GOAL reviews the major takeaways from Americans playing in Europe, including headlines from those not picked for USMNT squad
Before the U.S. men's national team gathers in Los Angeles for the CONCACAF Nations League this week, there were European club matches to be played. And in an interesting twist, that weekend was defined more by those that didn't make Mauricio Pochettino's squad rather than the ones that did.
Haji Wright was the clear star. A hat-trick earns you that title, and that's what Wright provided for Coventry City. Now recovered from an ankle injury, Wright will now be a huge part of his side's promotion push.
Elsewhere in the Championship, Brenden Aaronson wasn't so lucky. His mishap in Leeds' draw with Queens Park Rangers came just days after he was excluded from the USMNT team. Wright's absence was expected due to that injury. Aaronson's wasn't – and he didn't offer a very good response to that omission.
One player that will be in the U.S. squad, of course, is Christian Pulisic, who joined Wright as this weekend's American goalscorers. His goal was massive for Milan, kickstarting a comeback that the club needed oh-so badly. Pulisic is flying high heading into USMNT camp, which is always good news.
Ahead of the USMNT's Nations League matches, GOAL looks at the major takeaways from this weekend's Americans Abroad.
GettyChristian Pulisic does it again
If you can't guess who made the difference for Milan this weekend, you haven't been paying attention. It's the same guy that's been doing it all season – when healthy – the same guy that has saved this team in so many games and in so many big moments.
Down a goal to Como, Christian Pulisic stepped up with an equalizer, paving the way for a 2-1 come-from-behind win. It's nothing new. He's now got 15 goals on the season, making him the first Milan player to hit that mark in his first two seasons since Zlatan Ibrahimovic. He may not have the legendary striker's personality, but he does have his game-changing ability, and it was on full display on Saturday.
"It was two different games in the first and second half," Pulisic said. "That's been normal for us this season. We struggled a lot in the first half but we changed things up and did well in the second half."
Said Pulisic of his goal, "Instinct. I didn't know where the net was. I just turned and took it. There was a bit of luck!"
Throughout the season, Pulisic has shown that his goalscoring prowess has been more than luck. With Milan fighting for a European spot, every point is precious, and it looked as if Milan wouldn't get any on Saturday. Moments after seeing a second Como goal disallowed, Pulisic popped up to make it 1-1, giving Milan the momentum they needed.
Now that European dream looks a little bit more realistic. They'll need to string some results together, which has been difficult all season. Still, with Pulisic, Milan have a chance to save this season.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportHat-trick Haji Wright impresses Lampard
Haji Wright is back, and not just in the "he's playing" version. No, Wright is back scoring goals.
Wright netted a hat-trick on Saturday, helping lead Coventry City to a 3-0 win over Sunderland in the English Championship. They're his first three goals since November, when he suffered an ankle injury that kept him out of action for more than three months. Now starting, Wright is a difference maker, and Coventry manager Frank Lampard knows it.
"Haji has a laid back way, which is his nature, but he wasn't laid back on the pitch today," Lampard said. "And I have to say the way he moved and the way he won the penalty was high-level stuff from him. As long as he gets his off-the-ball work and transition work right, which he did today, I'm happy. He can play like that, he can run into space, he can hold it up and he can move with it, so yes, I loved his performance.”
Wright wasn't included in the USMNT's Nations League squad due to injury, which was the right call, even if he appears ahead of schedule. The key is to stay fit and keep this rhythm, particularly as Coventry City push towards a playoff spot. The big thing for Wright now is the Premier League – and hat-tricks will go a long way towards getting his club there.
Pochettino will be watching but, for now, it's good that he's impressing another former Chelsea manager in Lampard, who has now added a real weapon in the attack with Wright's return.
GettyAaronson can't respond to USMNT omission
One of the big surprises of Pochettino's USMNT squad was Brenden Aaronson's exclusion. He explained it as a math equation: there are 23 spots in the squad, and he already had a few other No. 10s in mind. Aaronson was the odd man out.
On Saturday, Aaronson had a chance to respond for his club, Leeds United. It didn't go down that way. Aaronson played what was likely his worst game of the season, which will feel even more frustrating given the events of this week.
The USMNT midfielder was directly responsible for the opening goal in Leeds' 2-2 draw with Queens Park Rangers. His poor pass in the box went right to Koki Saito, who finished first-time to give Aaronson the wrong type of assist. It was the type of mistake a player can't make and Aaronson was punished for it before he could even blink.
The rest of the game wasn't any better. He completed just six of his 10 passes, was dispossessed twice and won two of his six duels. Aaronson, justifiably, was hooked at halftime, putting an end to what surely felt like a nightmare game.
It's a rough time right now for the Philadelphia Union product, but this isn't anything he can't come back from. He showed, particularly during a strong December run, that he can contribute goals and assists at the Championship level. Those have dried up recently but, when playing at his best, Aaronson is still a good player, albeit one with room to grow.
“He is always excellent, he was excellent today," Leeds boss Daniel Farke said midweek after a 2-0 win over Milwall. "His best performance in recent weeks. Should have got an assist today. Not perfect but he has overcome his poorer period.”
He's clearly still in that poorer period, despite Farke's claims, and it was only made rougher by his USMNT snub. Now, he'll have to play his way out of it as he looks to guarantee his future with club and country.
AFPDest being Dest
In his 23-minute return against Heernveen earlier this month, Sergino Dest showed glimpses of his old self. After an extended ACL recovery, Dest got forward, as he always does. On Saturday, he made his first start and there were no glimpses – this was Dest being Dest, through and through.
The result was never in doubt as PSV cruised to a 3-0 win. Dest played the first 62 minutes as he continued his road back. In those 62 minutes, he completed more dribbles (four) than anyone else in the match. That's Dest at his best – running at defenders and adding that layer of attacking danger from the fullback position.
He did more than that, too. His passing was good, he got on the ball often and he offered some solid moments defensively. This was a positive step forward. It's important for PSV to be patient, though, and it was good to see them acknowledge that with the early substitute.
Dest is getting close. He actually may even be ahead of schedule. Even as PSV ease him back into the team, Dest is already showing the confidence and belief required to play his game, a good sign after such a long layoff.