Monday Morning USMNT Roundup

How did Americans abroad fare the weekend 5/13-5/14

Name - Fotmob rating (score). © = captained the squad

Weston McKennie - 6.9 (Leeds 2-2 Newcastle)

Oh Leeds, Leeds, Leeds. What are we going to do with you? A favorite for many US Soccer fans to watch this season but we find ourselves watching a club crash and burn into a relegation fight. Allardyce was able to nab a point against a tough Newcastle opponent thanks to the fight within the squad.

McKennie himself played a large part in the good result providing some of his best qualities to the team. His headers, his dribbling ability, and even his long throws all played their part in the draw. Leeds lined up in convoluted formation but probably looked most like a 5-3-2. Weston was an important pivot to help defend deep but flexed his attacking muscle as well connecting to the two forwards. If Leeds are going to stay up they’ll need McKennie to bring this version himself in the last two matches.

Brenden Aaronson - 5.8 (Leeds 2-2 Newcastle)

It seems Sam Allardyce doesn’t rate Aaronson for the way he wants to play against the big teams. Having said that, Aaronson came on for the last few minutes of the match and helped to lock in the important point for Leeds United with two matches left.

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Antonee Robinson - 7.2 (Southampton 0 - 2 Fulham)

Jedi continues to raise his value for a surprisingly effective Fulham squad. With Mitrovic back in the lineup Fulham was able to stretch the pitch and get Antonee Robinson up and down the left side. The result locked in Southampton’s fate of playing in the English Championship next season. It feels like a big club could come in and scoop Robinson in the summer window.

Paxten Aaronson - 5.7 (Frankfurt 3 - 0 Mainz)

With the U20 roster out we know Frankfurt has not released the younger Aaronson brother for the international competition. Aaronson played the final five minutes in Frankfurt’s big win over Mainz as they chase the final European spot in the Bundesliga. With only two matches left in the season they trail Wolfsburg for 6th place.

Jordan Pefok - 6.2 (Union Berlin 4 - 2 SC Freiburg)

Speaking of European spots in the Bundesliga, Union Berlin will be the feel-good story of the season if they can hold onto a Champions League place. Pefok played his part in the final 30 minutes to help Union Berlin capture three important points from the team right below them in the table. He’s slowed his goal scoring production but the hold-up play and pressing continues to add value to his club’s form.

John Brooks - 7.3 (Hoffenheim 1 - 2 Wolfsburg)

John Brooks continues to play himself back into the USMNT conversation with stellar performances for Hoffenheim. Playing against his former club Wolfsburg Hoffenheim were unfortunate to not get at least a point from this game. Brooks won his aerial duels and lead the backline effectively. Neither of Wolfsburg’s goals were Brooks’ responsibility but they still have more work to do to stay in the division.

Mark McKenzie - 5.8 (Genk 0 - 3 Union St. Gilloise)

Oof. McKenzie has been in blistering form for Genk recently but it all came crashing down this weekend. After 34 matches Belgium splits their best four teams into a “playoff championship” where each team plays a home and away vs the other three opponents. Genk and McKenzie for that matter will need to pull off better performances in their last three matches of the season if they are to win the league.

Djordje Mihailovic - 6.3 (AZ Alkmaar 5 - 1 FC Emmen)

Mihailovic got a five minute run out to end the match while Alkmaar build momentum into this Thursday’s Europa Conference League semi-final vs West Ham while down 2-1 on aggregate. I expect Mihailovic to feature in that match and we’ll see much more of him for Alkmaar next year as they gear up for another European campaign.

Gio Reyna - 7.3 (Dortmund 5 - 2 Gladbach)

Reyna came off the bench and had another supersub performance which included a tidy finish to seal the game. Playing just 100 more minutes this season than last in the Bundesliga, Reyna currently has 7 goals to his name scoring a goal every 83 minutes of play. Dortmund continue to chase down Bayern for the German title but the Bavarians also took care of business this weekend with a 6-0 victory over Schalke.

Marlon Fossey - 6.5 (Standard Liege 2 - 2 Westerlo)

A rarely discussed American may be catching Mark McKenzie for the best performing USMNT eligible player this year in Belgium. He started and played the first 45’ in his club’s draw with Westerlo. It looks like at the moment Standard Liege will miss out on Europa Conference Playoffs by one league table position.

Rokas Pukstas - 7.9 (Hajduk Split 3 - 0 Osijek)

The player everyone was excited to see be named to the USA U20 World Cup roster, Pukstas put in another stellar performance for the Croatian leaders Hajduk Split. The 18 year old midfielder has forced his way into the starting lineup. In this weekend’s match, Pukstas received credit for an assist on a glancing header from a corner kick that fell to a friendly boot. Otherwise he had a strong match winning 4/4 aerial duels and probably should have scored with his only shot on target.

Julian Green - 8.9 (Greuther Furth 2 - 2 Eintracht Braunschweig)

Let’s talk about one of the only active USMNT players with a goal in a World Cup knockout round. The 27 year old Green scored both goals in Furth’s 2-2 draw and played all 90 minutes to win Man of the Match honors. Furth have had a disappointing season so far in 2. Bundesliga and haven’t quite been able to challenge for the promotion spots. Still in the prime of his career I could see Green making the move back into the Bundesliga via a transfer from a mid/lower table side.

Tanner Tessman - 7.7 (Venezia 3 - 2 Perugia)

Venezia are on a tear and have moved from relegation candidate to promotion hopefuls in the span of five matchdays winning 13 of a possible 15 points. Tessman’s play has been a large part of that improvement for the squad providing solidity along the spine of the team. Tessman completed 85% of his passes and created two dangerous chances over 90 minutes while Venezia closed in with one match left to the promotion playoff spots.

Gianluca Busio - 6.0 (Venezia 3 - 2 Perugia)

While Tessman has been crucial to Venezia’s climb up the table Gianluca Busio has found himself on the periphery of the starting XI. Busio came on to play the final 28 minutes next to his international partner Tessman. Nothing really of note came of Busio’s play, and with only one match left to play in the season he may end this year with 0 goal contributions in 27 appearances.

Ethan Horvath - 5.9 (Sunderland 2 - 1 Luton)

In the first match of the English Championship promotion playoff Ethan Horvath made two saves and allowed two goals on 1.65xG. Completing 59% of his passes and 49% of long balls, Horvath had a rougher day than usual in Luton’s loss. They’ll have the opportunity to exact revenge and make it to Wembley while playing at home tomorrow at 3pm ET.

Lynden Gooch © - 7.1 (Sunderland 2 - 1 Luton)

Gooch captained his Sunderland side to a 2-1 victory over Horvath and Luton. Playing in his preferred leftback role Gooch played all 90 minutes completing 64% of his passes and winning 67% of his ground duels on defence. Sunderland played a bright, attacking style of football that was pleasing on the eye. Lynden Gooch should not be slept on as a fullback option for the USMNT as he is still only 27 years old.

Zack Steffen - 6.5 (Coventry City 0 - 0 Middlesbrough)

Steffen played in the other side of the Championship promotion playoff and kept a clean sheet, but that doesn’t really tell the whole story. Steffen faced 0 shots on target and made 0 saves. He did complete 77% of his passes and obviously keeping a clean sheet is what you want from any keeper. Middlesbrough will face Coventry at home on Wednesday afternoon 3pm ET in the return leg.

Luca de la Torre - 6.6 (Celta 1 - 2 Valencia)

de la Torre lined up on the left side of a 4-4-2 which didn’t quite work against the 4-2-3-1 of Valencia. He started and played 55’ completing 28/29 passes and receiving a yellow card during his time. Celta’s loss and Valencia’s win brought them within two points in the table.

Yunus Musah - 6.3 (Celta 1 - 2 Valencia)

As de la Torre subbed off Musah came on in the 61’ so neither American lined up against the other. Musah completed 60% of his passes but 0/4 of his dribble attempts. Tough day at the office for Musah but he won’t care as Valencia get three points closer to safety. With four matches left to play they’ve put some distance between themselves and the final drop spot.

Erik Palmer-Brown - 5.1 (Troyes 0 - 4 Rennes)

Even before this match Troyes is essentially relegated from Ligue 1. It was a good run for EPB in the first division but it doesn’t look like it will continue for much longer. EPB played poorly in the match and was the lowest rated of any defender for Troyes in a 4-0 whooping at the hands of Rennes.

Timothy Weah 6.2 (Monaco 0 - 0 Lille)

Weah finally got out of the left-back position for Lille and played across the front three. He couldn’t make much happen in a 0-0 stalemate but it was a good sign to see him start a match in a forward position and play the first 65’ before being subbed off. He did have two shot attempts and probably should have done better to put away a shot from 10 yards out.

Alex Zendejas - 6.2 (America 1 - 2 Atletico de San Luis)

The newly minted USMNTer played the final 25’ in Club America’s 4-3 aggregate playoff victory over Atletico de San Luis. He came on as a sub to threaten with his pace and goal scoring ability, which kept the opponent honest in the final few minutes. Club America will now face Chivas in the Liga MX Clausura semi-final.

Did not play:

George Bello

Christian Pulisic

Chris Richards

Kevin Paredes

Matt Turner

Bryan Reynolds

Joe Scally

Did not make squad:

Gaga Slonina

Justin Che

Sergino Dest

Injured:

Tyler Adams

Tim Ream

Taylor Booth

Malik Tillman

CCV

Sam Vines