U.S. Soccer Weekly Recap: Emily Fox Named to WSL Team of the Year, Rokas Pukštas joins USMNT Trio at Middlesbrough
Goals from USWNT forwards earn results in NWSL, Sergiño Dest continues hot streak with PSV
More U.S. Youth National Team standouts headed abroad while USWNT and USMNT stars found the back of the net in domestic and international play. Here’s a look at last week’s biggest moments across the U.S. Soccer landscape.
Goals galore from USWNT forwards in NWSL Week 19
USWNT strikers were all over the scoresheet in NWSL play last weekend, starting with the 1-1 draw on Friday between Gotham FC and the Portland Thorns. From about 35 yards out, Jaedyn Shaw noticed the goalkeeper off her line and intended to send a cross into the box, but she put enough spin on the ball that it curled towards the goal and into the back of the net to give Gotham the 1-0 lead at the hour mark. Sophia Wilson then rescued a point from the penalty spot 15 minutes later with her 11th goal of the season.
Jaedyn Shaw from distance!
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) August 29, 2026
And when we say distance, we mean DISTANCE 😱 pic.twitter.com/EhIW80Kpr0
On Saturday, Croix Bethune and Michelle Cooper both scored first-half goals in Kansas City Current’s 3-2 win against North Carolina Courage. After the Current forced a turnover in North Carolina’s box, Bethuneescaped pressure from three defenders before curling a left-footed shot into the right-side netting for the second goal of the game. Cooper then scored the eventual game-winner minutes before halftime after making a long run down the right side. She received the ball over the backline and cut inside the penalty box before placing her shot past Courage goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan.
Midfielder Riley Jackson scored from the penalty spot for the Courage, her third goal of the year. Meanwhile in Seattle, the Reign earned a 1-0 win against Houston Dash after Maddie Dahlien volleyed in a finish from the left side of the box.
Emily Fox named to PFA WSL Team of the Year
The Professional Footballers’ Association of the Women’s Super League announced that Arsenal defender Emily Fox was named to the 2026 PFA WSL Team of the Year. Fox recorded one goal and four assists in 37 appearances with Arsenal last season across league play, the Women’s FA Cup, the UEFA Women’s Champions League and the inaugural FIFA Women's Champions Cup, which Arsenal won.
Dest continues strong form with PSV
For the third week in a row, defender Sergiño Dest recorded a goal contribution for Dutch club PSV. In Sunday’s 6-1 win against FC Utrecht, Dest scored the final goal of the match in second-half stoppage time. He made a central run from the right flank, weaving through multiple defenders before playing a give-and-go with Amir Bouhamdi, who played the ball back to Dest in the penalty arc. He took a touch and chipped the sliding goalkeeper for his second goal in as many games. Dest also assisted PSV’s second goal in the 45th minute.
SERGINO DEST.
— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) August 30, 2026
WHAT A RUN, WHAT A GOAL 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/Y1kZG6lv3k
Pukštas latest American to join Middlesbrough
Youth international Rokas Pukštas signed with EFL Championship side Middlesbrough FC on a five-year contract. The 22-year-old midfielder joined Boro from Croatian club Hadjuk Split where he scored 24 goals in 113 appearances over the last six years. Pukštas, who was born in Stillwater, Oklahoma, has played with the U.S. Youth National Team in various age groups, including at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina.He joins USMNT players Sebastian Berhalter, Max Arfsten and Aidan Morris at Middlesbrough.
Sullivan makes MLS history with Philadelphia Union
Midfielder and 16-year-old standout Cavan Sullivan continues to write his name in MLS history books. On Saturday, Sullivan scored a beautiful left-footed goal in the Union’s 3-1 win over Red Bull New York, marking his second goal in as many games and his fifth goal contribution in Philadelphia’s last four. He is just the third player in league history aged 18 or younger with a scoring contribution in four straight matches, and his three goals and seven assists this year ties the record for most goal contributions by a player aged 16 or younger in a single MLS season. The Philadelphia native has competed with the USA at the U-15, U-17 and U-18 age groups, including at the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
The Cavan Sullivan Experience. pic.twitter.com/RIGCq9Pv3Y
— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) August 30, 2026