By and large, it was a productive weekend for U.S. World Cup hopefuls scattered across Europe, the United States and Mexico. Four scored, four assisted and two helped their Canadian side advance to MLS Cup for the first time.
For four of them, in particular, it was also a weirdly delightful weekend.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLet’s begin with someone rarely discussed but a contender for a roster spot next summer: Jonathan Klinsmann, whose father, Jurgen, the former Germ
an superstar, used to coach the U.S. men’s national team.
The 28-year-old goalkeeper, who grew up in Southern California, is employed by Cesena in Italian Serie B. A former U.S. youth international, he has received a few senior call-ups, including the November camp, but has yet to earn his first cap.
On Friday, he pulled off a bizarro hat trick of sorts in Italy: a penalty kick save, a clean sheet and an assist on the match’s only goal, against Modena. With a near-perfect 9.6 rating from Fotmob, he was the player of the match.
In Cesena’s pursuit of promotion to Serie A — I Cavallucci Marini, or the Seahorses, are fourth, four points from the top — Klinsmann has started all 14 matches and conceded 14 goals while recording three shutouts.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAs for Klinsmann’s standing with Mauricio Pochettino and the U.S. program, the goalkeeping situation is unsettled heading into 2026.
With 12 consecutive starts, New York City FC’s Matt Freese is the clear No. 1 on the depth chart. Though he wasn’t called up in November, New England’s Matt Turner would seem to have the No. 2 spot, because of his experience (52 caps, 2022 World Cup starter). Klinsmann, Columbus’ Patrick Schulte (three caps), Chicago’s Chris Brady (none), Cincinnati’s Roman Celentano (none) and perhaps Colorado’s Zack Steffen (30, but just one the past three years) are also in the mix.
All the MLS keepers, however, have entered the offseason and will not have any competitive matches until February, leaving Klinsmann with a prime opportunity to make his case before Pochettino narrows his options for the reported friendlies in Atlanta against Portugal and Belgium in late March.
It’s hard to envision someone without any international appearances making the World Cup squad, and as it stands, Freese seems certain to start both March matches — the last friendlies before Pochettino names his team in late May. The competition for at least one, and maybe two, of the three slots, though, seems far from over.
Bournemouth's Tyler Adams scored from 45 yards out, sparking the USMNT's oddball weekend. (Lee Parker - CameraSport via Getty Images)While Klinsmann prevented goals over the weekend, Tyler Adams scored one from some 45 yards. After collecting a pass in his own end and accelerating across the halfway line, the central midfielder alertly spotted Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs well forward and drove a shot over the leaping keeper for his second Premier League goal in his past four outings.
In France’s Ligue 1, Olympique Marseille was on the verge of stepping into first place when mid-table Toulouse scored a stoppage-time equalizer — off a throw-in by U.S. defender Mark McKenzie. His long toss set up Santiago Hidalgo’s header for a 2-2 draw.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAnother unusual situation unfolded in the Netherlands, where Ricardo Pepi was actually in PSV Eindhoven’s lineup. The striker took full advantage of his first start in more than two months, assisting on Joey Veerman’s goal in the sixth minute and scoring with an angled overhead kick in the 24th during a 3-0 home victory over Volendam.
Elsewhere, four players were involved in knockout competitions in both MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX.
MLS
Brian White, on the fringes of the U.S. striker pool, scored twice from close range in the first half as the Vancouver Whitecaps rolled into their first MLS Cup with a 3-1 away victory against San Diego FC. Midfielder Sebastian Berhalter also played 90 minutes for the Whitecaps, who will visit Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami for the trophy Saturday. Midfielder Luca de la Torre played the second half for San Diego.
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U.S. winger Alex Zendejas scored in the 30th minute of Club América’s 2-1 victory over visiting Monterrey in the second leg of the quarterfinals. But Monterrey’s stoppage-time goal provided a 3-2 aggregate triumph.
Italy
A week after scoring the winner in the derby against Inter Milan, Christian Pulisic sat out first-place AC Milan’s 1-0 victory over Lazio with a thigh injury. It was not considered serious and, as a precaution, he watched from the stands. He might return Thursday for the rematch against Lazio in Coppa Italia.
Four days after scoring in the Champions League, Weston McKennie went the distance as Juventus came from behind to defeat Cagliari, 2-1. Yunus Musah did not receive any playing time in Atalanta’s 2-0 victory over Fiorentina.
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Chris Richards played 90 in Crystal Palace’s 2-1 home loss to Manchester United, while Brendan Aaronson entered in the 90th of Leeds’ 3-2 loss at Manchester City.
Antonee Robinson — who hasn’t been in uniform in almost two months and hasn’t played for the national team in more than a year — remains sidelined for Fulham with a knee ailment, but there might be light at the end of the long tunnel.
“He is getting good feelings but is doing individual work — nice to see him on the pitch,” Manager Marco Silva said. “He is getting better and more confident — not just about his knees but his mindset. Soon we can have more news, but right now we have no timescale.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementPatrick Agyemang scored his third Championship goal and played 90 minutes for Derby County, but his second-minute strike was canceled out in a 2-1 loss at Middlesbrough. Middlesbrough’s Aidan Morris, a usual starter, sat out with an injury.
Josh Sargent (88 minutes) had an assist in Norwich City’s 3-1 victory over Queens Park Rangers but extended his scoring drought to 15 games for club and country.
Injured striker Haji Wright missed his third consecutive match for Championship leader Coventry City — and he might have a hard time getting his job back from his replacement, Ellis Simms, who has five goals in that span.
Germany
If you thought Gio Reyna’s U.S. performances in November might elevate his role at Mönchengladbach, think again. The 23-year-old attacker entered in the 73rd minute of a 0-0 draw with RB Leipzig. Since returning from international duty, he has logged 35 minutes in two appearances.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementRight back Joe Scally, Reyna’s teammate for club and country, made his fourth consecutive start. Central midfielder Malik Tillman played 74 minutes in Bayer Leverkusen’s 2-1 loss at Borussia Dortmund. In Bavaria, defensive midfielder James Sands and second-to-last St. Pauli were no match for undefeated leader Bayern Munich, 3-1.
Defender Noahkai Banks and Augsburg conceded three first-half goals in a 3-0 loss at Heidenheim. In the second division, left wing John Tolkin went 74 minutes as Holstein Kiel fell 1-0 at home to surging Hertha Berlin.
France
Winger Tim Weah went the distance for Marseille in that aforementioned 2-2 home draw with Toulouse, while Folarin Balogun and Tanner Tessmann departed their respective matches in the closing moments with what appeared to be minor injuries.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBalogun and Monaco upset visiting Paris Saint-Germain 1-0, but for the first time in his past six starts, the U.S. striker did not score. Typically a defensive midfielder, Tessmann made his second consecutive start on the backline as Olympique Lyonnais routed Nantes 3-0. Could he provide cover in the back for the national team, as well?
Others
While Pepi made a rare start for PSV Eindhoven, right back Sergiño Dest was in the lineup for the 13th time in 14 matches for the Eredivisie leaders, who are 12-1-1 with a plus-27 goal differential. … Three days after returning from a two-month absence, central midfielder Johnny Cardoso was affixed to the bench for Atletico Madrid’s 2-0 win over Oviedo. … Scottish power Celtic continues to show trust in center back Auston Trusty, who has played every minute of his past seven appearances across all club competitions. On Sunday, second-place Celtic defeated Hibernian 2-1 for its fourth consecutive Premiership victory.
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