GOAL US takes a look at Americans playing abroad, with big debuts and top players looking to continue memorable seasons
Americans turned in admittedly mixed showings in the Champions League this week: while Christian Pulisic was masterful for Milan, leading his club to a comfortable 3-1 win over Club Brugge, things were less convincing for Weston McKennie, Tim Weah and Juventus, who were bested by Stuttgart thanks to a 92nd-minute winner.
Elsewhere, those in the lower divisions performed, highlighted by a fine showing from Brendan Aaronson in the Championship – his form of late vanquishing memories of a poor international break for the USMNT. There are significant fixtures in Italy that Americans will feature in this weekend, as well as the standard slew of Championship battles and Dutch matchups.
It is admittedly hard to believe that another international break is just around the corner, too, with USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino likely already piecing together the skeleton of his second squad at the helm. This weekend will be big, then, for a number of key actors, chief among them Weah, who will need to deliver if Juve are to push up Serie A. And with Pulisic out after Milan's fixture with Bologna was postponed, eyes will be elsewhere.
GOAL US takes a look at Americans playing abroad, with big debuts on the cards and stars looking to continue memorable seasons.
GettyTyler Adams to return?
Adams was available to return last week after a long injury layoff, but Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola opted against using the USMNT man in the Cherries' comprehensive 2-0 win over Arsenal. This week, though, that seems likely to change. Adams almost certainly won't start – there's no need to rush a player who has been out for two-plus months. But he should be able to offer some valuable minutes.
His inclusion would seem to be made more pressing by some grim injury news for Iraola, who will go without midfielder Alex Scott for an extended period. But bad news for Bournemouth could prove to be a stroke of luck for Adams, who now has a clear path into the first team – and hopefully a run of good form ahead of the November international break.
AdvertisementGettyBrendan Aaronson to follow up on midweek magic?
Aaronson may have turned in a couple of patchy performances for the USMNT during Pochettino's first international window, but his club form continues to impress. A magical volley midweek took the U.S. attacking midfielder to four goal contributions on the season – a decent mark for someone deployed in markedly deeper areas than in previous campaigns. That strike – the second in a narrow 2-1 win over Watford – further cemented his credentials as a key player for the Whites this season.
He will have to continue to provide in the coming weeks, though, as the games in the Championship come fast and thick – and 10th-placed Bristol City are the immediate focus. They have a negative goal difference so far this season, and have struggled to keep the ball out of the net. This could be a fixture for Aaronson to capitalize.
GettyCould Tim Weah be the key in the Derby d'Italia?
Inter vs. Juventus will be a tasty one. Last year's champions are sitting narrowly above in Serie A, and are hoping to hunt down Napoli at the top of the table. It will be Tim Weah and Juventus' task to prevent that from happening. The American has been a bit part player under Thiago Motta this season, struggling with a couple of knocks before failing to crack into the side on a consistent basis.
This Sunday might present a good opportunity for him to flip that narrative, though. Motta will need the most out of his wide players against Inter's solid back three – and Weah has the kind of individual quality that could unlock that setup.
Meanwhile, McKennie might have to find his best in central midfield. Inter have plenty of creativity in the engine room, and their three-man system has proved to be a real handful against a litany of opponents. Motta will surely have some sort of plan to ensure that his team isn't outnumbered, but it will certainly be a fixture that requires plenty of legs from the USMNT midfielder.
Getty ImagesTillman to get another midfield look?
Attacking midfielders aren't sexy anymore. No. 10s, these days, are out of vogue. It is unfortunate for Tillman, then, that he has consistently played his best soccer in that position – or a slightly modified version of it, at least. That changed, to an extent, midweek, when PSV lined up in a more defensive way against PSG, with Tillman operating as more of a No. 8. And it worked a charm, as the Eredivisie leaders snagged a hard-earned point against the Ligue 1 giants.
It will be interesting to see, then, if that setup continues. Players have to be adaptable in the modern game – the more flexible a midfielder is, the better. And if Tillman is to get a move to a bigger league that his potential warrants , then perhaps a few more midfield showings could boost his credentials.