The ability to choose is often taken for granted in soccer. With the increased prominence of dual nationals in recent years, fans are becoming used to seeing players pick which nationality they want to represent, like Yunus Musah and Folarin Balogun. What’s less common, however, is a player who, before turning 19, not only qualifies for four national teams but has already represented three of them.
Luton Town are headed to the Premier League for the first time in the club’s history after the team, along with U.S. goalkeeper Ethan Horvath, defeated Coventry City 1-1 (6-5 on penalties) in the EFL Championship Play-offs final on Saturday.
Luton have done the unthinkable and have been promoted from Non-League football (outside the top four tiers) to the Premier League. Luton last played in the first division of England back in 1992 before it was rebranded as the Premier League.
Christian Pulisic got his first meaningful minutes in the Premier League since April 15 on Thursday during Chelsea’s 4-1 defeat to Manchester United. Other than Pulisic falling on David de Gea there wasn’t too much to report from the American.
Pulisic was brought on as a substitute in the 64th minute for noted Instagram bully and expert at missing chances Mykhailo Mudryk.
RB Leipzig shocked Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on Saturday with a 3-1 victory on the second-to-last matchday of the season. This opens the door for Borussia Dortmund who defeated Augsburg on Sunday and sit two points ahead of Bayern.
Dortmund are top of the Bundesliga table entering the final matchday meaning that American forward Gio Reyna is 90 minutes away from winning the league.
This begs the question, has an American won the Bundesliga before?
LONDON — West Ham United forward Jarrod Bowen set up one goal and scored another to inspire his side to a 3-1 Premier League victory at the London Stadium on Sunday and deepen the relegation crisis at Leeds United.
Leeds remain in the relegation zone with 31 points from 37 games, two points behind 17th-placed Everton with the home visit of Tottenham Hotspur on the final day of the season next Sunday. Everton welcome Bournemouth to Goodison Park.
John Brooks was one of several surprise inclusions on the 60-man United States men’s national team preliminary roster for the Concacaf Nations League. There could be a chance for a John Brooks USMNT reunion.
The Concacaf Nations League resumes in June with the United States vs. Mexico and Canada vs. Panama as the semifinals. The tournament requires teams to release preliminary rosters with up to 60 players and those were unveiled on Friday.
Weston McKennie could be playing in the Premier League next season even if Leeds United end up getting relegated. That’s because Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi is keen on his club signing the American midfielder this summer according to Italian outlet Calciomercato.
When McKennie joined Leeds on loan in January many U.S. fans thought the move was going to be a smashing success. Fans hoped that Tyler Adams and McKennie were going to dominate the midfield for Leeds and form an unstoppable duo.
USWNT midfielder Catarina Macario is set to sign with FA Women’s Super League side Chelsea this summer per The Athletic. Her contract with Lyon expires at the end of the season.
The 23-year-old standout missed all the 2022-23 season with an ACL injury to her left knee that she suffered in June 2022 during Lyon's final league game of the season. She’s nearing a return to action and will be hoping to recover in time for a shot to make USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski’s 2023 Women’s World Cup roster.
The United States men’s national team made a massive announcement on Monday that 21-year-old Stade Reims striker Folarin Balogun will make a one-time nationality switch to represent the U.S. instead of England.
FIFA approved the switch meaning Balogun could be playing for the Stars and Stripes as soon as the Concacaf Nations League semifinal vs. Mexico in June. Balogun has been electric in France’s Ligue 1 this season with 19 goals in 34 games (fifth best in the league).
LEEDS — Defender Rasmus Kristensen scored a late equalizer to give Leeds United a share of the points in a thrilling Premier League 2-2 draw with Newcastle United that saw Leeds miss one spot kick, concede two more and have a man sent off in stoppage time.
Leeds are still in the relegation zone but move up one spot to 18th on 31 points, one point behind Everton in 17th, while Newcastle remain third in the table on 66 points, three ahead of Manchester United and four ahead of Liverpool.