Eight members of the U.S. men's national team pool were responsible for goal celebrations this past week across two continents and five countries.
In Italy, Christian Pulisic and Tim Weah connected for their first goals of the 2024-25 Serie A campaign for AC Milan and Juventus, respectively.
In England, Josh Sargent and Brenden Aaronson did damage for their respective sides, Norwich City and Leeds United, in the Championship.
In the Netherlands, Malik Tillman and Ricardo Pepi struck for single tallies in the Dutch Eredivisie.
In Mexico, Brandon Vazquez scored for Monterrey in Liga MX, and in the United States, Jordan Morris recorded a goal for the Seattle Sounders in Major League Soccer.
That's not to forget what defenders or goalkeepers accomplished as well. Antonee Robinson's assist set up Fulham's winning goal. DeJuan Jones earned a winners’ medal as the Columbus Crew secured the Leagues Cup crown. Goalkeeper Zack Steffen made two shootout saves as the Colorado Rapids won the third-place match. Drake Callender backstopped Inter Miami CF's home win as the team became the first side to clinch an MLS Cup Playoff berth, and Toronto FC’s Sean Johnson recorded a clean sheet.
A GOOD START
Christian Pulisic got off to a solid start for AC Milan in his 2024-25 Italian Serie A debut this past Saturday, Aug. 24, although his side would have hoped for a better result.
He connected for his first goal of the season in a 2-1 loss at newly promoted Parma. Theo Hernandez continued the build-up after a brilliant dribble into the box on the left side, finding Rafael Leao with a perfect pass. Leao then sent a short pass before Pulisic tapped home the ball past goalkeeper Suzuki to equalize at 1-1 in the 66th minute.
Pulisic tallied 12 goals in Serie A last season, the highest single-season output of his career.
ECSTASY, THEN AGONY
Tim Weah scored his first goal Serie A in the 31st minute in Juventus' 3-0 home win over Como on Monday, Aug. 19. He accomplished that feat in his 31st appearance in the Italy league since joining Juve last season. Weah, however, was subbed out at halftime with a right hamstring injury.
SECOND-HALF STRIKES
Malik Tillman and Ricardo Pepi ripped the net for goals in the final half of PSV Eindhoven's 7-1 rout of host Almere City on Saturday, Aug. 24. Tillman tallied his second goal of the young season past keeper Nordin Bakker in the 71st minute, giving the visitors a 4-1 advantage.
Pepi, who replaced Luuk de Jong two minutes later, struck for his first in the 90th minute.
ON TARGET
Josh Sargent scored his second goal of the English Championship season to help Norwich City to a 1-1 deadlock at home against Sheffield United on Saturday, Aug. 24. Marcelino Núñez's pass was nudged on by Amankwah Forson into Sargent's path as the forward finished past goalie Michael Cooper in the 22nd minute.
TAG TEAM BROTHERS
For the third week in a row, an Aaronson brother figured in an important goal for his team. On Aug. 10, Brenden Aaronson recorded the equalizer for Leeds United in its 3-3 draw with visiting Portsmouth five minutes into stoppage time of its English Championship encounter. On Aug. 17, younger brother Paxten set up Ole Romeny's goal in Utrecht's 1-1 draw at Heerenveen in the Dutch Eredivisie. On Friday, Aug. 23, it was Brenden's turn again, as he got Leeds off to a 24th-minute lead in a 2-0 victory at Sheffield Wednesday. The older Aaronson brother completed a nifty passing combination with several teammates, then buried the ball past goalie James Beadle for his second goal of the campaign.
DUAL THREAT
Left back Antonee Robinson made his contributions on both sides of the ball as he assisted on the winning goal in Fulham's 2-1 home victory over Leicester City in English Premier League action on Saturday, Aug. 24. With the score deadlocked at 1-1 in the 70th minute, Robinson flicked a long ball to an onrushing Alexander Iwobi, who beat goalkeeper Mads Hermansen from seven yards.
CUP WINNER
Defender DeJuan Jones played the final six minutes as the Columbus Crew registered a 3-1 home win over the Los Angeles Football Club to capture the Leagues Cup on Sunday, Aug. 25. Jones replaced Sean Zawadzki in the 84th minute. Midfielder Timmy Tillman came on as a 63rd-minute substitute for LAFC, for Ilie Sanchez.
SHOOTOUT WINNERS
Goalkeeper Zack Steffen and midfielder Djordje Mihailovic played key roles for the Colorado Rapids, who finished third in the Leagues Cup over the weekend. After dropping a 4-0 semifinal decision to Los Angeles FC on Wednesday, Colorado bested the host Philadelphia Union in the shootout, 3-1, after playing to a 2-2 draw in regulation. Djordje Milhailovic converted the Rapids' first penalty kick in the penalty kick shootout. Steffen made two saves, denying the Union's first two attempts by Dániel Gazdag and Tai Baribo.
FIRST GOAL
Brandon Vazquez started his account for the 2024-25 Liga MX season in Monterrey's 2-2 draw at Tijuana on Friday, Aug. 23. He put away Jordi Cortizo’s assist past keeper Jose Antonio Rodriguez in the 43rd minute.
BACK IN MLS
Former Fulham captain and defender Tim Ream made his Charlotte FC debut in a 1-1 home tie with the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, Aug. 25. Ream started his pro career with the Red Bulls, playing for them from 2010-11 before joining Bolton in England.
DOUBLE DIGITS AGAIN
For the fifth time in his MLS career, Seattle Sounders forward Jordan Morris reached double digits in goals scored in the league, in a 3-2 win at Minnesota United on Saturday, Aug. 24. Morris, who has 14 tallies across all competitions, lifted the visitors into an 11th-minute lead. After a teammate stole a Minnesota clearance, Obed Vargas fed Morris, who beat keeper Dayne St. Clair from 12 yards for a 1-0 edge.
FIRST ONE IN
It is only August, but Inter Miami CF already knows that it will be playing in late October and November as it became the first team to clinch an MLS Cup Playoff berth. Goalkeeper Drake Callender produced six saves en route to his fifth shutout of the season, a 2-0 home triumph against FC Cincinnati on Saturday, Aug. 24.
CLEAN SHEET
Toronto FC goalie Sean Johnson made three saves as he produced his second successive shutout in a 1-0 victory at the Houston Dynamo on Saturday, Aug. 24. He has six clean sheets this campaign.
FULL RUNDOWN
-- Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United; English Championship) - 89 minutes, GOAL, in 2-0 win at Sheffield Wednesday (Aug. 23)
-- Paxten Aaronson (Utrecht; Dutch Eredivisie) - 45 minutes in 2-1 win at NAC Breda Aug. 24)
-- Kellyn Acosta (Chicago Fire; MLS) - 72 minutes in 2-2 draw at New York City Fc (Aug. 24)
-- Tyler Adams (AFC Bournemouth; English Premier League) – Injured, DNP in 1-1 draw vs. Newcastle United (Aug. 25)
-- Folarin Balogun (Monaco; French Ligue 1) – In 18, DNP in 2-0 win at Lyon (Aug. 24)
-- Taylor Booth (Utrecht; Dutch Eredivisie) - Injured, DNP in 2-1 win at NAC Breda Aug. 24)
-- Gianluca Busio (Venezia; Italian Serie A) – Injured, DNP in 0-0 draw at Fiorentina (Aug. 25)
-- Drake Callender (Inter Miami CF; MLS) - 90 minutes, SHUTOUT, in 2-0 win vs. FC Cincinnati (Aug. 24)
-- Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis; Spain La Liga) - In 18, DNP in 0-0 draw at Alaves (Aug. 25)
-- Reggie Cannon (Queens Park Rangers; Championship) - Not in 18, DNP in 1-1 draw vs. Plymouth Argyle (Aug. 24)
-- Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic; Scottish Premiership) - 90 minutes in 3-0 at St. Mirren (Aug. 25)
-- Cade Cowell (Guadalajara; Liga MX) - 90 minutes in 1-1 draw at Tigres UANL (Aug. 24)
-- Ben Cremaschi (Inter Miami CF; MLS) - 21 minutes as a substitute in 2-0 win vs. FC Cincinnati (Aug. 24)
-- Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven; Dutch Eredivisie) - Injured, DNP in 7-1 win at Almere City (Aug. 24)
-- Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo, Spain La Liga) - At Villarreal (Monday, 3:30 p.m. ET); Injured, DNP in 3-1 win vs. Valencia (Aug. 23)
-- Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas; MLS) - 28 minutes as a substitute in 4-3 win at D.C. United (Aug. 24)
-- Julian Gressel (Inter Miami CF; MLS) - Not in 18, DNP in 2-0 win vs. FC Cincinnati (Aug. 24)
-- Ethan Horvath (Cardiff City; Championship) - 90 minutes in 1-1 draw at Swansea City (Aug. 25)
-- Sean Johnson (Toronto FC; MLS) - 90 minutes, SHUTOUT, in 1-0 win at Houston Dynamo (Aug. 24)
-- DeJuan Jones (Columbus Crew; MLS) – 6 minutes as a substitute in 3-1 win vs. Los Angeles Football Club in Leagues Cup (Aug. 26); In 18, DNP in 3-1 win vs. Philadelphia Union in Leagues Cup (Aug. 21)
-- Richy Ledezma (PSV Eindhoven; Dutch Eredivisie) - 88 minutes in 7-1 win at Almere City (Aug. 24)
-- Kristoffer Lund (Palmero; Italy Serie B) - 7 minutes as a substitute in 2-0 loss at Pisa (Aug. 24)
-- Lennard Maloney (Heidenheim; Bundesliga) - 90 minutes in 2-0 win at St. Pauli (Aug. 25)
-- Weston McKennie (Juventus; Italy Serie A) - At Verona (Monday, 2:45 p.m.); In 18, DNP in 3-0 win vs. Como (Aug. 19)
-- Mark McKenzie (Genk; Belgian Pro League) - No games
-- Djordje Mihailovic (Colorado Rapids; MLS) - 90 minutes, SHOOTOUT GOAL, in 2-2 draw at Philadelphia Union (3-1 PK winners) in Leagues Cup (Aug. 25); 62 minutes in 4-0 loss at Los Angeles FC in Leagues Cup (Aug. 21)
-- Shaq Moore (Nashville SC; MLS) - 90 minutes in 2-0 loss vs. Austin FC (Aug. 24)
-- Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough; Championship) - 81 minutes in 2-2 draw vs. Portsmouth (Aug. 24)
-- Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders; MLS) - 90 minutes, GOAL, in 3-2 win at Minnesota United (Aug. 24)
-- Yunus Musah (A.C. Milan; Italy Serie A) - 67 minutes in 2-1 loss at Parma (Aug. 24)
-- Jalen Neal (LA Galaxy; MLS) – 90 minutes in 2-0 win vs. Atlanta United (Aug. 25)
-- Erik Palmer-Brown (Panathinaikos; Greek Super League) - In 18, DNP in 1-0 win vs. Levadiakos (Aug. 25)
-- Kevin Paredes (Wolfsburg; Bundesliga) - Injured, DNP in 3-2 loss vs. Bayern Munich (Aug. 25); Not in, DNP in 1-0 win at Koblenz in DFB Pokal (Aug. 19)
-- Jordan Pefok (Union Berlin; Bundesliga) - 90 minutes in 1-1 draw at Mainz (Aug. 24)
-- Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven; Dutch Eredivisie) - 17 minutes as a substitute, GOAL, in 7-1 win at Almere City (Aug. 24)
-- Christian Pulisic (A.C. Milan; Italy Serie A) - 86 minutes, GOAL, in 2-1 loss at Parma (Aug. 24)
-- Tim Ream (Charlotte FC; MLS) - 90 minutes in 1-1 draw vs. New York Red Bulls (Aug. 24)
-- Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund; Bundesliga) - 9 minutes as a substitute in 2-0 win vs. Eintracht Frankfurt (Aug. 24)
-- Bryan Reynolds (Westerlo; Belgian Pro League) - 90 minutes in 1-1 draw vs. OH Leuven (Aug. 24)
-- Chris Richards (Crystal Palace; English Premier League) - 81 minutes in 2-0 loss vs. West Ham United (Aug. 24)
-- Antonee Robinson (Fulham; English Premier League) - 90 minutes, ASSIST, in 2-1 win vs. Leicester City (Aug. 24)
-- Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati; MLS) - 90 minutes in 2-0 loss at Inter Miami CF (Aug. 24)
-- James Sands (New York City FC; MLS) – 90 minutes in 2-2 draw vs. Chicago Fire (Aug. 24)
-- Josh Sargent (Norwich City; Championship) - 90 minutes, GOAL, in 1-1 draw vs. Sheffield United (Aug. 24)
-- Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach; Bundesliga) - 90 minutes in 3-2 loss vs. Bayer Leverkusen (Aug. 23)
-- Gaga Slonina (Barnsley; English League One) - 90 minutes in 2-2 draw vs. Northampton Town (Aug. 24)
-- Zack Steffen (Colorado Rapids; MLS) - 90 minutes, TWO SHOOTOUT SAVES, in 2-2 draw at Philadelphia Union (3-1 PK winners) in Leagues Cup (Aug. 25); 90 minutes in 4-0 loss at Los Angeles FC in Leagues Cup (Aug. 21)
-- Tanner Tessmann (Venezia; Italy Serie A) – Not in 18, DNP in 0-0 draw at Fiorentina (Aug. 25)
-- Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven; Dutch Eredivisie) - 90 minutes, GOAL, in 7-1 win at Almere City (Aug. 24)
-- Timmy Tillman (Los Angeles FC; MLS) – 27 minutes as a substitute in 3-1 loss at Columbus Crew in Leagues Cup (Aug. 25); In 18, DNP in 4-0 win vs. Colorado Rapids in Leagues Cup (Aug. 21)
-- John Tolkin (New York Red Bulls; MLS) - 90 minutes in 1-1 draw at Charlotte FC (Aug. 24)
-- Auston Trusty (Sheffield United; English Premier League) - 90 minutes in 1-1 draw at Norwich City (Aug. 24)
-- Matt Turner (Nottingham Forest; English Premier League) - Not in 18, DNP in 1-0 win at Southampton (Aug. 24)
-- Brandon Vazquez (Monterrey; Liga MX) – 74 minutes, GOAL, in 2-2 draw at Tijuana (Aug. 23)
-- Tim Weah (Juventus; Italy Serie A) - At Verona (Monday, 2:45 p.m.); 45 minutes, GOAL, in 3-0 win vs. Como (Aug. 19)
-- Caleb Wiley (Strasbourg; French Ligue 1) - 80 minutes in 3-1 win vs. Rennes (Aug. 25)
-- Haji Wright (Coventry City; Championship) - 90 minutes in 1-1 draw at Bristol City (Aug. 24)
-- DeAndre Yedlin (FC Cincinnati; MLS) - 90 minutes in 2-0 loss at Inter Miami CF (Aug. 24)
-- Alejandro Zendejas (Club America; Liga MX) - Not in 18, DNP in 1-0 loss vs. Puebla (Aug. 24)
-- Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC; MLS) - 90 minutes in 2-0 loss vs. Austin FC (Aug. 24)
