On the Pitch

USMNT REWIND: A Big Week Abroad as Nine Players Score Goals Across Seven Countries

It was difficult keeping up with all of the goal-scorers from the U.S. Men's National Team pool last week.

Nine - that's right - nine players celebrated goals across seven countries.

There were Brandon Vazquez and Cade Cowell in Mexico, Chris Richards in England, Jordan Pefok in Germany, Folarin Balogun in France, Ricardo Pepi and Paxten Aaronson in the Netherlands, Johnny Cardoso in Spain and Timmy Tillman in the United States.

There were plenty of other highlights as well. The PSV Eindhoven threesome of Sergiño Dest, Malik Tillman and Pepi became the first Americans to perform in a UEFA Champions League knockout round match. They also went on to record a point in the same Dutch match on Sunday.

Weston McKennie recorded two assists in a match for the second time this season, but suffered a dislocated shoulder late in the match.

Representing the goalkeepers, Ethan Horvath registered his first clean sheet with Cardiff City.

HOUR MAN

Fifteen minutes after coming on at halftime, Brandon Vazquez netted his fourth goal in six appearances to help Monterrey to a 3-0 victory at Juarez in Liga MX action on Friday, Feb. 23. The former FC Cincinnati standout replaced Luis Romo at the start of the second half. In the 60th minute, he took a pass from Jordi Cortizo and slotted home a hard shot from just outside the penalty area past goalkeeper Sebastian Jurado into the right corner for a two-goal lead. Monterrey (5-0-3, 18 points) is in third place, trailing first-place Cruz Azul (6-2-1, 19), with a game in hand.

ADDING TO HIS SPOILS

Midfielder Cade Cowell opened his Liga MX account for Guadalajara, striking for the side's first goal in its 3-1 home triumph over Pumas UNAM on Saturday, Feb. 24. After taking a pass from Alan Mozo, Cowell drilled a shot just to the left of the penalty spot past keeper Julio Gonzalez for a 1-0 lead in the 53rd minute. Cowell already had a brace for Chivas in its 3-1 win over Forge FC in a Concacaf Champions League first-round game on Feb. 8.

FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING

Defender Chris Richards' first goal for Crystal Palace ignited the team to a 3-0 home win over 10-man Burnley in the English Premier League on Saturday, Feb. 24. He helped make new manager Oliver Glasner's debut as manager a successful one and kept his team eight points clear of the relegation zone. The unmarked Ricards broke a scoreless deadlock in the 68th minute, heading in Jordan Ayew's cross at the far post past goalkeeper James Trafford for a 1-0 lead. That set up a surge in which the hosts tallied three goals in 11 minutes. Palace (7-12-7, 28) sits in 13th place in the EPL.

MAKING HIS IMPACT

In his third game with Vitesse, midfielder Paxten Aaronson connected for his first goal for the Dutch Eredivisie side in its 2-1 victory over Excelsior on Sunday, Feb. 25. On a deflected ball in the 53rd minute, Aaronson beat goalkeeper Stijn van Gassel from close range to knot things up at 1-1. Vitesse (4-15-4, 16) is in the relegation zone in 17th place.

INSURANCE GOAL

Johnny Cardoso broke into the scoring column for Real Betis for the first time since his transfer from Internacional (Brazil), in its 3-1 La Liga victory past Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, Feb. 25. The midfielder put away a Nabil Fekir feed for Betis’ final goal in the 68th minute. Betis (42) is in sixth place with a 10-4-12 mark.

TAKING THE FIFTH

Forward Jordan Pefok scored his fifth goal of the Bundesliga season for Borussia Mönchengladbach in its 5-2 home win over Bochum on Saturday, Feb. 24. Pefok lifted his team to 4-1 advantage, off Franck Honorat's assist in the 78th minute. Mönchengladbach (6-10-7, 25) sits in 12th place in the German first division.

OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT

Timmy Tillman could not have asked for a better start to the Major League Soccer season as he connected for Los Angeles FC's first goal in its 2-1 home victory over the Seattle Sounders on Saturday, Feb. 24. The 25-year-old midfielder volleyed home Omar Campos' left-wing cross from nine yards past goalkeeper Andrew Thomas in the 45th minute for the 2022 MLS Cup champions and last year's runners-up.

SHOWING HIS BRILLIANCE

Forward Folarin Balogun scored off a brilliant effort in Monaco's 3-2 victory at Lens in French Ligue 1 on Sunday, Feb. 25. Mohammed Salisu sent a long ball down the left flank that Balogun headed once. He then beat his marker, Kevin Danso, and slipped the ball past goalkeeper Brice Samba for a 1-0 edge in the 19th minute. Balogun, however, missed a penalty kick in the 82nd minute before teammate Takumi Minamino tallied the game-winner two minutes into stoppage time. Balogun has five league goals for third-place Monaco (12-6-5, 41).

THE PSV TRIO

What a memorable week for Sergiño Dest, Malik Tillman and Ricardo Pepi in domestic and cup competitions.

They became the first USMNT threesome to appear together in a UEFA Champions League knockout match in PSV Eindhoven’s 1-1 home draw with Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday, Feb. 20. Dest and Tillman played the entire way while, while Pepi replaced Hirving Lozano in the 75th minute. PSV will visit Dortmund on March 13.


On Saturday, Feb. 24, all three players recorded points in PSV's 7-1 road rout of PEC Zwolle. Dest set up Johan Bakayoko's tally, which gave the visitors a 29th-minute lead.


Tillman and Pepi, a pair of second-half substitutes, combined for PSV's final goal, with the former assisting on the striker's score in the 86th minute. Pepi has six goals in only 337 minutes over 17 appearances. PSV (21-0-2, 65) is cruising toward the  Dutch Eredivisie title as it enjoys a 13-point advantage over second-place Feyenoord (17-2-4, 55) with 11 matches remaining in the campaign.

MIXED EMOTIONS

Weston McKennie continued to set up his Juventus teammates, assisting on two more goals, but dislocated his left shoulder. The USA midfielder set up both of Dusan Vlahovic's goals in a 3-2 win over Frosinone in Italy's Serie A on Sunday, Feb. 25.

Only three minutes after the opening kickoff, the USMNT midfielder sent a right-wing cross to Vlahovic, who scored from six yards. From the middle of the box in the 32nd minute, McKennie set up Vlahovic, who buried the ball for the equalizer. McKennie suffered his injury during a tackle in the 87th minute. He also registered two assists against Frosinone in a 4-0 Coppa Italia victory on Jan. 11.

SETTING THE TABLE

Gianluca Busio set up the game-winner for Venezia in stoppage time of its 2-1 dramatic win in Pisa in Italy's Serie B on Saturday, Feb. 24. Busio lofted a right-wing cross into the area that Marco Olivieri put away off a spectacular bicycle kick.

Luca de la Torre created Celta Vigo's first goal in its 2-2 draw at Cadiz in La Liga on Sunday, Feb. 25. He set up Iago Aspas' tally, which lifted the visitors into a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute.

A COUPLE OF CLEAN SHEETS

Inter Miami CF goalkeeper Drake Callender recorded the first shutout of the MLS campaign, backstopping the league's 2-0 season opening win over Real Salt Lake at home on Wednesday, Feb. 21. Callender was called on to make two saves.

Ethan Horvath made a vital stop to preserve his first shutout for Cardiff City in its scoreless home draw with Blackburn Rovers on Feb. 20. Horvath denied Tyrhys Dolan's point-blank attempt with a left-handed save in the 64th minute of the English Championship match.

TAKING THE NEXT STEP

A.C. Milan defeated Rennes on aggregate, 5-3, despite losing the second leg of the opening knockout round the UEFA Europa League to Rennes, 3-2, on Thursday, Feb. 22. Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah will get an opportunity to play in the Round of 16 against Slavia Prague on March 7 and 14.

FULL RUNDOWN

  • Brenden Aaronson (Union Berlin; Bundesliga) - 81 minutes in 2-2 draw vs. Heidenheim (Feb. 24)
  • Paxten Aaronson (Vitesse; Dutch Eredivisie) - 90 minutes, GOAL, in 2-1 win at Excelsior (Feb. 25)
  • Kellyn Acosta (Chicago Fire; MLS) - 17 minutes as a substitute in 2-2 draw at Philadelphia Union (Feb. 25)
  • Tyler Adams (AFC Bournemouth; English Premier League) - Injured, DNP in 1-0 loss vs. Manchester City (Feb. 24)
  • Folarin Balogun (Monaco; French Ligue 1) - 89 minutes, GOAL, in 3-2 win at Lens (Feb. 25)
  • Taylor Booth (Utrecht; Dutch Eredivisie) - Injured, DNP in 1-0 win vs. Heracles (Feb. 24)
  • Gianluca Busio (Venezia; Italian Serie B) – 89 minutes, ASSIST, in 2-1 win at Pisa (Feb. 24)
  • Drake Callender (Inter Miami CF; MLS) 90 minutes in 1-1 draw at LA Galaxy (Feb. 25); 90 minutes, SHUTOUT, in 2-0 win vs. Real Salt Lake (Feb. 21)
  • Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis; Spain La Liga) - 90 minutes, GOAL, in 3-1 win vs. Athletic Bilbao (Feb. 25); 90 minutes in 1-1 draw at Dimano Zagreb in UEFA Europa Conference League (Feb. 22)
  • Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic; Scottish Premiership) - 29 minutes as a substitute in 3-1 win at Motherwell (Feb. 25)
  • Cade Cowell (Guadalajara; Liga MX) - 89 minutes, GOAL, in 3-1 win vs. Pumas UNAM (Feb. 24); 23 minutes as a substitute in 1-0 loss at Necaxa (Feb. 20)
  • Ben Cremaschi (Inter Miami CF; MLS) Injured, DNP in 1-1 draw at LA Galaxy (Feb. 25); Injured, DNP in 2-0 win vs. Real Salt Lake (Feb. 21)
  • Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven; Dutch Eredivisie) - 90 minutes, ASSIST, in 7-1 win at PEC Zwolle (Feb. 25); 90 minutes in 1-1 draw vs. Borussia Dortmund in UCL (Feb. 20)
  • Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo, Spain La Liga) - 90 minutes, ASSIST, in 2-2 draw at Cadiz (Feb. 25)
  • Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas; MLS) - Injured, DNP in 2-1 win vs. San Jose Earthquakes (Feb. 25)
  • Julian Gressel (Inter Miami CF; MLS) - 84 minutes in 1-1 draw at LA Galaxy (Feb. 25); 77 minutes in 2-0 win vs. Real Salt Lake (Feb. 21)
  • Ethan Horvath (Cardiff City; English Championship) - 90 minutes in 2-1 win vs. Stoke City (Feb. 24); 90 minutes, SHUTOUT, in 0-0 draw vs. Blackburn Rovers (Feb. 20)
  • DeJuan Jones (New England Revolution; MLS) - 90 minutes in 3-1 loss at D.C. United (Feb. 24); 90 minutes in 1-0 win at Independiente in Concacaf Champions Cup (Feb. 21)
  • Kristoffer Lund (Palmero; Italy Serie B) - Not in 18, DNP in 2-2 draw at Cremonese (Feb. 24)
  • Lennard Maloney (Heidenheim; Bundesliga) - 83 minutes in 2-2 draw at Union Berlin (Feb. 24)
  • Weston McKennie (Juventus; Italy Serie A) - 87 minutes, TWO ASSISTS, in 3-2 win vs. Frosinone (Feb. 25)
  • Mark McKenzie (Genk; Belgian Pro League) - 90 minutes in 1-0 win at Sporting Charleroi (Feb. 23)
  • Djordje Mihailovic (Colorado Rapids; MLS) - 90 minutes in 4-1 loss at Portland Timbers (Feb. 23)
  • Shaq Moore (Nashville SC; MLS) - 90 minutes in 0-0 draw vs. New York Red BULLS (Feb. 25)
  • Aidan Morris (Columbus Crew; MLS) - 90 minutes in 1-0 win vs. Atlanta United (Feb. 24)
  • Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders; MLS) - 90 minutes in 2-1 loss at Los Angeles FC (Feb. 24)
  • Yunus Musah (A.C. Milan; Italy Serie A) - 11 minutes as a substitute in in 1-1 draw vs Atalanta (Feb. 25); 80 minutes in 3-2 loss at Rennes in UCL (Feb. 22)
  • Jalen Neal (LA Galaxy; MLS) - Injured, DNP in 1-1 draw vs. Inter Miami CF (Feb. 25)
  • Erik Palmer-Brown (Panathinaikos; Greek Super League) - Injured, DNP in 1-1 draw vs. Kifisia (Feb. 25); Injured, DNP in 2-1 loss in Greek Cup (Won in PKs, 6-5) (Feb. 21)
  • Kevin Paredes (Wolfsburg; Bundesliga) - 90 minutes in 2-2 draw at Eintracht Frankfurt (Feb. 25)
  • Jordan Pefok (Borussia Mönchengladbach; Bundesliga) – 89 minutes, GOAL, in 5-2 win vs. Bochum (Feb. 24)
  • Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven; Dutch Eredivisie) - 18 minutes as a substitute, GOAL, in 7-1 win at PEC Zwolle (Feb. 25); 15 minutes as a substitute in 1-1 draw vs. Borussia Dortmund in UCL (Feb. 20)
  • Christian Pulisic (A.C. Milan; Italy Serie A) - 88 minutes in 1-1 draw vs Atalanta (Feb. 25); 62 minutes in 3-2 loss at Rennes in UCL (Feb. 22)
  • Tim Ream (Fulham; English Premier League) - In 18, DNP in 2-1 win at Manchester United (Feb. 24)
  • Gio Reyna (Nottingham Forest; English Premier League) - 9 minutes as a substitute in 4-2 loss at Aston Villa (Feb. 24)
  • Bryan Reynolds (Westerlo; Belgian Pro League) - 90 minutes in 1-0 win at Sint-Truiden (Feb. 24)
  • Chris Richards (Crystal Palace; English Premier League) - 90 minutes, GOAL, in 3-0 win vs. Burnley (Feb. 24); 90 minutes in 1-1 draw at Everton (Feb. 19)
  • Antonee Robinson (Fulham; English Premier League) - 90 minutes in 2-1 win at Manchester United (Feb. 24)
  • Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati; MLS) - 90 minutes in 0-0 draw vs. Toronto FC (Feb. 25)
  • James Sands (New York City FC; MLS) – 90 minutes in 1-0 loss at Charlotte FC (Feb. 24)
  • Josh Sargent (Norwich City; Championship) - 90 minutes in 1-1 draw at Blackburn Rovers (Feb. 24)
  • Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach; Bundesliga) - 90 minutes in 5-2 win vs. Bochum (Feb. 24)
  • Gaga Slonina (Eupen; Belgian Pro League) - 90 minutes in 2-0 loss vs. Cercle Brugge (Feb. 25)
  • Zack Steffen (Colorado Rapids; MLS) - 90 minutes in 4-1 loss at Portland Timbers (Feb. 24)
  • Tanner Tessmann (Venezia; Italy Serie B) – 90 minutes in 2-1 win at Pisa (Feb. 24)
  • Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven; Dutch Eredivisie) - 21 minutes as a substitute, ASSIST, in 7-1 win at PEC Zwolle (Feb. 25); 90 minutes in 1-1 draw vs. Borussia Dortmund in UCL (Feb. 20)
  • Timmy Tillman (Los Angeles FC; MLS) - 90 minutes, GOAL, in 2-1 win vs. Seattle Sounders (Feb. 24)
  • John Tolkin (New York Red Bulls; MLS) - Injured, DNP in 0-0 draw at Nashville SC (Feb. 25)
  • Auston Trusty (Sheffield; English Premier League) - 90 minutes in 1-0 loss at Wolverhampton Wanderers (Feb. 25)
  • Matt Turner (Nottingham Forest; English Premier League) - In 18, DNP in 4-2 loss at Aston Villa (Feb. 24)
  • Brandon Vazquez (Monterrey; Liga MX) – 45 minutes as a substitute, GOAL, in 3-0 win at Juarez (Feb. 23); 10 minutes as a substitute in 0-0 draw vs. Toluca (Feb. 18)
  • Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC; MLS) - 28 minutes as a substitute in 0-0 draw vs. New York Red Bulls (Feb. 25)
  • Tim Weah (Juventus; Italy Serie A) - 28 minutes as a substitute in 3-2 win vs. Frosinone (Feb. 25)
  • Caleb Wiley (Atlanta United; MLS - 90 minutes in 1-0 loss at Columbus Crew (Feb. 24)
  • Haji Wright (Coventry City; English Championship) - 73 minutes in 3-0 loss vs. Preston North End (Feb. 24)
  • DeAndre Yedlin (Inter Miami CF; MLS) - 90 minutes in 1-1 draw at LA Galaxy (Feb. 25); 90 minutes in 2-0 win vs. Real Salt Lake (Feb. 21)
  • Alejandro Zendejas (Club America; Liga MX) - 77 minutes in 1-0 win vs. Cruz Azul (Feb. 24); 45 minutes in 2-2 draw vs. Mazatlan (Feb. 21)

Go Deeper

MNTBrandon VazquezCade CowellChris RichardsPaxten AaronsonJohnny CardosoJordan PefokTimmy TillmanFolarin BalogunSergiño DestMalik TillmanRicardo PepiWeston McKennieGianluca BusioDrake Callender