American Players Abroad

Italian giants Juventus released a statement in support of United States men’s national team star Weston McKennie after he was the victim of racial abuse from Lazio fans on Tuesday.

A video circulating online shows McKennie walking on the sideline after being substituted in the 89th minute. In the video fans can clearly be heard making monkey sounds and chants toward the American midfielder.

Weston McKennie racial abuse vs. Lazio

AS Monaco and United States men’s national team striker Folarin Balogun got himself on the scoresheet twice during his side’s 5-2 Ligue 1 victory vs. Metz on Saturday.

Balogun’s first goal was scored in bizarre fashion as Metz goalkeeper Alexandre Oukidja lived every keeper’s worst nightmare and got caught on the ball. Balogun, who came on a substitute in the 65th minute, did well to force the mistake and was rewarded with a goal.

They don’t come much easier than this.

The American midfielder had nothing short of a bittersweet start to her weekend.

Korbin Albert topped off her more-than-busy Thursday scoring an insane long-range goal in Paris Saint-Germain’s quarterfinal UEFA Women’s Champions League knockout tie.

The USWNT midfielder received the ball on the outskirts of the 18-yard box and hit an absolute bullet with her weak foot against BK Häcken to seal PSG’s qualification to the semi finals of the European tournament.

Korbin Albert goal for PSG in Women's Champions League vs. Häcken

Thursday night’s United States men’s national team 3-1 victory vs. Jamaica in the Concacaf Nations League semifinals was about as ugly as it gets. There are still some positives to be pulled for the game like the performance of Gio Reyna.

Were you watching Nottingham Forest??

Reyna is on loan from Borussia Dortmund to Forest until this summer and it’s been a nightmare move for the 21-year-old.

Gregg Berhalter didn't appreciate some people’s opinion on whether or not Gio Reyna should have been called up for the USMNT’s fixtures in the Concacaf Nations League. By people we mean Jesse Marsch.

The USMNT saw themselves struggle against Jamaica in the Nations League semifinals this Thursday, miraculously pushing the game into extra time with a last-second corner kick Hail Mary to avoid the embarrassing defeat. Seconds away from a disaster.

Chelsea and United States women’s national team forward Catarina Macario returned from an ACL injury this month and has already bagged two goals and an assist for her club.

Macario, who had been out injured since summer 2022, made her long-awaited Chelsea debut on March 3 in the FA Women’s Super League, scoring a late goal. She then found the back of the net again with the winner vs. Everton on March 10.

On Tuesday she provided her first assist for her new club as Chelsea defeated Ajax 3-0 in the Women’s Champions League.

The USMNT might just have another star on the way.

14-year-old American prodigy Cavan Sullivan to sign with Manchester City

According to reports from the world-renowned transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Manchester City have secured the signing of the highly sought-after 14-year-old attacker Cavan Sullivan. Despite fierce competition from clubs such as Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Borussia Dortmund, the Citizens emerged victorious in the race for the Philadelphia Union youth player’s signature. 

Christian Pulisic scored for a fourth game in-a-row with AC Milan as he found the back of the net against Verona in the Rossoneri’s 3-1 Serie A victory on Sunday.

This is becoming a weekly occurrence for us at The18 to cover a Pulisic goal. We absolutely love it. He now has 12 goals this season which breaks his record in one season of 11 set in 2019-20 with Chelsea.

Milan visited Verona, 15th in Serie A, and took care of business climbing to second in the league table with the win.

Brenden Aaronson had a stand-out performance in Union Berlin’s Bundesliga win over Werder Bremen this Saturday, making a statement to his surprise absence from the USMNT.

The American scored a wonderful goal, making this his second goal of the season and his second in the last five matches. One-two at the edge of the box and a bullet strike in the upper-90 to double the home side's lead. 

Brenden Aaronson goal vs. Werder Bremen