GOAL reviews the major takeaways from Americans playing in Europe, including major appearances by both Balogun, Tillman
For those members of the U.S. men's national team playing abroad, this weekend was all about responding. Not for the team as a whole, to be fair. They won't have the collective chance to erase that dismal performance in the CONCACAF Nations League until they reconvene this summer.
It's a long wait, one that'll feel longer given how underwhelming they played in Los Angeles.
But as individuals? On that level, that's where the responses needed to happen. They did, in particular, from two players that have a hell of a lot to prove right now.
Both Brenden Aaronson and Josh Sargent were on the scoresheet for their clubs, bouncing back from two very different forms of disappointment during the international break. Aaronson will be disappointed to have missed out on the U.S. Nations League roster. Sargent will be disappointed with his performance, or lack thereof. Both bounced back, though, showing Mauricio Pochettino and whoever else might be watching that they're ready to move on.
That was one storyline. The other? Some major returns. Both Folarin Balogun and Malik Tillman were back for their respective teams, making appearances off the bench after significant injury layoffs. Both could be key this summer and both now have time to build some fitness and confidence on their way there.
Not all was perfect, though. While two Americans advanced to the FA Cup semifinals, two others fell short. Meanwhile, in Italy, AC Milan's nightmare run continued, all but ending their hopes of a European push.
In general, it was a busy weekend, particularly given the extra eyes on USMNT stars abroad after the losses to both Panama and Canada last week. GOAL looks at the major takeaways from this weekend's Americans Abroad.
Getty Images SportAaronson's big response
The celebration told you everything you needed to know. As he sprinted towards the corner, finger to his head followed by a leaping fist pump, Aaronson said everything after his omission from the latest USMNT squad.
His exclusion was a surprise, and his initial response was a dud. In the final game before the international break, Aaronson struggled, offering little evidence that Pochettino had gotten it wrong. Ahead of Sunday's clash with Swansea, Leeds boss Daniel Farke publicly defended Aaronson, while looking at the latest USMNT squad in a "glass half full" sort of way.
“He is a player who always gives everything,” Farke said on Thursday. “It was beneficial he was left out of the U.S. squad. It was good to let him recharge for a few days because although he has so much energy, even his tank was empty.
“You could feel in the last days in training that he is recharged and looks sharper. He’s scored many goals and assisted in training a lot. He’s on the up again. We need that for the last eight games.”
It took Aaronson just over 30 seconds to prove Farke right. His usual pressing helped him get a goal, his second since the start of the new year and ninth on the season. It was the type of goal that rebuilds a player's confidence, particularly after a setback as big as the one that just hit Aaronson. Leeds went on to draw 2-2, unfortunately for them, but it'll surely be a positive to see Aaronson respond in the way that he did.
It'll be positive for Pochettino, too, who will surely be welcoming back a motivated midfielder should he choose to bring him into the squad this summer.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportSargent back scoring
Unlike Aaronson, Sargent was in the latest USMNT squad, but it's safe to say the Nations League wasn't a memorable experience. He was held scoreless in the first game, continuing a drought dating back to 2019, and was then benched for the second game. This month seemed like a chance for Sargent to really push for a starting spot. Instead, it further showed how much work he has to do to catch those ahead of him.
Despite it all, Sargent has been damn near unstoppable for Norwich all season long, and that continued on Saturday with a late winner. With Norwich needing a result to keep their promotion playoff hopes alive, Sargent netted a 92nd-minute winner against West Brom, sealing a 1-0 result that will feel massive for both the player and his club.
Sargent's importance on the club level has never been questioned. With 13 goals in 25 Championship appearances, Sargent continues to tear up England's second division. He has 42 goals and counting since Norwich's relegation in 2022 and, if the club does somehow go up this season, their Premier League rise will no doubt be down to Sargent's finishing.
Somehow, he'll have to convert that to some sort of USMNT form. It hasn't happened yet and, based on what we've seen at Norwich, it surely is in his head. Sargent is a great candidate for the old "ketchup bottle" theory: once he sees one go in, they'll start flowing out.
It didn't happen in March and Sargent's status is, rightfully, being questioned. All he can do now is keep scoring for Norwich until he gets another crack with the USMNT.
AFPBalogun and Tillman make returns
Following the Nations League, the USMNT was slammed for their lack of creativity in the final third. This weekend saw the returns of two players that could have helped in Los Angeles last week but, more importantly, those two players could help down the line.
First up was Folarin Balogun, who came on for a 15-minute cameo in Monaco's 2-1 win over Nice on Saturday. He didn't do anything special, touching the ball just nine times, but the fact that he was out there for the first time since December was a huge step forward. His shoulder injury essentially ruined this 2024-25 season, and it's too late to really fix that fact, but Balogun can now get back into the swing of things over these final few months.
Malik Tillman has played for Pochettino, but he was also absent during the Nations League. He's never really dominated on the USMNT level, but his creativity at the No. 10 position surely could have been helpful, in particular, against Panama.
After a month and a half out with an ankle injury, Tillman returned for PSV well ahead of schedule with an appearance in Sunday's loss to Ajax in a match that also saw Sergino Dest and Richy Ledezma feature. He completed all 27 of his passes, four of which were into the final third, showing glimpses of what he can add to a team.
Both would have been helpful in the Nations League and both still have a ways to go to get back to their best. Ahead of a USMNT summer that suddenly feels bigger than many thought it would be, it'll be good to have them back.
Getty Images SportCardoso on the scoresheet, too
Another player who was out of the USMNT squad stepped up with a big goal. Johnny Cardoso was a late exclusion for Nations League, an injury absence that forced a change in the squad. He was back in the XI for Real Betis on Sunday, scoring a rare goal to lead them to a win over Sevilla.
The goal was just his third of the season and second in La Liga. The only other one was recently against Real Madrid. When Cardoso does score, he seems to do so at the right time for Betis, who have now climbed up to sixth in La Liga. Cardoso has played a big part in that, helping hold down the midfield for a club that continues to challenge both in their domestic league and the Europa Conference League.
The jury is still out on Cardoso with the USMNT. He, like Sargent, has plenty to prove. He hasn't turned in a signature performance in a U.S. shirt and injuries have kept him from proving himself under Pochettino. With Tyler Adams now back, opportunities may be harder to come by for anyone looking to make their mark as a deeper-lying midfielder with the USMNT.
The occasional goal will help, though, and Cardoso scored an important one this weekend.
