It’s the start to another busy weekend for Americans in the English Football League and beyond with Brenden Aaronson and Josh Sargent finding the back of the net but the action hasn’t been limited to England. Christian Pulisic also scored for Milan on Saturday at Parma on CBS. Meanwhile, Tanner Tessmann is on the way to Olympique Lyon from Venezia as more USMNT players are heading to France.
Let’s take a look at what has happened so far this weekend:
Stock up: Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United)
In a Yorkshire derby, Brenden Aaronson made his first start of the season for Leeds and it was a moment to remember. Opening the scoring for the Whites with great follow-through on a broken play, Aaronson now has two goals in three games despite only starting one. Playing as an attacking midfielder, Aaronson took two shots but it was just as much about how the Leeds attack functioned around him. Mateo Joseph had more space to lay off to other players, Daniel James had space to run into and exploit and Leeds looked more like a unit than they have to open the season.
Expected to win the Championship and return to the Premier League, there is pressure on Leeds but it’s pressure that Aaronson can help ease if he plays more. This was the kind of performance that can ignite a run of starts so now it’s down to seeing if Daniel Farke continues to play Aaronson.
Stock down: Donovan Pines (Barnsley)
While Barnsely’s draw isn’t completely about the introduction of Pines into the match after the half, you never want to be a defender on the pitch when a two-goal lead has been blown. After missing the end of last season due to injury, Pines is working on getting back to full fitness for the Tykes so performances like this can be expected but when promotion is the goal, they also can’t be afforded. He’s a player who is quite useful on set plays when available which is a reason why Barnsley will want to do what they can to keep him involved but it’s a fine balance.
Stock up: Josh Sargent (Norwich City)
Another week, and more goals for Sargent as he can’t stop scoring. Sargent is going to push for the Golden Boot in the Championship this season with goals in back-to-back matches. Norwich’s defense has many reasons for concern after drawing a second consecutive match where Sargent scored but they’d be much worse off without goals from the American. Selling Adam Idah to Celtic, this is Sargent’s team moving forward and the confidence shows in his game.
Notable American performances outside of the EFL
Tanner Tessmann: The transfer merry-go-round is coming to an end for the 22-year-old midfielder as, according to reports, he is heading to Lyon in France. While it’s an odd move for Tessmann after moves to Inter and Fiorentina fell through, the midfielder was then left out of Venezia’s plans. He is ready for a step up in his career but there are questions around if this is the right one. If Tessmann can earn consistent playing time, things could be fine despite how much change Lyon has gone through but it’s the kind of move that certainly could backfire.
Foalrin Balogun: While Balogun was healthy, he didn’t appear in Monaco’s 2-0 victory over Lyon. Already getting off to a tough start to the season after missing chances in Monaco’s opening match against newly promoted Saint-Etienne, this isn’t a great sign despite it being early. Balogun will get his chances but he also needs to take them after only scoring eight goals and assisting five more in his first season with Monaco. The United States men’s national team needs Balogun but with other strikers doing well around the world, he needs to be playing in order to keep his place.
