GOAL looks at the biggest storylines among Americans Abroad, including a massive Premier League matchup
Welcome back from the holidays, global football. Did you enjoy your 48 hours off? There is little point, here, in unpacking the awful state of scheduling in this sport, or criticizing the various interested parties that consistently insist on running professional athletes into the ground in the name of money.
Instead, let's focus on the thing we all watch: the highest quality product in the world. Ignore the tired legs and stretched muscles, and you have an interesting weekend of football ahead. Two Americans, Antonee Robinson and Tyler Adams, will face off in a Premier League fixture with unexpected European implications. Weston McKennie will likely play again – his exact position a matter of conjecture and fascination. Brenden Aaronson will be as busy as ever.
U.S. international star Christian Pulisic won't make a return to the Milan side this weekend, manager Paulo Fonseca said Saturday. The American had an outside chance of making an appearance for the Rossoneri, after recovering well from a calf tear. However, an ankle injury, picked up towards the end of his recovery, will rule him out.
Fellow USMNT midfielder Yunus Musah will also remain on the sidelines. Musah has missed the last two games with an unspecified muscle injury, and won't be able to recover in time for Sunday's fixture.
It should make for interesting football. GOAL looks ahead at some of the biggest storylines to follow among Americans Abroad this weekend.
Getty Images SportA massive matchup for USMNT players
Antonee Robinson has been, by some distance, the best left back in the Premier League this season. He provided yet another magical performance for Fulham against Chelsea midweek, playing a key role in a dramatic late turnaround, while also putting in an excellent defensive shift.
There is talk that a move to a Champions League club could come as early as January. Fulham won't like it, but Robinson deserves it. He is one of the main reasons Marco Silva's side are humming in an unexpected eighth place right now.
And on Sunday, they will face another surprise team in Bournemouth, which is also in possession of an impressive American talent. Tyler Adams tends to keep it tidy in the middle of the park. This is not a marauding presence but a reliable footballer, who can do a bit of everything (30-yard bangers against Mexico included).
He had a tough start to the season, injuries limiting his involvement. But he has come into his own of late, and could be important to what now looks like a real battle for European football next season. Having two Americans at the center of it all is mightily impressive.
AdvertisementGettyWeston McKennie will play … somewhere?
So, at first we had bench Weston McKennie. This was the version of the USMNT midfielder who didn't sniff the field after a summer transfer to MLS collapsed. Then, there was utility McKennie. This one came off the bench, did a few interesting things, but couldn't crack the XI.
Then we had influential McKennie, a goalscorer and creator. And now, finally, it's left back McKennie, a player now praised by his manager for his versatility and willingness to work for the team.
This may not be the best version of the player, or even the most comfortable. But the broader point remains: McKennie has found a way to stay in the team, and play consistent football. Juventus are a poor watch this year, and would certainly like to be more competitive in Serie A (they are currently sixth).
Still, it seems that McKennie is in the fold for good. How that presents itself this weekend remains to be seen. Juve have enjoyed a week off, and they might have a few faces back from the treatment table. Either way, a tricky Fiorentina matchup will require a good performance from the American. It's just a question of where he actually lines up.
Getty Images SportBrenden Aaronson to go again
Can someone give Brenden Aaronson's legs a break? The Championship season is frantic this time of year, and even with Leeds playing a more measured brand of football under Daniel Farke, Aaronson remains a buzzing, relentless presence on the pitch. For the Whites, that is undoubtedly a good thing.
Aaronson endured a truly miserable loan move last year, and has really seized the opportunity afforded to him to stick in the team this year. A return of six goals and two assists in the Championship – as well as three goal involvements in his last five games – has been more than agreeable for a side currently top of the league. This live wire of a player doesn't look like slowing down any time soon.
That is also a good thing, not only personally but also for the club. Leeds are top of the league on goal difference, and there is still a lot of football to be played here. Aaronson will need to continue to provide over the course of the season. Derby, on paper, is a kind matchup for the continuation of form.
There are 21 points between the two sides in the table, and Derby have won just two of their last nine. Throw in the fact that Leeds won the return fixture 2-0 on Dec. 7, and the vibes are good. But there is also no such thing as an easy game in this league. Aaronson will have to show up – again.
GETTYPulisic's return put on hold
It was reported, at first, that Christian Pulisic would be sidelined until January after picking up a calf injury for Milan. That seemed bad news for the , who rely heavily on the American. But progress on his recovery seems to be good, and there is speculation in the European media that he could be available as soon as Sunday, at least off the bench.
But then, things took a turn for the worse. Manager Paulo Fonseca revealed that Pulisic has been out of training for two days, this time a new injury forcing him to watch from the sidelines. Little is known outside of the fact that it's an anknle issue. Milan will hope to have him back by Friday's Supercoppa Italiana semi final.