Philadelphia's Walter Bahr completed the scoring with a free kick outside the penalty area that slipped through the Haitian goalkeeper's hands.
Defensively, goalkeeper Don Malinowski of Pittsburgh delivered a stellar performance to preserve the clean sheet. The 3-0 victory showcased the Americans' ability to adapt to the challenging conditions, as players from both teams "skated ludicrously on the mud" throughout the match.
The St. Louis contingent proved particularly influential, with four players from the city prominently featured. Beyond Keough and Looby, Ruben Mendoza starred in the forward line, while Herman Wecke solidified the backfield.
Despite this encouraging conclusion to their qualifying campaign, the success was bittersweet. Mexico had already secured the group's only qualification spot for Switzerland, and the American team would not play together again for more than a year. Their next international match would come in August 1955 when the team traveled to Iceland, leaving this moment of triumph in Haiti as a fleeting reminder of potential unfulfilled.
The 1954 qualifying campaign ultimately netted the USSFA a welcome $21,000 by playing all matches away from home, but the financial gain came at the expense of competitive advantage. The pattern of administrative priorities overshadowing on-field ambitions would continue to challenge American soccer's development on the international stage for years to come.
On This Day in 2005, Fulham Earned Its First Win in Five League Matches Thanks to an American Spark off the Bench
When Brian McBride arrived at Craven Cottage on January 31, 2004, few could have predicted the American striker's immediate impact on Fulham's fortunes. The London club had secured his signature from MLS for a reported $1.5 million (£800,000). McBride left behind his status as Columbus Crew's all-time leading scorer to test himself in the Premier League on a two-and-a-half-year contract.
The stakes were exceptionally high when McBride joined Fulham. As a 31-year-old striker with previous European experience at Preston North End, Everton and VfL Wolfsburg, expectations were tempered. Yet the American made an immediate impression, coming off the bench to score the winning goal in a 2-1 victory against Tottenham Hotspur on his debut—ironically beating fellow U.S. international Kasey Keller in goal.
McBride's first year at Fulham proved his worth, as he netted five goals in 18 appearances during the second half of the 2003-04 season. His steady scoring continued into the 2004-05 campaign, though manager Chris Coleman often deployed McBride as an impact substitute rather than a regular starter—a decision that would prove crucial on April 3rd at Craven Cottage.
The relegation battle intensified as Fulham prepared to face Portsmouth. Both sides had not won in five Premier League matches, and Fulham had failed to score in their previous four games across all competitions. The tension was palpable among the Cottagers' faithful, who had grown increasingly frustrated with Coleman's defensive 4-5-1 formation. They even chanted "4-4-2, 4-4-2" during their previous home game, a dull 0-0 draw with Charlton.
Coleman acknowledged the pressure but remained defiant about his tactical approach. "I will be changing the formation for this game. Not because of what the crowd or anyone outside the camp have been saying," he insisted before the match. "If you are not strong enough to pick the team you want and the formation you want, then you shouldn't be a manager."
The match began ominously for Fulham as Portsmouth took the lead in the 32nd minute through Lomana LuaLua, who skipped past defenders Zat Knight and Moritz Volz before unleashing a 15-yard shot that gave goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar no chance. Despite earning a penalty just before halftime when Dejan Stefanovic handled Andy Cole's cross, Steed Malbranque's spot-kick was saved by Jamie Ashdown, who also denied Luis Boa Morte's follow-up attempt.
Coleman sent his team out for the second half with renewed purpose. The breakthrough finally came on the hour mark when Cole slotted home the equalizer from the center of the penalty area. Then came McBride's moment.
Having just returned from international duty with the United States—where he had played in a World Cup qualifying loss to Mexico—McBride was introduced as a substitute for Claus Jensen in the 57th minute. The American's impact was immediately apparent, allowing Boa Morte to shift to his natural position on the left flank.
In the 81st minute, McBride capitalized on poor defending when Arjan de Zeeuw's attempted header back to his goalkeeper fell short. Ever alert, McBride pounced on the loose ball and acrobatically volleyed a 15-yard shot over the stranded Ashdown to give Fulham a precious 2-1 lead.
"He didn't start because he has just had a long flight back from America and couldn't have played the full 90 minutes," Coleman explained afterward. "But when I play with two strikers, Brian is always at the front of my mind because he works well with Andy Cole."
McBride's goal transformed the mood at Craven Cottage. Boa Morte sealed the victory in stoppage time by robbing Linvoy Primus before rounding Ashdown to make it 3-1. The win lifted Fulham above Portsmouth to 14th, opening a crucial six-point gap between themselves and the relegation zone.
After the match, a typically modest McBride deflected praise despite his match-winning contribution. "I always want to be out there on the field, but I have great respect for the coach and his decisions. Wherever he decides I'll be, I'll be. I'm not going to cause any problems. It's a team sport," the American said, who was back on the pitch minutes after the final whistle, playing with his two daughters.
The victory was a turning point for Fulham, who would ultimately secure Premier League survival comfortably. McBride finished the 2004-05 season with nine goals in all competitions before scoring 10 the following campaign. For McBride, the goal against Portsmouth was more than just a crucial win in a relegation battle—it cemented his status as a reliable performer who could deliver in the most pressurized moments, whether as a starter or from the bench.
Coleman, whose relief was palpable at the final whistle, remained cautious despite the win. "This was an important step forward, but I don't see it as breathing space for us," he said. "We need to build on this win, and I will not let my players relax." For Fulham and McBride, the journey to Premier League stability was only beginning, but the American striker had once again proven his worth at the highest level of English football.
On This Day in 2014, the Americans Raced Out to a Two-Goal Lead Before Settling a Friendly Draw
In their last match before World Cup preparation camps officially begin next month, the United States squandered a promising two-goal lead against rival Mexico. With just over two months remaining before the World Cup in Brazil, the result provided Jurgen Klinsmann both encouraging signs and clear warning signals about his team's readiness for soccer's biggest stage.
The Americans entered the April 2 friendly with significant questions surrounding their World Cup roster. Just days earlier, Klinsmann had made a surprising coaching staff change, dismissing longtime assistant Martin Vasquez, signaling that no one's position was safe.
"Anything can happen in the next couple of months," Klinsmann had warned before the match. "We observe them now week in and week out, and we put the puzzle together [based on] what is best for us going into Brazil. So anything is possible in a short period of time."
For 45 minutes at the University of Phoenix Stadium, it appeared the Americans had all the answers. Behind Michael Bradley's masterful midfield performance, the U.S. dominated the first half and established the familiar "Dos a Cero" scoreline, which has become a rallying cry in this heated rivalry. Since 2000, seven of America's 12 victories over Mexico have come by that exact 2-0 margin, creating a psychological edge for U.S. supporters.
Bradley opened the scoring in the 15th minute, finding space at the far post on a Graham Zusi corner kick and easily slotting home from six yards out. The midfielder wasn't done, later heading on Tony Beltran's cross to Chris Wondolowski, who finished clinically to double the American lead before halftime.
The match also marked the rare appearance of the American attacking triumvirate of Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, and Michael Bradley. Despite 339 combined national team caps, the trio has played together just four times during Klinsmann's 2½-year tenure.
But Mexico responded forcefully after the break. Rafael Marquez began the comeback by curling away from his defender on a Marco Fabian corner kick in the 49th minute. He found space between American center backs to head past the goalkeeper. Mexico completed the rally in the 68th minute when Alan Pulido pounced on a rebound after Paul Aguilar's shot hit the post. The teams settled for a 2-2 draw.
"I think we learned a lot today," Klinsmann said afterward. "We really had it under control for the first half, but I thought it took [the players] too long to get back into the game. They have to understand a game goes 90 minutes, and we haven't gotten to those 90 minutes."
The match also provided a glimpse at the potential future of U.S. Soccer, as 18-year-old Julian Green made his senior team debut. The German-American Bayern Munich prospect, who just completed his one-time switch to represent the United States last week, showed flashes of potential in limited minutes.
"You saw in some moments what this kid is capable of doing," Klinsmann said of Green. "You understand within 10 minutes if he's a good player or not. Julian is a very good player."
With just weeks remaining before Klinsmann must submit his final 23-man roster for Brazil, the team's mixed performance against Mexico highlighted its potential and vulnerabilities. Many MLS-based players used the match as their final audition, and a record number of domestic league players could make the World Cup squad.
"I think we have maybe 55, 60 [minutes] maximum on that level," Klinsmann noted about his team's endurance. "It's not enough. So that means we have a lot of homework to do."
The Americans will begin their pre-World Cup training camp next month, where they'll continue preparing for a challenging group that includes Ghana, Portugal, and Germany. With undeniable talent but lingering questions about consistency and defensive stability, the road to Brazil remains a work in progress for this team.
On This Day in 2009, the 19-Year-Old "Came of Age" in a World Cup Qualifying Victory over Trinidad and Tobago
At just 19 years old, Jozy Altidore had become the name on every American soccer fan's lips. Standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 175 pounds, the young striker possesses the rare combination of size, speed, and technical ability that has long eluded U.S. Soccer. His journey from the youth ranks of the New York Red Bulls to a record $10 million transfer to Spain's Villarreal marked him as American soccer's next great hope, even as his European club career has experienced growing pains.
"He's not happy about the fact that he isn't playing, but you get the sense that he realizes he has to work harder and improve," U.S. coach Bob Bradley noted about Altidore's situation at Xerez. In this second-division Spanish club, he had yet to play a single minute since being loaned there in January 2009.
Despite these club struggles, Altidore's international career took a dramatic turn during a four-day span that transformed his reputation and the U.S. Men's National Team's World Cup qualifying campaign. First came his crucial 77th-minute header against El Salvador that sparked an improbable comeback in a hostile environment.
The Americans had entered that match as heavy favorites but found themselves in a nightmare scenario, trailing 2-0 after 72 minutes at the intimidating Estadio Cuscatlán. Altidore's powerful header from Frankie Hejduk's cross provided a lifeline and set the stage for Hejduk's equalizer minutes later, salvaging a vital point in the 2-2 draw.
"To come back with 30 minutes left and get a point is a positive," goalkeeper Brad Guzan said after that match. "It shows just how good this team is."
If the El Salvador comeback demonstrated the team's resilience, the subsequent 3-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago on April 1 at Nashville's LP Field showcased its attacking potential—with Altidore firmly at the center. Before a Tennessee-record soccer crowd of 27,959, the teenage striker delivered a historic performance that announced his arrival on the international stage.
The revamped American lineup featured Altidore paired with Brian Ching up front, with Landon Donovan positioned wide left and Clint Dempsey on the right. The tactical adjustment paid immediate dividends in the 13th minute when Donovan controlled a ball with his chest and delivered a pinpoint cross into the penalty area. Altidore, displaying the instincts of a natural goalscorer, broke free of defender Aklie Edwards and beat goalkeeper Clayton Ince for the opening goal.
His second strike in the 71st minute showcased his maturing technical skills. After an excellent combination play involving Michael Bradley, DaMarcus Beasley, and Donovan, Altidore received the ball in the box, expertly faked Trinidad's stand-in captain Dennis Lawrence, and calmly slotted a low shot inside the far post.
The historic hat trick was completed just before the final whistle in the 89th minute. Michael Bradley played the ball into the box to Donovan, who unselfishly laid it back to Altidore. His 20-yard shot slipped under the goalkeeper's hands, cementing his place in the record books as the youngest American to score an international hat trick.
"It's pretty cool," Altidore said of his achievement. "Most important is we came out, and the guys rebounded from the El Salvador game, and we made a statement—made a statement we are one of the teams to be reckoned with in CONCACAF."
The comprehensive victory starkly contrasted the struggle in El Salvador just days earlier. With Tim Howard returning from suspension, the American backline regained its organization and composure. Trinidad and Tobago, playing without suspended captain Dwight Yorke, managed just one shot on goal throughout the match.
"We just weren't very good tonight," admitted Soca Warriors captain Dennis Lawrence. "When you come to the U.S., and you don't perform up to your capabilities, that's the result you're going to get."
All three goals came off of assists from Landon Donovan, and the victory highlighted a potential dynamic partnership between America's all-time leading scorer and its emerging star. While Donovan needed 107 appearances to reach his 37 goals, Altidore has already netted six times in just nine international appearances.
"I'm finally understanding what's needed to be successful," reflected Altidore, who suddenly found himself at the forefront of American soccer's future.
The win solidified the United States' position in the final round of CONCACAF qualifying. With seven points from three matches, the United States is ahead of Costa Rica (six points), Honduras (four), and Mexico (three). With seven games remaining, the top three nations will qualify directly for South Africa 2010.
For Altidore and the American team, Trinidad's victory represented more than just three points—a statement of intent. In a qualification process where nothing comes easily, the emergence of a clinical finisher addressed a longstanding need for a U.S. team with growing World Cup ambitions.
"He's a player that we've known for a while," Bob Bradley said. "He's going to be a big part of our team going forward. But things need to be earned. Things need to come at the right time."
For Jozy Altidore and the United States, that time appeared to be now.
On This Day in 2015, a Stunning Free-Kick Cancelled Out by Another Late Goal in a Draw in Europe
Less than a week after a disappointing 3-2 loss to Denmark—a match that painfully exposed the United States Men's National Soccer Team's vulnerability in late-game situations—the national team sought redemption on European soil. The Denmark match had become the latest chapter in a troubling narrative, with the Americans conceding late goals at an alarming rate since the 2014 World Cup.
Before the Denmark defeat, the U.S. had struggled through inconsistent performances in the months following their Round of 16 exit in Brazil. Coach Jurgen Klinsmann was still wrestling with lineup challenges, rotating players in these European friendlies, and seeking to build a more resilient team capable of maintaining leads against quality international opposition.
The March 31 match against Switzerland at Stadion Letzigrund in Zurich was more than just another friendly. It represented an opportunity for the U.S. team to demonstrate progress in addressing their late-game collapses. With Switzerland having qualified for the 2014 World Cup and advanced to the knockout stage, too, the Americans hoped to prove they could compete with established European sides for a full 90 minutes. However, what unfolded on that spring night in Zurich would add another frustrating chapter to an increasingly concerning pattern.
The match unfolded against a backdrop of experimentation and transition. Klinsmann had been introducing new faces to the squad, including Stanford forward Jordan Morris, who replaced the injured Aron Johannsson. Another newcomer, Mexican-American goalkeeper William Yarbrough, would make his international debut as a second-half substitute.
The evening began with tactical discipline from both sides. The U.S. team created better chances in the first half, with Alejandro Bedoya repeatedly exploiting the Swiss left flank. Twice, Bedoya delivered inviting crosses from the right, but Gyasi Zardes blazed a left-foot volley high and wide in the 15th minute. The Nantes winger cut the ball back from the byline, and Michael Bradley fired well over in the 26th minute.
Brek Shea, playing in an unfamiliar left-back position, provided the magic moment just before halftime. After calling Jozy Altidore off the free kick, Shea confidently stepped up and curled a spectacular left-footed strike into the upper corner beyond Swiss goalkeeper Roman Buerki in the 45th minute. It marked Shea's fourth international goal and the first free-kick goal for the Americans since August 2013.
"I went up to it, and I've been working on it lately," Shea reflected. "I called Jozy off of it and said it was for a left-footer, and he let me take it, and I scored."
The halftime lead was the ninth straight match in which the Americans had scored in the first half. However, the recurring challenge was maintaining that advantage after the break.
The match's decisive moment came in the 68th minute, which had nothing to do with skillful play. Veteran forward Jozy Altidore, who had been enjoying strong recent performances for the national team, committed a rash foul on Swiss defender Francois Moubandje from behind. What followed proved catastrophic for the American side. Altidore directed verbal abuse at Italian referee Luca Banti, who immediately produced a red card, reducing the U.S. to ten men for the final twenty-two minutes.
Swiss pressure mounted relentlessly after the dismissal. In the 79th minute, the Americans narrowly escaped when defender John Brooks's attempted clearance rolled just wide of his own goal. Five minutes earlier, Swiss substitute Pajtim Kasami had headed over an open goal from close range.
The inevitable equalizer came in the 80th minute. Following a short corner kick, Granit Xhaka crossed into the penalty area, where defenders Timmy Chandler and Alfredo Morales both attempted to head the ball clear. Their collision left the ball bouncing freely in front of goal, and substitute Valentin Stocker pounced, poking home from just two yards out past the debuting Yarbrough.
Klinsmann saw the match as another painful lesson for his developing squad. "Obviously, we are disappointed with another late goal," he commented. "But I think the team showed a lot of character after going down to ten men. We need to learn how to close out these games."
The 1-1 draw extended a troubling pattern for the American side. In their last 13 matches, they conceded 13 goals from the 80th minute onward. Since the previous June, the U.S. had been outscored by a staggering 12-1 margin in the second half of matches.
It wouldn't be the Americans' last European test in the coming months. The team was scheduled to face Mexico in San Antonio on April 15 before returning to Europe for challenging away fixtures against the Netherlands in Amsterdam on June 5 and World Cup champions Germany in Cologne on June 10.
Meanwhile, off the pitch, thirteen U.S. Senators, including Wisconsin Republican Ron Johnson, Illinois Democrat Richard Durbin, and Arizona Republican John McCain, sent a letter to FIFA president Sepp Blatter the day after the Switzerland match. The lawmakers urged FIFA to consider taking the 2018 World Cup out of Russia because of what they called that country's "ongoing violations of the territorial integrity of Ukraine," suggesting that allowing Russia to host would "inappropriately bolster the prestige" of President Vladimir Putin's regime.
For now, though, Klinsmann and his squad faced the more immediate challenge of solving their late-game defensive frailties before facing their arch-rivals Mexico. Brek Shea summed up after the Switzerland draw: "Obviously, last game we were a bit disappointed, but they put in a good shift. And then this game, we went up and then getting a red card, it's hard, but the boys did well to grind out a result."
In a pulsating Sevilla derby with the Estadio Benito Villamarin buzzing excitedly, Johnny Cardoso emerged as one of the key protagonists in Real Betis' thrilling 2-1 comeback victory over their fierce rivals. Making a triumphant return from injury, Cardoso's equalizing goal demonstrated his technical prowess and underscored his growing importance to Manuel Pellegrini's Champions League-chasing side.
The New Jersey-born midfielder showed perfect timing and technique when he volleyed home a sublime cross from Youssouf Sabaly midway through the first half. The build-up was a testament to Betis' patient approach, with Pablo Fornals releasing Sabaly down the flank with an incisive pass. Rather than rushing his delivery, Sabaly measured his approach, taking down his defender before floating an inviting ball that Cardoso met with conviction, sending it powerfully into the net.
This vital equalizer came after Sevilla had taken an early lead through Ruben Vargas, who had hammered home following excellent work from Dodi Lukebakio. Cardoso's goal shifted momentum firmly in Betis' favor, setting the stage for Cucho Hernandez to net the winner before half-time following a brilliant combination between Jesus Rodriguez and former Sevilla playmaker Isco.
The goal marked Cardoso's third of the season, following previous strikes against giants Real Madrid and HJK Helsinki in the UEFA Conference League. His performance was significant after injury issues had kept him sidelined recently, including limiting his participation with the US during the CONCACAF Nations League. With this sixth consecutive La Liga victory, Betis are now firmly in contention for Champions League qualification, sitting just behind fifth-placed Villarreal.
Tillman and Balogun Each Subbed On For Their Respective Clubs This Weekend
Malik Tillman made a significant step in his recovery journey this weekend, featuring for PSV Eindhoven in their match against Ajax on Sunday. The American midfielder played the entire second half, marking an earlier-than-anticipated return from a serious ankle ligament injury sustained last December. Initially, there were concerns that Tillman might miss the remainder of the season, but his comeback puts him in contention for Mauricio Pochettino's USMNT Gold Cup squad this summer.
Despite Tillman's return bringing positive news for PSV, the match resulted in a disappointing outcome for the reigning Dutch champions, who fell nine points behind league leaders Ajax in the Eredivisie title race, making their chances of retaining the championship increasingly unlikely.
Meanwhile, Folarin Balogun also marked his return to action, making his first league appearance for Monaco since undergoing shoulder surgery in December. The forward came off the bench in the 76th minute during Monaco's 2-1 victory over OGC Nice on Saturday. Balogun recorded nine touches and one off-target shot attempt during his brief cameo.
Balogun's return is particularly significant for the USMNT, as the striker has missed every camp under new manager Mauricio Pochettino due to injury. This summer will mark his first opportunity to work with the Argentine coach ahead of both the June international window and the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
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