GOAL looks at the biggest storylines among Americans Abroad, including transfer talk around Robinson and whether Adams can return
Suddenly, everything feels quiet. With the Bundesliga, Eredivisie, and La Liga all on well-deserved breaks, many Americans who are typically in the spotlight are currently on vacation.
But there remains football to be played, even if the headline-grabbers might be injured or enjoying some well-earned rest. As with most things this season, it all starts with Antonee Robinson, who has been consistently excellent for Fulham. He was a little short of his best against Bournemouth last week and could do with a return to form this weekend.
Brenden Aaronson, meanwhile, is looking to build on a man of the match performance from Leeds' win over Derby, where the American bagged a crucial 78th-minute goal. And finally, there is more concern about Tyler Adams. He missed the Fulham game with a knock, and there is no official word on when he might be back (although his manager suggested his injury wasn't major).
The weekend got off to a rousing start for Americans Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah, who accounted for both goals as AC Milan rallied past Juventus 2-1 in a Supercoppa Italiana semifinal Friday. Beyond that, the weekend is defined with UK football focus, with others such as Auston Trusty and Cameron Carter-Vickers also perhaps playing roles in Scotland.
Either way, there's plenty of intrigue to be found, with places in the USMNT always up for grabs. GOAL looks ahead at some of the biggest storylines to follow among Americans Abroad this weekend.
Getty Images SportAntonee Robinson to continue form
It could be a strange month for Robinson. On the pitch, things are better than they have ever been for the left back. He is the best in the Premier League at the moment, posting career-highs in assists while being as reliable as ever defensively. But now is when things start to get a bit complicated. There is a fair chance that at some point within the next six months, Robinson will leave Fulham. The boyhood Liverpool fan has been linked with Arne Slot's, while there have also been sparse connections to Manchester United (USMNT fans will likely hope their starting full back heads to the Premier League leaders for a chance at lifting the trophy).
Whether that happens in January is unclear. Robinson was short of his best last time out as Fulham let a late lead slip to Bournemouth. It's too early to tell if that was a one-off or if the rumors are starting to affect his performance in this month of distraction. This week brings a friendlier assignment in Ipswich. The newly-promoted side picked up their first Premier League home win in 30 years in their last fixture, but are still odds-on to go down. This might be one where Robinson's attacking chops are needed just a little bit more.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportBrenden Aaronson with some more magic
"I put it straight away into my poetry album and on such a difficult pitch. A perfect team move, Brenden with a perfect calm finish.”
Those were the words of Leeds manager Daniel Farke after Aaronson's goal to seal a 1-0 win over Derby. And he's right. It was a clever thing, a series of quick interchanges and cute passes before a crucial bit of composure in front of the net. Aaronson is usually a buzzing, active presence. That was the finish of a seasoned veteran who is intentionally slowing the game down – if only a little bit. He now has seven goals on the season, and Leeds are top of the English Championship.
It's a fine position for , and Aaronson, too, who is enjoying a solid campaign back in England. Still, the Championship is a precarious division. None of the teams this year are quite running away with it. Leeds will struggle through a few games. Saturday, away at relegation-threatened Hull City could be one of them.
The hosts are one of the worst attacking sides in the league – dead last in goals scored. But they're middle of the pack in goals against, and won't be afraid to play out an ugly 90 minutes. It reeks of a miserable goalless draw away from home. A bit of attacking quality from Aaronson might prevent that.
AFPTyler Adams to return?
How frustrating football must be for Adams. When fit, he is arguably the best midfielder at the USMNT's disposal – a vital all-round presence who can plug holes pretty much anywhere. But staying on the pitch has been a massive issue. And just when it seemed that he was hitting his stride under manager Andoni Iraola, another knock has pushed him back.
It's unclear how bad the muscle injury is that ruled him out of Bournemouth's clash with Fulham last weekend. Regardless, certainly missed him, and were hit in the kind of transition situations that he might usually snuff out from center midfield. Iraola noted that "it wasn't something big" that kept Adams off the pitch.
But at this time of year, with the games coming thick and fast, players need to be handled with care. It will be interesting to see if Adams is fit enough to start on Saturday. Bournemouth need him more than you might think.
Getty ImagesGianluca Busio and keeping Venezia alive
Venezia, it turns out, are more than just cool kits. The Serie A club have bounced up and down between the top two divisions of Italian football in recent years, and once again, face another battle to stay up. They're a maddeningly inconsistent side, always competitive, but simply far too leaky at the back (their 31 goals against won't cut it in Serie A).
Gianluca Busio, a midfielder on the fringes of the national team, isn't really responsible for that. He plays a more attacking role in this side, breaking the lines and alleviating pressure. But he also does his fair share of defensive work and will have to provide again Saturday when Venezia face Empoli at home. They are currently in 18th and need every point they can get. A gusty home showing against a mid-table side could be key.
