Drake Callender and DeAndre Yedlin performed under pressure in the shootout as Inter Miami won the first Leagues Cup.
Matt Turner just might have won over the hearts of the fans of his new team, Nottingham Forest.
Josh Sargent won a header and turned it into a goal that helped Norwich City remain unbeaten.
Ricardo Pepi wrote his name on the scoresheet for the first time for PSV Eindhoven in a UEFA Champions League qualifying win.
Aidan Morris had the first word for the Columbus Crew in its victory, and John Tolkin wound up with the last word in the New York Red Bulls' triumph.
And Tyler Adams and Sergiño Dest found new club homes in Europe.
They were just some of the highlights as the European season got into full swing and Major League Soccer returned to regular season action this past week.
GETTING THEIR (PENALTY) KICKS
Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender and defender DeAndre Yedlin showed their mettle in the penalty kick tie-breaker that determined the winner of the inaugural Leagues Cup on Saturday, August 19. Miami survived an 11-round shootout against host Nashville SC to win, 10-9, after playing to a 1-1 draw in regulation.
Callender, who was named the best goalkeeper of the competition, shined in regulation and penalties. He made five saves during the run of play, notably denying Walker Zimmerman's header from the center of the box in the 18th minute and knocking away Sam Surridge's 16-yard shot in the 77th minute.
Callender added two more two saves in the shootout, denying Randall Leal on Nashville's first kick and the final attempt by Nashville ‘keeper Elliot Panicco. To top it off, he converted the game-winning shootout goal, beating his counterpart to the upper left.
In the 10th round of the shootout, DeAndre put away his PK attempt, drilling a shot into the left corner for a 9-8 edge.
Zimmerman and defender Shaq Moore also converted their penalties for Nashville.
The post-match celebrations were particularly special for the 30-year-old Yedlin, received some special recognition from Lionel Messi. Upon his arrival with the club earlier this summer the Argentine superstar took over the captaincy from Yedlin, but paid respect to the veteran U.S. international after the game, giving the armband back to Yedlin and lifting the inaugural Leagues Cup trophy in tandem with him.
Inter Miami will try to qualify for the final of another competition as it visits FC Cincinnati in the semifinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, August 23 at 7 p.m. ET (Telemundo, Peacock, CBS Sports Golazo).
WINNING HOME DEBUT
He didn't come away with a clean sheet, but Matt Turner endeared himself to the hometown fans as he produced two vital saves in his Nottingham Forest home debut in a 2-1 win over Sheffield United in the English Premier League on Friday, August 18.
Turner first grabbed Vinicius Souza'a 34th-minute attempt from 24 yards. Then, with the game tied at 1-1 in the 79th minute, he made a diving save, parrying a shot by the onrushing Benie Traore in Forest's first victory of the campaign.
A HEADY PLAY
Josh Sargent scored his second goal of the EFL Championship season in Norwich City's 3-1 home victory over Millwall on Sunday, August 21.
The striker headed in Gabriel Sara's 30-yard free kick from the left side of the penalty area, a shot that hit the right post and bounded into the net for a 2-0 advantage in the 49th minute.
Norwich remained unbeaten at 2-0-1, placing them third in the EFL Championship table.
FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING
Ricardo Pepi connected for his first goal for PSV Eindhoven in its 3-1 victory over Sturm Graz in the second leg of its UEFA Champions League qualifier on Tuesday, August 15.
Pepi, who replaced Luuk de Jong at halftime, converted a penalty kick in the 85th minute for the final goal of the encounter.
PSV won the series 7-2 on aggregate, setting up a home-and-away date with Rangers for a place in the UCL proper. PSV will visit the Scottish giants in the first leg on Tuesday before the return fixture in Eindhoven on August 30.
THE EARLY SHOW
Columbus Crew midfielder Aidan Morris collected his fourth goal of the campaign, putting home a Yaw Yeboah feed in the 15th minute of a 3-0 home win over FC Cincinnati in the Hell is Real derby on Sunday, August 20.
THE LATE SHOW
Left back John Tolkin could not have picked a better time to score his first goal of the season. The 21-year-old drilled a 20-yard free kick around a five-man wall to beat goalkeeper Tyler Miller and lift the New York Red Bulls to a 1-0 home victory against D.C. United on Sunday, August 20.
HELPING OUT
A week after scoring his first EFL Championship goal for Coventry City, striker Haji Wright earned his first assist in a 1-1 draw at Swansea City on Saturday, August 19.
Wright set up Matthew Godden's 39th-minute tally inside the penalty area before the hosts equalized two minutes later.
ADAMS, DEST FIND NEW CLUBS
Two more USMNT players found new homes over the weekend as midfielder Tyler Adams transferred from Leeds United to Premier League side Bournemouth, while defender Sergiño Dest secured a season-long loan from Barcelona to PSV Eindhoven.
Adams’ move allows him to stay in the Premier League after Leeds were relegated last season, while Dest’s loan reunites him with fellow USA teammates Ricardo Pepi, Malik Tillman and former U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Earnie Stewart in Eindhoven.
FULL RUNDOWN
- Brenden Aaronson (Union Berlin; Bundesliga) - 76 minutes in 4-1 win vs. Mainz (August 20)
- Paxten Aaronson (Eintracht Frankfurt; Bundesliga) - Not in 18, DNP in 1-0 win vs. Darmstadt (August 20)
- Kellyn Acosta (Los Angeles FC; MLS) - Postponed vs. Colorado Rapids (August 20)
- Folarin Balogun (Arsenal; English Premier League) - at Crystal Palace (Monday, 3 p.m. ET)
- John Brooks (Hoffenheim; German Bundesliga) 90 minutes in 2-1 loss vs. Freiburg (August 19)
- Gianluca Busio (Venezia; Italian Serie B) - 81 minutes in 3-0 win vs. Como (August 20)
- Drake Callender (Inter Miami CF; MLS) - 90 minutes in 1-1 draw vs. Nashville SC (10-9 shootout win) in Leagues Cup (August 19)
- Johnny Cardoso (Internacional; Brazilian Serie A) - In 18, DNP in 1-0 loss vs. Fortaleza (August 19)
- Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic; Scottish Premiership) - Injured, DNP in 1-0 loss at Kilmarnock in Scottish League Cup (August 20)
- Cade Cowell (San Jose Earthquakes; MLS) - 73 minutes in 1-0 win at Vancouver Whitecaps (August 20)
- Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo, Spain La Liga) - 84 minutes in 1-1 draw at Real Sociedad (August 19)
- Sergiño Dest (FC Barcelona; Spanish La Liga) – Not in 18 for 2-0 win against Cádiz (August 20)
- Julian Gressel (Columbus Crew; MLS) - 90 minutes in 3-0 win vs. FC Cincinnati (August 20)
- Matthew Hoppe (San Jose Earthquakes) – In 18, DNP in 1-0 win at Vancouver Whitecaps (August 20)
- Ethan Horvath (Nottingham Forest; English Premier League) - In 18, DNP in 2-1 win vs. Sheffield United (August 18)
- Weston McKennie (Juventus; Italy Serie A) - 45 minutes as a substitute in 3-0 win at Udinese (August 20)
- Mark McKenzie (Genk; Belgian Pro League) - In 18, DNP in 0-0 draw vs. Sporting Charleroi (August 20)
- Matt Miazga (FC Cincinnati; MLS) - Not in 18, DNP in 3-0 loss at Columbus Crew (August 20)
- Djordje Mihailovic (AZ Alkmaar; Dutch Eredivisie) - 16 minutes as a substitute in 3-1 win at RKC Waalwijk (August 20)
- Shaq Moore (Nashville SC; MLS) - 90 minutes in 1-1 draw vs. Inter Miami CF (10-9 loss in PKs) in Leagues Cup (August 19)
- Aidan Morris (Columbus Crew; MLS) - 90 minutes, GOAL, in 3-0 win vs. FC Cincinnati (August 20)
- Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders; MLS) - 90 minutes in 2-0 loss vs. Atlanta United (August 20)
- Yunus Musah (AC Milan; Italy Serie A) - At Bologna (Monday, 2:45 p.m. ET)
- Jalen Neal (LA Galaxy; MLS) – Postponed vs. Real Salt Lake
- Kevin Paredes (Wolfsburg; Bundesliga) - 1 minute as a substitute in 2-0 win vs. Heidenheim (August 19)
- Jordan Pefok (Union Berlin; Bundesliga) - In 18, DNP in 4-1 win vs. Mainz (August 20)
- Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven; Dutch Eredivisie) - In 18, DNP in 3-1 win at Vitesse (August 19); 45 minutes as a substitute, GOAL, in 3-1 win at Sturm Graz in UCL qualifier (August 15)
- Christian Pulisic (AC Milan; Italy Serie A) - At Bologna (Monday, 2:45 p.m. ET)
- Tim Ream (Fulham; English Premier League) - 64 minutes, RED CARD, in 3-0 loss vs. Brentford (August 19)
- Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund; German Bundesliga) – Injured; Not in 18 for 1-0 win vs. FC Köln (August 19)
- Bryan Reynolds (Westerlo; Belgian Pro League) - 90 minutes in 2-1 loss at Anderlecht (August 20)
- Chris Richards (Crystal Palace; English Premier League) - vs. Arsenal (Monday, 3 p.m.)
- Antonee Robinson (Fulham; English Premier League) - 90 minutes in 3-0 loss vs. Brentford (August 19)
- Miles Robinson (Atlanta United; MLS) - 90 minutes in 2-0 win at Seattle Sounders (August 20)
- Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders; MLS) – Concussion Protocol; Not in 18 for 2-0 loss at Atlanta United (August 20)
- James Sands (New York City FC; MLS) – 61 minutes in 2-0 loss vs. Minnesota United (August 20)
- Josh Sargent (Norwich City; English Championship) - 80 minutes, GOAL, in 3-1 win vs. Millwall (August 20)
- Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach; Bundesliga) - 90 minutes in 4-4 draw at Augsburg (August 19)
- Gaga Slonina (Eupen; Belgian Pro League) - 90 minutes in 2-1 win at Kortrijk (August 20)
- Tanner Tessmann (Venezia; Italy Serie B) - 90 minutes in 3-0 win vs. Como (August 20)
- Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven; Dutch Eredivisie) - In 18, DNP in 3-1 win at Vitesse (August 19); Not in 18, DNP in 3-1 win at Sturm Graz in UCL qualifier (August 15)
- Timmy Tillman (Los Angeles FC; MLS) - PPD. vs. Colorado Rapids (August 20)
- John Tolkin (New York Red Bulls; MLS) - 90 minutes, GOAL, in 1-0 win vs. D.C. United (August 20)
- Auston Trusty (Sheffield; English Championship) - In 18, DNP in 2-1 loss at Nottingham Forest (August 18)
- Matt Turner (Nottingham Forest; English Premier League) - 90 minutes in 2-1 win vs. Sheffield United (August 18)
- Brandon Vazquez (FC Cincinnati; MLS) - 90 minutes in 3-0 loss at Columbus Crew (August 20)
- Tim Weah (Juventus; Italy Serie A) - 45 minutes in 3-0 win at Udinese (August 20)
- Caleb Wiley (Atlanta United; MLS - 90 minutes in 2-0 win at Seattle Sounders (August 20)
- Haji Wright (Coventry City; EFL Championship) - 79 minutes, ASSIST, in 1-1 draw at Swansea City (August 19)
- DeAndre Yedlin (Inter Miami CF; MLS) - 90 minutes in 1-1 draw vs. Nashville SC (10-9 shootout win) in Leagues Cup (August 19)
- Alex Zendejas (Club America; Liga MX) - 29 minutes in 1-1 draw vs. Atlas (August 20)
- Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC; MLS) -- 90 minutes in 1-1 draw vs. Inter Miami CF (10-9 loss in PKs) in Leagues Cup (August 19)
