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Christian Pulisic bags a brace, Weston McKennie scores and Giovanni Reyna finds form

Christian Pulisic Chelsea April 2021

There is a wealth of American soccer talent operating across Europe’s top leagues and the future of the United States men’s national team continues to look incredibly promising.

An abundance of American soccer stars are performing in Europe, with the likes of Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams and Sergino Dest all starting on a weekly basis for their respective sides.
Moving towards the business end of the season, numerous members of the United States men's national team are involved in title challenges, relegation scraps and pushes for continental qualification.
Despite the youthful nature of the United States side, Paddy Power has them as a 60-1 longshot for the FIFA World Cup next year.
With an array of talent embracing the challenges of European football, Planet Sport reports on those Americans making the headlines in and around Europe.

Christian Pulisic

April 10, Crystal Palace 1-4 Chelsea

Thomas Tuchel once again rewarded Pulisic's patience and good form by starting him as a false nine at Selhurst Park.

Pulisic made an instant impact, forcing a smart save by Vincente Guaita before Kai Havertz's early opener.

The American then got amongst the goals himself, powering a left-footed strike into the roof of the net from close range to double the visitors' lead.
His emphatic near-post finish signified his second goal in as many Premier League games and repaid Tuchel's faith as the German left strikers Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud on the bench to start Pulisic.
A second goal in the game followed for the American in the second half as he thumped home from close range, after good work from Reece James down the right-hand channel.
In fact, Pulisic has scored four goals in his last four games against Crystal Palace - making the Eagles his favourite opponent - while nine of his 13 Premier League goals have come on the road for Chelsea.
Pulisic's focus will now turn to Wednesday against Porto, who his team hold a two-goal advantage over from the first leg in the Champions League quarter-final stage.

Rating: 9/10

Sergino Dest

April 10, Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona

Given Ronald Koeman's three-man defence, Dest, who has returned several attacking contributions in recent weeks, again started at right wing-back in El Clasico.

Matching up against Vinicius Junior, who caused chaos against Liverpool in midweek, the right wing-back struggled to make his mark, with the Brazilian regularly getting in behind him.
Unfortunately for the American, Toni Kroos' free-kick clipped off his head before firing towards Jordi Alba, who was powerless to stop the deflection and Real Madrid's second goal on the line.
As the hosts took a two-goal lead from the first half, Koeman opted for a change of formation at half-time, removing Dest and bringing on Antoine Griezmann.
Similar to Dest's experience against Kylian Mbappe in the Champions League, this game will prove a learning curve for the wing-back.
Although there can't be too many critics, given Koeman's formation encouraged Dest to get forward as often as possible and left room at the back for Vinicius Junior to frequently exploit.

Rating: 6/10

Deandre Yedlin

April 10, Galatasaray 1-1 Fatih Karagumruk

After serving his suspension for a harsh sending off, Yedlin returned to Galatasaray's starting XI as they continue to chase Besiktas at the top of the Super Lig.

Unfortunately for Yedlin's side, they could only battle to a frustrating 1-1 draw with Ryan Babel equalising for the hosts after going behind.
Even worse for Yedlin, the right-back was removed after just 27 minutes due to an apparent leg injury and the length of his absence remains unclear at the moment.

Rating: N/A

Giovanni Reyna

April 10, Stuttgart 2-3 Borussia Dortmund

With Reyna struggling for form in the Bundesliga, despite impressing for the national side in recent weeks, he will be grateful to return to winning ways away at Stuttgart.

Assisting Jude Bellingham with a smart pass, Reyna finally recorded an attacking contribution, having not assisted or scored a German top-flight goal since December.
Reyna was also involved in the second goal, causing chaos with his direct running before feeding Morey for Reus' finish to make it 2-1.
The 18-year-old's surging runs forward provided his side a platform to attack as the American repeatedly linked up with Erling Haaland to create chances for the away side.
Reyna lasted 80 minutes before his removal but he will be glad to return to winning ways with Dortmund while also recording some individual contributions himself.
After returning in midweek to the Etihad Stadium where his dad Claudio Reyna once played, Reyna and Dortmund next host Manchester City in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie on Wednesday.

Rating: 7.5/10

Matthew Hoppe

April 10, Schalke 1-0 Augsburg

With Schalke keen to extend vetern forward Klaas Jan Huntelaar's contract, rumours persist as to whether Hoppe will be wanted by the German side, who are on the verge of relegation.

Nevertheless, Hoppe was named as a substitute for the visit of Augsburg - as has been the case for much of Dimitrios Grammozis' reign since he took over at Schalke.
Hoppe did eventually get on the pitch, albeit in the 84th minute, as he was sent on to protect the hosts' one-goal lead and rarely was offered the opportunity to assert himself on the game.

Rating: N/A

Tyler Adams

April 10, Werder Bremen 1-4 RB Leipzig

After a harsh midfield lesson at the hands of Bayern Munich last week, Adams moved out to the right to operate as a wing-back for Julian Nagelsmann's side.

Speaking in midweek, Nagelsmann acknowledged the positive impact Adams has had for his team, after choosing to stay despite limited opportunities to start with.
Another efficient performance saw the American complete nearly all of his passes, while comfortably dominating in his regular duels against his opposite man Felix Agu.
Perhaps with an eye on future fixtures, Adams was removed at half-time and earned a well-deserved rest after a commanding performance on the right flank.
Leipzig remain five points behind league-leaders Bayern but their hopes of an unlikely Bundesliga title aren't entirely over yet.

Rating: 6.5/10

Josh Sargent

April 10, Werder Bremen 1-4 RB Leipzig

In the same game as Adams, Sargent played for the hosts as he slotted in behind Davie Selke on his return from suspension.

With the visitors dominating and grabbing three early goals, Sargent failed to make any real impact before his 83rd-minute removal.

Despite a poor performance and Adams getting one over on his international team-mate, the pair will meet again in the DFB Pokal semi-final at the end of April.

Rating: 6/10

Weston McKennie

April 11, Juventus 3-1 Genoa

McKennie returned to Andrea Pirlo's good books with a goal against Genoa on Sunday.

Having served a suspension last week, alongside Paulo Dybala and Arthur, for breaching Covid-19 protocols, the American midfielder had to settle for a place on Juventus' bench.
Being introduced in the 68th minute, it took McKennie only two minutes to make an impact, smartly finishing into the bottom right corner after being sent through one-on-one with Mattia Perin by Danilo.
With Adrien Rabiot and Rodrigo Bentancur ahead of McKennie in Pirlo's pecking order, it is likely the American will remain on the bench for the near future.
However, after making an immediate impact like he did against Genoa, for as long as McKennie works hard and takes his opportunities, he will remain an option in Pirlo's mind.
McKennie's right-footed finish took him to five Serie A goals for the season, which means he has now equalled the career totals of all United States internationals in Serie A combined (Michael Bradley, 3; Alexi Lalas; 2).

Rating: 7.5/10

Chris Richards

April 12, Hoffenheim 0-0 Bayer Leverkusen

Unsurprisingly, Richards carried on in his role as Hoffenheim's left-sided centre-back as they were held to a draw at home by Leverkusen.

The loanee defender looked assured in possession throughout, regularly clipping into the channel for the advanced runs of Ryan Sessegnon and Ihlas Bebou.
Richards also put on a solid defensive showing, combining with Stefan Posch and Kevin Akpoguma to guide the hosts to their first clean sheet since February.
The centre-back ranks as one of the Bundesliga's best defenders this season and the decision coming up for Bayern will be whether to loan Richards out again, give him a chance or move him on permanently.
If Richards and his team-mates keep producing performances like Monday night, Hoffenheim will certainly be hoping for the latter of the three scenarios.

Rating: 7/10

Antonee Robinson

April 9, Fulham 0-1 Wolves

Scott Parker opted for a three-man defence against Wolves, deploying Terence Kongolo as a left-sided centre-back and starting Robinson ahead of Ola Aina at left wing-back.

Much like the system Gregg Berhalter deployed against Northern Ireland over the international break, Robinson thrived as he was given license to roam up and down the left flank.
Arguably Fulham's best player on Friday night, Robinson posed a constant threat for his opposite man Nelson Semedo, while doing well to deal with Pedro Neto when defending.
With better finishing from Ruben Loftus-Cheek, the left wing-back would have had an assist to his name after he delivered an inch-perfect cross onto the midfielder's head from wide on the left.
Robinson also tested Rui Patricio with a shot on target and, despite his side's impotency up top, he provided an attacking outlet for Parker's men throughout at Craven Cottage.
As the end of the season approaches, Robinson and the Cottagers remain in the relegation zone as they continue to chase 17th-placed Newcastle United.

Rating: 7.5/10

Tim Ream

April 9, Fulham 0-1 Wolves

In the same game, Ream remained an unused substitute as his struggles for minutes continues at Fulham.

Despite Parker employing a three-man defence, Ream was once again overlooked as the combination of Joachim Andersen, Tosin Adarabioyo and Kongolo were preferred for the hosts.
The Cottagers' impending relegation battle will likely decide Ream's future as the centre-back may be required if his side do get relegated to the Championship.

Rating: N/A

Daryl Dike

April 10, Barnsley 2-0 Middlesbrough

Barnsley's playoff push carried on as they cruised past a hard-working Middlesbrough side at Oakwell.
After bagging a brace against Luton Town on Monday, Dike continued his great run of form, scoring on Saturday afternoon with a cool, diving header to put the hosts two goals to the good.
Ably supported by the likes of Cauley Woodrow behind him, on another day Dike could have had a hat-trick if it wasn't for a series of good stops by Marco Bettinelli for the away side.
The American forward has now taken his impressive Barnsley record to eight goals in just 14 appearances.
While speculation persists of a potential Premier League move for Dike, the forward will be keen to keep his remarkable goalscoring run of form up as his team remain in search of promotion from the Championship.

Rating: 7.5/10

Tim Weah

April 9, Metz 0-2 Lille

With Jonathan David's injury last week, Weah may have expected Christophe Galtier to start up top for the visitors.

However, this was not the case as Galtier deployed the pairing of Jonathan Ikone and Burak Yilmaz, leaving Weah on the bench for the trip to Metz.
Timothy Weah, Lille, Europa League, Celebration, In Action,

Timothy Weah could be on the verge of something special as Lille continue their Ligue 1 title charge

After waiting till the 73rd minute for his introduction, Weah came on and was instrumental in the creation of Lille's second goal as he worked intricately with his attacking team-mates up top.
Despite limited minutes on Friday night, Weah will be delighted that his side's title charge goes on as they remain three points ahead of second-placed Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1.

Rating: N/A

Bryan Reynolds

April 11, Roma 1-0 Bologna

Reynolds was finally granted his debut start against Bologna as the side from the Italian capital remain in the battle for the European spots.

Their 1-0 win represented an important result for Paulo Fonseca's men but Reynolds' start also made him the youngest American soccer player to start in Serie A.
Persistently getting up and down the right flank, much like his international team-mate Tyler Adams for Leipzig, Reynolds presented a threat at both ends.
His pace often got him out of trouble against the tricky Modou Barrow, while at the other end his driving runs regularly created half chances for Borja Mayoral attacking down the middle.
The right wing-back lasted 76 minutes before being substituted off and will take confidence from his outing, as he looked extremely comfortable and fit to be playing at Serie A level.

Rating: 6.5/10

Indiana Vassilev

April 10, Cheltenham Town 1-0 Leyton Orient

Cheltenham's march towards promotion from League Two goes on but so do Vassilev's frustrations and lack of chances.
The Aston Villa loanee once again was named as a substitute and on this occasion didn't get the opportunity to come on.

With Vassilev only playing 170 minutes for the hosts since his loan in January, Dean Smith and the forward will be ready for the end of this loan spell and the chance to develop somewhere else.

Rating: N/A

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