Football
Soccer

    Christian Pulisic finally starts, Giovanni Reyna returns and Brian Reynolds' debut

    Tom PateyTom Patey16 March 2021
    Bryan Reynolds Roma March 2021

    Bryan Reynolds Roma March 2021

    With the FIFA 2022 World Cup just a year away, the United States men’s national team could be a force to be reckoned with, due to their pool of young talent performing weekly around Europe.

    As the European domestic leagues approach the business end of the season, Planet Sport continues to track the progress of the Americans stars plying their trade in Europe.

    Whether it be Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie or Josh Sargent, there are numerous United States Men's national team stars making a name for themselves in their respective leagues.

    While the FIFA 2022 World Cup - where they are a 60/1 longshot with Paddy Power - may prove a step too far for this potentially golden generation of American soccer stars, they are all gaining vital experience which will serve them well at major tournaments.

    Christian Pulisic

    13th March, Leeds 0-0 Chelsea

    After waiting patiently in recent weeks, Pulisic finally got the chance to start under Thomas Tuchel for the Blues.
    Strangely, however, the American was deployed as a right wing-back for the majority of his 67-minute appearance, despite usually being known for operating further forward.
    Pulisic was a catalyst for Chelsea's lively start at Elland Road, creating an early chance which Kai Havertz squandered.
    Christian Pulisic Chelsea

    Pulisic's wait to start is now over but he failed to make any significant contribution for Thomas Tuchel against Leeds

    Perhaps frustrated by Pulisic missing a shooting opportunity in the second half, Tuchel swiftly removed the American for Reece James, who is a right-back by trade.
    Offered a rare starting place by the German manager, Pulisic's quiet performance may not have done himself too many favours or made any significant lasting impressions.

    Rating: 6/10

    Deandre Yedlin

    13th March, Kayserispor 0-3 Galatasaray

    After missing out on the starting line-up last week, Yedlin made his way back into the eleven for the trip to Kayserispor.

    An effective performance at right-back saw the American focus more on his attacking and overlapping duties down the right flank than his usual defensive responsibilities.

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    — OneGoal (@OneGoalUS) March 13, 2021
    Nevertheless, Yedlin and Galatasaray cantered to yet another victory and clean sheet as they remain in pursuit of the Super Lig title.

    Rating: 6.5/10

    Sergino Dest

    15th March, Barcelona 4-1 SD Huesca

    Carrying on his run of starting on the right for Ronald Koeman's side, Dest took the initiative for the hosts as he fizzed in the first shot of the game on Huesca's goal.

    Another good outing on the right flank came to an end in the 67th minute when Barcelona sent on Ilaix Moriba.

    While there was no reward of a clean sheet for Dest, the American teenager will be encouraged by the fact his side are now just four points behind league leaders Atletico Madrid.

    Rating: 6/10

    Giovanni Reyna

    13th March, Borussia Dortmund 2-0 Hertha Berlin

    Reyna made his return from injury, appearing as a substitute in the 71st minute as he replaced Thorgan Hazard on the right-hand side for the hosts.

    The American, who is son of Claudio Reyna, will be delighted to have made his comeback, however, it could have been a lot better.

    In the second half, Reyna had the simplest of tap-ins but he managed to smash his effort against the post from close range.

    While his focus may have been getting back on to the pitch, the 18-year-old has now not scored for 12 games and he isn't likely to see a better opportunity all season than the one he missed against Hertha Berlin.

    Rating: 6/10

    Matthew Hoppe

    13th March, Wolfsburg 5-0 Schalke

    After a seven-game goal drought and the appointment of new manager Dimitrios Grammozis, Hoppe found himself on the bench for the trip to Wolfsburg.

    Completely out of the game at 4-0 by the time of his 72nd-minute introduction, the American forward failed to make an impact with the limited service his Schalke side provided.

    The striker, who celebrated his 20th birthday on the day of the Wolfsburg fixture, will be desperate to get back into scoring ways, with Schalke sat 12 points adrift at the bottom of the German top flight.

    Rating: 6/10

    Tyler Adams

    14th March, RB Leipzig 1-1 Eintracht Frankfurt

    RB Leipzig slipped up in their chase of Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga with a draw against Frankfurt in which Adams started on the bench for Julian Nagelsmann's side.

    With the versatile American on the bench, Leipzig seemed to lose a little bit of bite and tenacity in midfield as Marcel Sabitzer looked lost without his holding-midfield partner.

    Adams was perhaps victim of Leipzig's change of formation, however, as the hosts opted for a four-man defence, meaning there was no room for Adams to slot in at right wing-back either.
    Introduced in the 86th minute, he had barely any time to impose himself upon Frankfurt as the home side went in search of a late winner.
    Nevertheless, his performances in recent weeks have surely been enough to warrant a continued place in the side so he should expect to return to the starting line-up in the near future.

    Rating: N/A

    Josh Sargent

    13th March, Werder Bremen 1-3 Bayern Munich

    After netting three goals in three Bundesliga games, Sargent came into the Bayern fixture full of confidence, ably supported by the likes of Milot Rashica and Romano Schmid behind him.

    However, the forward failed to recreate his impressive form against Hans Dieter-Flick's team with Jerome Boateng and Lucas Hernandez offering Sargent little in the way of chances.
    The American showed brief glimpses of quality with a mazy run in the second half and a lovely throughball to tee up Rashica's parried shot for Bremen's late consolation goal.
    Fortunately, Sargent won't have to go up against the Bundesliga champions every week and he will be looking to return to form in the coming weeks, pushing Bremen further away from the relegation spots in the German top-flight.

    Rating: 6.5/10

    Chris Richards

    14th March, Stuttgart 2-0 Hoffenheim

    It was a bad day at the office for Hoffenheim and Richards as the hosts comfortably cruised to victory.

    Ryan Sessegnon's early booking at left wing-back left Richards with a lot to do as the left-sided centre-back of the visitors' three-man defence.

    Unfortunately for the American, he was powerless to stopping Stuggart's charge as Sasa Kalajdzic caused real chaos as a lone striker all game.
    While speculation persists over his future, whether out on loan again or returning to Bayern Munich, Richards will be hoping he can get back to keeping clean sheets as his team have now gone five games without one.

    Rating: 6/10

    Weston McKennie

    14th March, Cagliari 1-3 Juventus

    With Cristiano Ronaldo scoring a first-half hat-trick, Juventus were virtually out of sight by the time McKennie came on in the 70th minute.

    Andrea Pirlo continues to manage McKennie's workrate, perhaps consciously aware of protecting him for when it gets down to the final games of the season in the next month or so.

    Due to his late introduction, the midfielder had little time to influence the game but he did produce an efficient performance as the Old Lady coasted to another three points in Serie A.

    Rating: 6/10

    Tim Weah

    14th March, Monaco 0-0 Lille

    Weah started on the left wing as part of an attacking trio who were tasked with supporting Canadian Jonathan David up front.

    The 21-year-old forward, who is son of George Weah, struggled to make any real impact on the Ligue 1 fixture as Lille appeared content to settle for a well-deserved point away from home at fourth-placed Monaco.

    With Paris Saint-Germain surprisingly losing out to Nantes, Weah's team remain three points clear at the top of the French top-flight with nine games left to play.

    Rating: 6/10

    Bryan Reynolds

    14th March, Parma 2-0 Roma

    Finally, three months after moving to the Italian capital and overcoming fitness and visa-related issues, Reynolds made his debut for Roma.

    With Bruno Peres being cautioned in the first half, the American wing-back was granted the chance to come on a bit earlier than expected.

    Despite running out 2-0 losers, Reynolds will be pleased to have made a 30-minute cameo and, after months of waiting, get a taste of the Serie A.

    Since the visitors were already 2-0 down, the substitute right wing-back had a mountain to climb when he was introduced but, in his brief appearance, he looked more than capable of playing at that level.

    Rating: 6/10

    Indiana Vassilev

    13th March, Exeter City 0-1 Cheltenham Town

    With opportunities few and far between for the Aston Villa loanee, it may soon be time for Vassilev to start thinking about where his future lies for next season.

    The American forward started on the bench once again for Cheltenham, however, on this occasion he didn't even get to feature as the visitors battled to a 1-0 victory.
    Having appeared for just 118 minutes since making his loan move, Vassilev and perhaps Dean Smith at Villa will be frustrated with the lack of opportunities so far in League Two for the attacker.

    Rating: N/A

    Antonee Robinson

    13th March, Fulham 0-3 Manchester City

    Ola Aina remained as Scott Parker's preferred left-back meaning Robinson was forced to occupy the bench again for the visit of Manchester City.

    The American wing-back was then introduced with the game all but over in the 80th minute as he replaced Ivan Cavaleiro to play a more advanced role than usual in the last ten minutes.

    With the Cottagers in a relegation battle, Robinson will have to put in some big performances in the coming weeks if Parker does grant him the opportunity to start.

    Rating: N/A

    Tim Ream

    13th March, Fulham 0-3 Manchester City

    In the same game, Ream - as has been the case all season - was an unused substitute as the centre-back continues to be unable to displace the defensive pairing of Joachim Andersen and Tosin Adarabioyo.

    Due to Ream's lack of minutes, talk of a move away at the end of the season persists. However, his future may be entirely dependent on whether Fulham manage to keep their Premier League status or not.

    Rating: N/A

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