Weekly Highlights: USMNT Players Shine and Struggle in European Matches

Mauricio Pochettino’s decision to exclude Christian Pulisic from his November squad call-ups was a prudent choice, given the circumstances. The American forward was racing against time to recover for the USMNT’s upcoming friendlies against Paraguay and Uruguay, making his participation unlikely and potentially provoking the frustration of an already discontented Massimiliano Allegri. However, after training this week, Pulisic was deemed fit to contribute for AC Milan over the weekend.

Pulisic’s performance on Saturday was a blend of brilliance and disappointment. Entering the match when the score was tied at 2-2, he aimed to help Milan secure a victory against a struggling Parma side. While he showcased his potential with impressive runs and dribbles, he ultimately missed a crucial opportunity to clinch the win, shooting wide with only a defender to beat. Although there were other chances for Milan, this was their most significant, and they were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw.

In contrast, Agyemang’s journey at Derby County has been inconsistent. After a breakout performance for the USMNT in January and a promising start to the MLS season, many expected him to remain in Charlotte. However, eager to test himself in Championship football, he faced challenges, managing only one goal in nine appearances until this weekend. Agyemang finally made an impact, scoring a powerful header that secured a 2-1 victory for Derby, proving he could be a valuable finisher in critical moments.

Folarin Balogun had an impressive 30 minutes for Monaco before a red card marred his performance. He was a constant threat against a well-organized Lens defense, scoring a penalty to equalize at 1-1. Unfortunately, a reckless challenge led to his dismissal, leaving Monaco to concede two goals shortly after his exit, resulting in a disappointing 3-1 loss.

In Bournemouth’s match against Aston Villa, Tyler Adams faced a challenging afternoon following a head collision that left teammate Adam Smith sidelined. Although Adams was cleared to continue playing, the team struggled against a formidable Villa side, ultimately losing 4-0, which marked their second consecutive Premier League defeat, dropping them to seventh in the table. Adams is set to join the USMNT for upcoming friendlies, pending his condition.

The weekend featured an exciting encounter between Lyon and PSG, where Tanner Tessmann’s Lyon displayed potential as title challengers. However, despite pulling level at 2-2, a defensive lapse from Tessmann allowed PSG to secure a late 3-2 victory, leaving Lyon questioning what might have been.

Elsewhere in Europe:
– Gio Reyna came off the bench, contributing to Borussia Monchengladbach’s much-needed 3-1 win over Koln, while Joe Scally played the full match.
– Johnny Cardoso was an unused substitute in Atletico Madrid’s 3-1 victory over Levante.
– Benjamin Cremaschi played five minutes for Parma against Milan.
– Weston McKennie started at right wing-back but had limited impact in Juventus’ scoreless draw with Torino.
– Josh Sargent continued to struggle as Norwich lost 2-1 to Leicester.
– Despite Haji Wright’s missed chances, Coventry managed a 1-0 victory over Stoke, maintaining their position as Championship leaders.
– Aidan Morris provided an assist in Middlesborough’s 2-1 win.
– Malik Tillman had a lively but unproductive second half in Bayer Leverkusen’s 6-0 rout of Heidenheim.
– Daryl Dike watched from the bench as West Brom secured three points against Oxford.
– Ricardo Pepi failed to contribute during his 20 minutes in PSV’s 5-1 win over AZ.
– Brenden Aaronson registered an assist, but Leeds fell 3-1 to Nottingham Forest.
– Yunus Musah was on the bench but did not play in Atalanta’s 3-0 loss to Sassuolo.
– Mark McKenzie logged 80 minutes in Toulouse’s 1-1 draw against Lorient.