Competitive games are back in several of Europe's top leagues as the 2020-21 season gets underway. Here's a rundown of how some MLS and US men's national team exports fared across the pond.
Fulhamerica doldrums
Fulham’s return to the Premier League didn’t go as planned for two US men’s national team players, as the promoted club suffered a 3-0 loss Saturday against Arsenal at Craven Cottage to begin the 2020-21 campaign.
Tim Ream started and went the full 90 minutes at center back, while left back Antonee Robinson didn’t make the 18-man matchday roster. Arsenal’s opener was a tough moment for Ream, as he miscleared a Granit Xhaka shot that Alexandre Lacazette eventually bundled home.
Check out the full highlights below:
Fulham earned promotion from the second-division Championship through the playoff format. They beat Brentford 2-1 at Wembley Stadium in early August, booking a return to England’s top flight one season removed from being relegated.
Ream, a former New York Red Bulls defender, initially moved to England in 2012 with Bolton Wanderers. He then joined Fulham in 2015, while Robinson awaits his Fulham debut after joining this summer from Wigan Athletic.
German Cup standouts
The DFB-Pokal first round proved fruitful for several USMNT players, especially midfielder Tyler Adams. The former RBNY Homegrown star took home Man of the Match honors in a 3-0 win for RB Leipzig over Nurnberg, continuing his fine form after they made the UEFA Champions League semifinals earlier this summer.
Josh Sargent started and scored the first goal in Werder Bremen’s 2-0 win over DFB Pokal match against Carl Zeiss Jena and he also earned Man of the Match honors.
Julian Green helped Greuther Furth stave off an upset from RSV Meinerzhagen, scoring the eventual game-winner in a 6-1 victory that required extra time. He also assisted Sebastian Ernst's goal in the 71st minute, which kickstarted the six-goal outburst.
Meanwhile, center back John Anthony Brooks was an unused substitute in Wolfsburg’s 4-1 win over FSV Union Furstenwalde.
Konrad’s Barca debut
US youth international forward Konrad de la Fuente made his first-team debut for Barcelona in a 3-1 friendly win over Gimnastic. He’s been at Barca’s La Masia academy since 2014, progressing through the ranks before signing a new deal this past June through 2022.
The 19-year-old scored on a beautiful cross from Trincao in the 58th minute, but the goal was called back.
Cannon scores in Boavista friendly
Reggie Cannon wasted no time in adjusting to Portuguese first-division club Boavista FC. Days after being transferred from FC Dallas, the right back scored in a 4-1 friendly win against Tondela.
Harrison's bright showing
Newly-promoted Leeds United took Liverpool to the brink, dropping a 4-3 decision against the defending English Premier League champions. The highlight, from an MLS perspective, was former NYCFC winger Jack Harrison scored a cracker in the 12th minute to equalize the match. He's again on loan from Manchester City.
