For four of them, in particular, it was also a strangely lovely weekend.
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Let’s start with someone who is rarely talked about, but is a contender for a roster spot next summer: Jonathan Klinsmanwhose father, Jurgen, the former Germ
a superstar who used to coach the United States men’s national team.
The 28-year-old goalkeeper, who grew up in Southern California, is employed by Cesena in the Italian Serie B. A former US youth international, he has received a few senior call-ups, including the November camp, but is yet to earn his first cap.
On Friday, he achieved a rare hat-trick of sorts in Italy: a penalty save, a clean sheet and an assist on the game’s only goal, against Modena. With an almost perfect rating of 9.6 PhotomobHe was the player of the match.
In Cesena’s quest for promotion to Serie A (I Cavallucci Marini, or the Seahorses, are fourth, four points off the top), Klinsmann has started all 14 games and has conceded 14 goals and recorded three shutouts.
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Regarding Klinsmann’s position before Mauricio Pochettino and the American program, the goalkeeper situation is unstable heading into 2026.
With 12 consecutive starts, New York City FC Matt Freese He’s the clear No. 1 on the depth chart. Although he was not called up in November, the New England team Matt Turner He would appear to have the number 2 spot, due to his experience (52 caps, starter at the 2022 World Cup). Klinsmann, Colon Patrick Schulte (three international matches), Chicago’s Chris Brady (none), Cincinnati Roman Celentan (none) and maybe the one in Colorado Zack Steffen (30, but only one in the last three years) are also in the mix.
All MLS goalkeepers, however, have entered the offseason and will not have any competitive games until February, leaving Klinsmann with an excellent opportunity to make his case before Pochettino narrows down his options for friendlies in Atlanta against Portugal and Belgium at the end of March.
It is difficult to imagine anyone without international appearances in the World Cup squad and, as things stand, it seems certain that Freese will start both games in March, the last friendlies before Pochettino names his team at the end of May. However, the competition for at least one, and perhaps two, of the three positions appears to be far from over.
(Lee Parker – CameraSport via Getty Images)
Although Klinsmann avoided goals over the weekend, tyler adams He scored one from about 45 meters. After receiving a pass in his own half and accelerating across the halfway line, the central midfielder alertly spotted Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs far ahead and fired over the leaping goalkeeper for his second Premier League goal in his last four games.
In France’s Ligue 1, Olympique Marseille was on the verge of moving into first place when mid-table Toulouse scored an equalizer in injury time after a throw-in by the American defender. Mark McKenzie. His long shot set up Santiago Hidalgo’s header to tie it 2-2.
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Another unusual situation developed in the Netherlands, where ricardo pepi In fact, he was in the PSV Eindhoven lineup. The forward made the most of his first start in more than two months, assisting on Joey Veerman’s goal in the sixth minute and scoring with an angled shot in the 24th minute during a 3-0 home win over Volendam.
On the other hand, four players participated in knockout competitions in both MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX.
MLS
Brian BlancoOutside the American forward group, he scored twice from close range in the first half as the Vancouver Whitecaps advanced to their first MLS Cup with a 3-1 road victory against San Diego FC. Midfielder Sebastian Berhalter He also played 90 minutes for the Whitecaps, who will visit Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami for the trophy on Saturday. Midfielder luca de la torre He played the second half for San Diego.
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Mexico
American extreme Alex Zendejas he 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 goal in extra time provided a 3-2 aggregate victory.
Italy
A week after scoring the winning goal in the derby against Inter Milan, Christian Pulisic He missed 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 could return on Thursday for the rematch against Lazio in the Coppa Italia.
Four days after scoring in the Champions League, Weston McKennie It went all the way when Juventus came back to defeat Cagliari 2-1. yunus musah He had no playing time in Atalanta’s 2-0 victory over Fiorentina.
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England
Chris Richards He made 90 appearances in Crystal Palace’s 2-1 home defeat to Manchester United, while Brendan Aaronson He came on in the 90th minute of Leeds’ 3-2 defeat to Manchester City.
Antonio Robinson (who has not worn a uniform for almost two months and has not played for the national team in over a year) remains sidelined by Fulham with a knee problem, but there could be light at the end of the long tunnel.
“He’s having a good feeling but he’s doing an individual job; it’s good to see him on the field,” said coach Marco Silva. “He’s getting better and more confident, not only with his knees but also with his mindset. We may have more news soon, but right now we don’t have a timeline.”
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Patricio Agyemang He scored his third goal in the Championship and played 90 minutes for Derby County, but his second-minute goal was disallowed in a 2–1 defeat at Middlesbrough. Middlesbrough Aidan Morrisregular starter, was left out due to injury.
joseph sergeant (88 minutes) provided an assist in Norwich City’s 3-1 victory over Queens Park Rangers, but extended his goal drought to 15 games for club and country.
Injured striker Haji Wright He missed his third successive game for Championship leaders Coventry City and could struggle to get his job back from his replacement, Ellis Simms, who has five goals in that period.
Germany
if you thought gio reynaThe United States’ performances in November could elevate its role in Mönchengladbach, think again. The 23-year-old attacker came on in the 73rd minute of the 0-0 draw against RB Leipzig. Since returning from international duty, he has logged 35 minutes in two appearances.
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Back Joe ScallyReyna’s teammate at club and national team, made his fourth consecutive start. central midfielder Malik Tillman He played 74 minutes in Bayer Leverkusen’s 2-1 loss to Borussia Dortmund. In Bavaria, defensive midfielder James Arenas and the penultimate St. Pauli were no match for the undefeated leader Bayern Munich, 3-1.
Advocate Noahkai Banks and Augsburg conceded three first-half goals in a 3-0 defeat at Heidenheim. In the second division, left wing John Tolkin 74 minutes passed and Holstein Kiel fell 1-0 at home to emerging Hertha Berlin.
France
Abroad Tim Weah went all the way for Marseille in that aforementioned 2-2 draw at home against Toulouse, while Folarin Balogun and Tanner Tessmann They left their respective matches in the final moments with what appeared to be minor injuries.
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Balogun and Monaco stunned visiting Paris Saint-Germain 1-0, but for the first time in his last six starts, the American forward did not score. Tessmann, usually a defensive midfielder, made his second consecutive start in the backline as Olympique Lyonnais defeated Nantes 3-0. Could you also cover the back of the national team?
Others
While Pepi had an unusual start at PSV Eindhoven, right back Sergiño Dest He was in the lineup for the 13th time in 14 games for the Eredivisie leaders, who are 12-1-1 with a plus-27 goal difference. … Three days after returning from a two-month absence, the midfielder Johnny Cardoso He was placed on the bench during Atlético de Madrid’s 2-0 victory over Oviedo. …The Scottish Celtic continues to trust the central defender Reliable Austonwho has played every minute of their last seven games in all club competitions. On Sunday, second-place Celtic defeated Hibernian 2-1, claiming their fourth consecutive Premiership win.