It was quite a busy and productive week for the U.S. Men's National Team players.
Christian Pulisic struck for his first club goal in almost two months, a spectacular one at that.
Ricardo Pepi continued to forge his reputation as a super sub with a dramatic UEFA Champions League game-winner in stoppage time, Antonee Robinson continued to be a force from the back - setting up goals in consecutive matches - and Haji Wright added a game-winner of his own, a controversial one.
Defenders Sergiño Dest, Mark McKenzie, Gianluca Busio and Lennard Maloney also recorded assists.
To top it off, four midfielders - Columbus Crew's Julian Gressel and Aidan Morris and Los Angeles FC's Timmy Tillman and Kellyn Acosta - will square off on opposite sides of the pitch in the MLS Cup on Saturday, Dec. 9, after their respective sides won their conference finals.
HIGHLIGHT REEL GOAL
Christian Pulisic tied an American standard in Italy’s Serie A with a sensational goal on Saturday, Dec. 2, connecting for A.C. Milan in its 3-1 win over Frosinone. It was Pulisic’s fifth goal in 12 matches for Milan this campaign, tying the U.S. record for Serie A tallies, with Juventus’ Weston McKennie. The USMNT midfielder scored five goals for Juve during the 2020-21 season.
After Luka Jovic gave the hosts a 1-0 lead in the 43rd minute, Pulisic struck five minutes into the second half. He latched onto a long goal kick by goalkeeper Mike Maignan with a nice first touch. After shaking off several challenges, Pulisic chipped the ball over goalie Stefano Turati from the right edge of the six-yard box for a 2-0 advantage. It was his first club goal since a 1-0 win at Genoa on Oct. 7.
Pulisic, who went the entire way in a 3-1 loss to Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, Nov. 28, played 79 minutes on Saturday. He will look to break the USA Serie A mark when Milan visits Atalanta on Saturday, Dec. 9.
SUPER SUB'S SUPER GOAL
Ricardo Pepi did it again off the bench, this time in dramatic fashion in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, Nov. 29. Pepi, who replaced Jerdy Schouten in the 82nd minute, headed in Yorbe Vertessen's feed two minutes into stoppage time to lift PSV Eindhoven to a 3-2 comeback triumph over Sevilla in Group B and into the knockout round. The Dutch side overcame a two-goal deficit. Pepi became the fifth USMNT player to connect for a UCL winner, joining an exclusive club that includes DaMarcus Beasley (2004), Christian Pulisic (2017), Weston McKennie (2018) and Tyler Adams (2020). Second-place PSV (2-1-2, 8) hosts leader Arsenal (4-1-0, 12) in its final group match on Dec. 12.
To truly appreciate what Pepi has accomplished in the limited time on the field, the forward has scored five goals in only 238 minutes in 19 appearances for PSV across all competitions. That is equal to scoring once every 48 minutes.
Defender Sergiño Dest helped spark the comeback. His left-footed cross set up Ismael Saibari's volley into the top corner of the net in the 68th minute to slice the lead to 2-1.
MR. ROBINSON’S NEIGHBORHOOD
Whatever defender Antonee Robinson is eating for breakfast before games for club and country, he should continue it. He scored in consecutive Concacaf Nations League matches for the USA last month. A left back scoring in back-to-back games on the international level is rare. He has continued his offensive spurt for Fulham, setting up goals in his last two contests. On Monday, Nov. 27, Robinson assisted on Alexander Iwobi's goal, which gave the Cottagers a 1-0 advantage in the seventh minute in a 3-2 home win over the Wolverhampton Wanderers. In the 4-3 loss at Liverpool on Sunday, Dec. 3, Robinson set up Harry Wilson's 24th-minute score.
WRIGHT ON TARGET
Haji Wright connected for his fifth goal, a controversial one, in Coventry City's 1-0 victory over Plymouth Argyle in the English Premier League on Nov. 28. The U.S. forward struck in the 75th minute. Milan van Ewijk raced down the right flank and got to the goal line, where the ball appeared to go out of bounds, just before he pulled it back to Wright, who buried his shot from close range. Argyle protested, but the goal stood as Coventry found the net at home for the first time since Oct. 4.
FINAL FOUR PLAYERS
Four midfielders will vie for the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy in the MLS Cup final on Saturday, Dec. 9 at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio - Columbus Crew's Julian Gressel and Aidan Morris and Los Angeles FC's Kellyn Acosta and Timmy Tillman.
The Crew rallied from a two-goal deficit to register a 3-2 extratime victory over host FC Cincinnati in the Eastern Conference final on Saturday, Dec. 2. Gressel, a second-half substitute, did not receive an assist, but he set up Columbus' first goal in the 75th minute. Gressel sent a right-wing cross into the area for Christian Ramirez. The ball, however, deflected off Cincinnati defender Alvas Powell for an own goal to cut the deficit to 2-1. Forward Brandon Vazquez had given FC Cincinnati a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute, beating goalkeeper Patrick Schulte from eight yards for a 1-0 lead before the Crew came back to stun the Supporters' Shield winner.
Several hours later, LAFC blanked the Houston Dynamo at home a few hours later that Saturday night in the Western Conference final, 2-0.
A BUNDLE OF ASSISTS
Antonee Robinson and Sergiño Dest weren't the only Americans to help out their teammates as Lennard Maloney, Gianluca Busio and Mark McKenzie also recorded assists.
* Maloney's flick off a header from a corner kick helped Benedikt Gimber score two minutes into first-half injury time for Heidenheim in 2-1 loss at RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga on Saturday, Dec. 2.
* Busio set up Giorgio Altare's tally on the half hour, which gave Venezia a 2-0 edge over Ascoli en route to a 3-1 win in Italy's Serie A on Saturday, Dec. 2.
* McKenzie, a defender, set up the first of Yira Sor's two goals in the 21st minute for Genk in its 2-2 draw with Gent in the Belgian Pro League on Sunday, Dec. 3.
* Honorable mention: While he did not receive an assist on the dramatic game-winning goal for Juve in its 2-1 victory at Monza in Italy's Serie A four minutes into stoppage time on Friday, Dec. 1, it should be noted that Weston McKennie was part of the build-up. Only minutes after the hosts struck for the equalizer, McKennie passed to Adrien Rabiot down the right flank. Rabiot cut back and sent a pass into the middle of the box to Federico Gatti, who scored from seven yards.
INTO THE SEMIFINALS
Alejandro Zendejas and Club America reached the semifinals of the Liga MX Apertura playoffs, besting Leon in the quarterfinals. Zendejas played the full 90 minutes in a 2-2 road draw in the quarterfinals on Wednesday, Nov. 29 before performing for 79 minutes in a 2-0 home win in the second leg on Saturday, Dec. 2. Top-seeded America will face Atletico San Luis in the semifinals. The first legs are set for Wednesday, Dec. 6/Thursday, Dec. 7, the return legs on Saturday, Dec. 9/Sunday, Dec. 10. The exact dates were to be confirmed on Monday.
FULL RUNDOWN
- Brenden Aaronson (Union Berlin; Bundesliga) - 12 minutes as a substitute in 1-1 draw at Sporting Braga in UCL (Nov. 29)
- Paxten Aaronson (Eintracht Frankfurt; Bundesliga) - 45 minutes in 2-1 loss at Augsburg (Dec. 3); 16 minutes as a substitute in 2-1 loss vs. PAOK in UEFA Europa Conference League (Nov. 30)
- Kellyn Acosta (Los Angeles FC; MLS) -- 84 minutes in 2-0 win vs. Houston Dynamo in MLS Cup Playoffs (Dec. 2)
- Tyler Adams (AFC Bournemouth; English Premier League) - Injured, DNP in 2-2 draw vs. Aston Villa (Dec. 3)
- Folarin Balogun (Monaco; French Ligue 1) - 74 minutes in 2-0 win vs. Montpellier (Dec. 3)
- Taylor Booth (Utrecht; Dutch Eredivisie) - 5 minutes as a substitute in 1-1 draw vs. AZ Alkmaar (Dec. 3)
- Gianluca Busio (Venezia; Italian Serie B) - 90 minutes, ASSIST, in 3-1 win vs. Ascoli (Dec. 2)
- Johnny Cardoso (Internacional; Brazilian Serie A) - Not in 18, DNP in 2-1 win at Corinthians (Dec. 2); 63 minutes in 2-0 win at Cuiaba (Nov. 29)
- Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic; Scottish Premiership) - 90 minutes in 3-1 win at St. Johnstone (Dec. 3); 90 minutes in 2-0 loss at Lazio in UCL (Nov. 28)
- Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven; Dutch Eredivisie) - 90 minutes in 2-1 win at Feyenoord (Dec. 3); 90 minutes, ASSIST, in 3-2 win at Sevilla in UCL (Nov. 29)
- Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo, Spain La Liga) - Vs. Cadiz (Monday, 3 p.m. ET)
- Julian Gressel (Columbus Crew; MLS) - 55 minutes as a substitute in 3-2 win at FC Cincinnati in MLS Cup Playoffs (Dec. 2)
- Ethan Horvath (Nottingham Forest; English Premier League) - Not in 18, DNP in 1-0 loss at Everton (Dec. 2)
- Kristoffer Lund (Palmero; Italy Serie B) - 59 minutes in 2-1 loss vs. Catanzaro (Dec. 1)
- Lennard Maloney (Heidenheim; Bundesliga) - 68 minutes, ASSIST, in 2-1 loss at RB Leipzig (Dec. 2)
- Weston McKennie (Juventus; Italy Serie A) - 90 minutes in 2-1 win vs. Monza (Dec. 1)
- Mark McKenzie (Genk; Belgian Pro League) - 90 minutes, ASSIST, in 2-2 draw vs. Gent (Dec. 3); In 18, DNP in 2-1 loss at Fiorentina in UEFA Europa Conference League (Nov. 30)
- Djordje Mihailovic (AZ Alkmaar; Dutch Eredivisie) - 88 minutes in 1-1 draw at Utrecht (Dec. 3)
- Aidan Morris (Columbus Crew; MLS) - 65 minutes in 3-2 win at FC Cincinnati in MLS Cup Playoffs (Dec. 2)
- Yunus Musah (A.C. Milan; Italy Serie A) - 90 minutes in 3-1 win vs. Frosinone (Dec. 2); SUSPENDED, DNP in 3-1 loss vs. Borussia Dortmund in UCL (Nov. 28)
- Erik Palmer-Brown (Panathinaikos; Greek Super League) - Not in 18, DNP in 4-0 win vs. OFI (Dec. 3); Not in 18, DNP in 3-2 loss at Villarreal in UEFA Europa League (Nov. 30)
- Kevin Paredes (Wolfsburg; Bundesliga) - 14 minutes as a substitute in 3-1 loss at Bochum (Dec. 2)
- Jordan Pefok (Borussia Mönchengladbach; Bundesliga) – Injured, DNP in 2-1 win vs. Hoffenheim (Dec. 2)
- Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven; Dutch Eredivisie) - In 18, DNP in 2-1 win at Feyenoord (Dec. 3);8 minutes as a substitute, GOAL, in 3-2 win at Sevilla in UCL (Nov. 29)
- Christian Pulisic (A.C. Milan; Italy Serie A) - 79 minutes, GOAL, in 3-1 win vs. Frosinone (Dec. 2); 90 minutes in 3-1 loss vs. Borussia Dortmund in UCL (Nov. 28)
- Tim Ream (Fulham; English Premier League) - 90 minutes in 4-3 loss at Liverpool (Dec. 3); 90 minutes in 3-2 win vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers (Nov. 27)
- Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund; Bundesliga) - In 18, DNP in 1-1 draw at Bayer Leverkusen (Dec. 3); In 18, DNP in 3-1 win at A.C. Milan in UCL (Nov. 28)
- Bryan Reynolds (Westerlo; Belgian Pro League) - 90 minutes in 3-1 loss vs. Anderlecht (Dec. 1)
- Chris Richards (Crystal Palace; English Premier League) - 90 minutes in 1-1 draw at West Ham United (Dec. 3)
- Antonee Robinson (Fulham; English Premier League) - 90 minutes, ASSIST, in 4-3 loss at Liverpool (Dec. 3); 90 minutes, ASSIST, in 3-2 win vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers (Nov. 27)
- Josh Sargent (Norwich City; Championship) - Injured, DNP in 2-1 loss at Bristol City (Dec. 3); Injured, DNP in 3-2 loss at Watford (Nov. 28)
- Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach; Bundesliga) - 90 minutes in 2-1 win vs. Hoffenheim (Dec. 2)
- Gaga Slonina (Eupen; Belgian Pro League) - 90 minutes in 1-1 draw vs. Kortrijk (Dec. 2)
- Tanner Tessmann (Venezia; Italy Serie B) - 90 minutes in 3-1 win vs. Ascoli (Dec. 2)
- Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven; Dutch Eredivisie) - 26 minutes as a substitute in 2-1 win at Feyenoord (Dec. 3); 32 minutes as a substitute in 3-2 win at Sevilla in UCL (Nov. 29)
- Timmy Tillman (Los Angeles FC; MLS) - 89 minutes in 2-0 win vs. Houston Dynamo in MLS Cup Playoffs (Dec. 2)
- Auston Trusty (Sheffield; English Premier League) - 90 minutes in 5-0 loss at Burnley (Dec. 2)
- Matt Turner (Nottingham Forest; English Premier League) - In 18, DNP in 1-0 loss at Everton (Dec. 2)
- Brandon Vazquez (FC Cincinnati; MLS) - 105 minutes, GOAL, in 3-2 loss vs. Columbus Crew in MLS Cup Playoffs (Dec. 2)
- Tim Weah (Juventus; Italy Serie A) - Injured, DNP in 2-1 win vs. Monza (Dec. 1)
- Haji Wright (Coventry City; English Premier League) - 74 minutes in 2-1 loss at Ipswich Town (Dec. 2); 90 minutes, GOAL, in 1-0 win vs. Plymouth Argyle (Nov. 28)
- Alejandro Zendejas (Club America; Liga MX) - 79 minutes in 2-0 win vs. Leon in Apertura quarterfinals second leg (Dec. 2); 90 minutes in 2-2 draw at Leon in Apertura quarterfinals first leg (Nov. 29)
