GOAL's top takeaways from Americans playing in Europe, including Weah's score, Haji Wright's injury, and Christian Pulisic's struggles
Three months into the season, things are going well for USMNT players at the club level in Europe. Some big names have made an impact for big clubs – looking at you, Christian Pulisic. A few who had been underappreciated are now part of wider discussions (Antonee Robinson.) And others have done their part for smaller sides, such as the ever-improving Paxten Aaronson.
For the first time ever, nine Americans appeared in a Champions League matchday – eight of which have received national team call ups. But there has also been some bad news over the past week. Haji Wright, who was in such good form for Coventry, injured an ankle after playing a big role Saturday. Meanwhile, Weston McKennie didn't make much of an impact for his Juventus.
It all has everything poised for another international break. Mauricio Pochettino has played it safe with his squad once again. But this time, with Nations League quarterfinals against Jamaica, the games matter. And good performances for club could have big implications for the USMNT.
GOAL USA looks back at another captivating week from Americans Abroad as the November international break looms.
Getty Images SportHaji Wright's fine run… then injury
It seemed a bit of an uncertain weekend for Haji Wright. When Coventry controversially sacked Mark Robins – the manager who had worked Wright into the XI – there were reasonable questions as to how the American would function. Those fears were done away with quickly on Saturday. Although the Sky Blues were often on the back foot against Sunderland, Wright was an attacking threat throughout. He wasn't too involved in build up play, instead used as a valuable out-ball as Coventry set up in a more defensive formation.
And it worked a charm. After missing a couple of half chances in the first 45 minutes, he really made things happen after the break. An instinctive jabbed finish at the near post saw Coventry pull one back from a 2-0 deficit, and set the table nicely for a respectable 2-2 draw away at the league leaders.
Wright's record of late is impressive. In his last five Championship games, the American has scored four and assisted one. But things took a rather sour turn late, with Wright rolling his ankle in the 89th minute, an injury that will keep him out of the USMNT camp.
"Obviously it'll take time to assess it properly… He's got a bag of ice on his ankle at the moment., the outcome and the assessment things like that is too soon, soon to say. But yeah, he would have been involved [with the USMNT]," Coventry manager Rhys Carr said after the game.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportPaxten Aaronson on the scoresheet again
The other Aaronson, right? At the moment, the younger brother of Leeds' main man Brenden might just be pushing his sibling for the spotlight. Paxten seems to have taken his game to another level this season. He's a hard player to quantify, sometimes used as a false nine, others as a winger or even a No. 8. But wherever he starts, the Philadelphia Union product has been chipping in. He found the net against 12th-placed Heracles Almelo, grabbing the only goal in a 1-0 win.
That finish, a nifty volley from close range, was his fourth of the season – the most on his team. His contributions have kept Utretcht in the Eridivise fight. Although PSV are comfortably in first place, there's still hope for the Dutch side, who could potentially be playing Champions League football next year should their form continue.
There is a long way to go, but Aaronson is playing a key role for a side fighting to appear in the top tier of European football. That's not a bad mark to reach.
GettyTim Weah nets a decisive goal
Weah has endured a confusing season. The right winger picked up a muscle injury at the start of the campaign, and despite contributing whenever he's been on the pitch, he doesn't seem to have the full faith of Thiago Motta. It seems, quiet simply, that there is nothing he can do to keep the manager happy. He may as well continue to score goals in the meantime.
And that's exactly what happened on Saturday. Weah was sparsely involved, but got his name on the scoresheet. It wasn't the prettiest of goals, the winger ghosting into the box and taking advantage of a defensive lapse to turn home a rebound. Still, it was a material contribution. He now has four goal contributions in his last four Serie A games.
And even though Motta is yet to entrust him with a Champions League start, Weah is doing his job in the league. For now, that might just be enough. It certainly will be for Pochettino, who expressed his excitement at having Weah available for him this international break (although a red card suspension will rule him out for the first of the duo of games against Jamaica.)
GettyChristian Pulisic has an off night
Well, it was bound to happen at some point. Pulisic has been so effective for so long that an off night was bound to show up.
And it finally came. Pulisic wasn't necessarily bad against Cagliari, but he did lack his usual zip and thrust. Starting as a No. 10, before being moved to the right wing, the American never quite grabbed a foothold in the game, instead limited to encouraging moments – without any real consistency.
Sure, he was involved in the build up to Milan's third goal, beating his man before forcing a near save, that Tammy Abraham turned home. But that was his only real impact as his side settled for a 3-3 draw.
He has played hero time and time again this season. Maybe he was just due.
