USMNT Rewind: McKennie Provides Assist for Juventus, Reyna Scores Stunner for Dortmund

Weston McKennie did not score for the third consecutive match, but the U.S. men's national team midfielder used some heady play to help Juventus register a 3-1 road victory at Genoa on Sunday.

While on the right flank, McKennie flicked a pass from right back Matthijs Ligt with his head to Paulo Dybala. Dybala worked his way into the box to tally a nicely placed goal from 12 yards past goalkeeper Mattia Perin to give Juve a 1-0 lead in the 57^th minute.

Our guy @WMckennie with the flick-on header leading to Paulo Dybala's goal. His second assist of the season.

The 🇺🇸 midfielder has been directly involved in a goal in each of the last three matches for @juventusfcen.

(@ESPNFC)pic.twitter.com/tAImTIJdIJ

— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) December 13, 2020

Though Genoa equalized, Cristiano Ronaldo converted two penalty kicks in the 78^th and 89 minutes giving him 10 goals this Serie A season and 31 goals this calendar year across all competitions.

Over a nine-day span, McKennie has produced in important moments for the defending Serie A champions.

On Dec. 5, the 22-year-old midfielder came off the bench to register the equalizer in a 2-1 derby victory over Torino. On Tuesday, Dec. 8, he scored his first UEFA Champions League goal for Juve - a golazo - in a 3-0 victory against Barcelona. Juventus (23 points) is in fourth place and four points back of leaders AC Milan (27 points).

In other USMNT performances:

Gio Reyna wound up as the shining light for Borussia Dortmund in its confounding 5-1 defeat to Stuttgart on Saturday. He arguably was the best Dortmund player and scored his side's lone goal in the Bundesliga encounter.

Just majestic from Gio Reyna. 🌟🇺🇸

The 18-year-old scores his third career @Bundesliga_EN goal and second in as many league matches to pull @BlackYellow level with Stuttgart.

(@ESPNFC)pic.twitter.com/XKfi904f4G

— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) December 12, 2020

After the first of two Silas Wamangituka goals had given Stuttgart the lead in the 26th minute, Reyna scored against the run of play. The 18-year-old latched onto a picture-perfect ball from Raphaël Guerreiro.  Reyna deftly touched it with his left foot and then in stride with his right, chipped ‘keeper Gregor Kobel from 12 yards.

It appeared Reyna had scored a second goal off an 18-yard effort in the 87th minute, but a teammate was ruled offside

In wake of Dortmund's underachieving performance, head coach Lucien Favre was fired on Sunday. Edin Terzic was named interim coach.

Defender Antonee Robinson earned Man of the Match honors for Fulham as the club played to a 1-1 home draw with reigning Premier League Champions Liverpool on Sunday. Robinson was active down the left throughout the 90 minutes and finished the match with two interceptions, four tackles and four clearances.

A total shut-out down our left. ⛔️@Antonee_Jedi loves a good shift. 🌪#FULLIV pic.twitter.com/vxhguzF6le

— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) December 14, 2020

In the MLS Cup, Gyasi Zardes earned his second MLS Cup medal as Columbus Crew SC downed defending champion Seattle Sounders FC 3-0 at MAPFRE STadium on Saturday night. Zardes, a member of the LA Galaxy's 2014 championship side, logged 90 minutes as did Seattle's Jordan Morris and Cristian Roldan.

#allglorytoGod
2020 MLS CUP Champions 🏆
Thank you to the whole Columbus Crew Organization. Teammates, Coaches, Physical staff, Owners etc..., Family, Friends, Fans, my Neighbors!!! I appreciate all of your support this year! Everyone has made an impact, the is OUR Cup! #Legacy pic.twitter.com/dER8sUkBzl

— Gyasi Zardes (@gyasinho) December 14, 2020

Midfielder Tyler Adams entered the match at halftime to help RB Leipzig record a 2-0 win against USMNT teammate and visiting Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga. Sargent played the full game.

Right back Sergiño Dest played the full 90 minutes in Barcelona's 1-0 home win against Levante in Spain's La Liga on Sunday. It looked like USMNT teammate and forward Konrad de la Fuente was about to make his league debut, but Barca head coach Ronald Koeman apparently changed his mind after Lionel Messi scored in the 76th minute.

Christian Pulisic did not suit up for Chelsea in its 1-0 setback at Everton in the English Premier League as manager Frank Lampard decided to rest the 22-year-old midfielder after feeling discomfort in his hamstring. Lampard was hopeful that Pulisic could play a part in the club’s visit to Wolves on Tuesday.

For the ninth consecutive time since joining the team on loan from Chelsea, Matt Miazga went the full 90 minutes in Anderlecht's 1-0 home victory over league leaders Genk in the Belgian First Division.

Julian Green, who played 68 minutes, tallied the opening goal for Greuther Fürth on the half hour in its 3-0 win over Sandhausen in the German Second Bundesliga.

In action earlier in the week:

In the UEFA Europa League on Thursday, forward Tim Weah made his first start for Lille since August 2019 and tallied the equalizing goal in the 71st minute, but the French side could not hold on and suffered a 3-2 loss at his former club, Celtic. Weah was replaced in the 78th minute. The 20-year-old winger was also entered Sunday’s 2-1 home win against Bordeaux in the 78^th minute.

Tim Weah scores his first goal for Lille. The @USMNT forward scores against his former team. pic.twitter.com/TznTIU3jQ0

— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) December 10, 2020

Midfielder Richy Ledezma will be sidelined for eight-to-nine months after suffering a torn ACL in his right knee during PSV’s 4-0 home win over Omonia Nicosia in the Europa League on Thursday. Ledezma was taken off on a stretcher in the 17^th minute. 

As a second-half substitute in his international debut during the USMNT’s 6-2 friendly victory Panama on Nov. 16, Ledezma assisted on two goals in an eight-minute span by Sebastian Soto.

 

ABROAD

• Tyler Adams (RB Leipzig; German Bundesliga) – 45 minutes as a substitute in 2-0 win vs. Werder Bremen (Dec. 12); 15 minutes as a substitute in a 3-2 win vs. Manchester United in UCL (Dec. 8)

• John Brooks (Wolfsburg; German Bundesliga) – 90 minutes in 2-1 win vs. Eintracht Frankfurt (Dec. 11)

• Reggie Cannon (Boavista; Portuguese Primeira) – 90 minutes in 2-1 loss at Estoril (Dec. 12)

• Johnny Cardoso (Internacional; Brazilian Serie A) – Not in 18, DNP in 2-1 win vs. Botafogo (Dec. 12); Not in 18, DNP in 0-0 draw (5-4 loss in PKs) at Boca Juniors in CONMEBOL Libertadores Cup (Dec. 10)

• Konrad de la Fuente (Barcelona; Spain La Liga/Segunda B) - In 18, DNP in 1-0 win vs. Levante (Dec. 13); In 18, DNP in 3-0 loss vs. Juventus in UCL (Dec. 8)

• Sergiño Dest (Barcelona; Spain La Liga) – 90 minutes in 1-0 win vs. Levante (Dec. 13); 90 minutes in 3-0 loss vs. Juventus in UCL (Dec. 8)

• Nicholas Gioacchini (Caen; French Ligue 2) – 90 minutes in 0-0 draw vs. Troyes (Dec. 12)

• Julian Green (Greuther Fürth; German Second Bundesliga) – 68 minutes and GOAL in 3-0 at Sandhausen (Dec. 11)

• Ethan Horvath (Club Brugge; Belgian Pro League) - In 18, DNP in 2-0 win at Antwerp (Dec. 13); In 18, DNP in 2-2 draw at Lazio in UCL (Dec. 8)

• Duane Holmes (Derby County; English Championship) – Not in 18, DNP in 0-0 draw vs. Stoke City (Dec. 12)

• Richy Ledezma (PSV; Eredivisie) - 17 minutes in 4-0 win over Omonia Nicosia in UEFA Europa League (Dec. 10)

• Ulysses Llanez (Heerenveen; Dutch Eredivisie) – In 18, DNP in 1-1 draw at Vitesse (Dec. 13)

• Weston McKennie (Juventus; Italian Serie A) – 90 minutes and an ASSIST in 3-1 win vs. Genoa (Dec. 13); 90 minutes and a GOAL in 3-0 win at Barcelona in UCL (Dec. 8)

• Matt Miazga (RSC Anderlecht; Belgian First Division A) - 90 minutes in a 1-0 win vs. Genk (Dec. 11)

• Alfredo Morales (Fortuna Düsseldorf; German Second Bundesliga) – 90 minutes in 2-1 loss at Karlsruher SC (Dec. 13)

• Yunus Musah (Valencia; Spain La Liga) - 60 minutes in 2-2 draw vs. Athletic Club (Dec. 12); 70 minutes in 0-0 draw at Eibar (Dec. 7)

• Owen Otasowie (Wolverhampton Wanderers; English Premier League) - In 18, DNP in a 1-0 loss vs. Aston Villa (Dec. 12)

• Erik Palmer-Brown (Austria Wien; Austria Bundesliga)- 90 minutes in 3-2 loss at Wolfsberger AC (Dec. 13)

• Christian Pulisic (Chelsea; English Premier League) – Injured, DNP in 1-0 loss at Everton (Dec. 12); In 18, DNP in 1-1 draw vs. Krasnodar in UCL (Dec. 8)

• Tim Ream (Fulham; English Premier League) – In 18, DNP in 1-1 draw vs. Liverpool (Dec. 13)

• Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund; German Bundesliga) – 90 minutes and a GOAL in 5-1 loss vs. Stuttgart (Dec. 12); 32 minutes as a substitute in 2-1 win at Zenit St. Petersburg in UCL ((Dec. 8)

• Chris Richards (Bayern Munich; German Bundesliga/German 3.Liga) – In 18, DNP in 1-1 draw at Union Berlin (Dec. 12); 21 minutes as a substitute in 2-0 win vs. Lokomotiv Moscow in UCL Dec. 9)

• Antonee Robinson (Fulham; English Premier League) – 90 minutes in 1-1 draw vs. Liverpool (Dec. 13)

• Josh Sargent (Werder Bremen; German Bundesliga) – 90 minutes in 2-0 loss at RB Leipzig (Dec. 12)

• Sebastian Soto (Telstar, Dutch Eerste Divisie) – Not in 18, DNP in 3-2 loss at Almere City (Dec. 11)

• Zack Steffen (Manchester City; English Premier League) – In 18, DNP in 0-0 draw at Manchester United (Dec. 12); 90 minutes in 3-0 win vs. Olympique Marseille in UCL (Dec. 9)

• Tim Weah (Lille; French Ligue 1) – 12 minutes as a substitute in 2-1 win ver. Bordeaux (Dec. 13); 78 minutes and a GOAL in 3-2 loss at Celtic in UEFA Europa League (Dec. 10)

• DeAndre Yedlin (Newcastle United; English Premier League) – 4 minutes as a substitute in 2-1 win vs. West Bromich Albion (Dec. 12)

 

MLS

• Chase Gasper (Minnesota United) - 90 minutes in 3-2 loss at Seattle Sounders FC (Dec. 7)

• Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC) - 90 minutes in 3-2 win vs. Minnesota United, (Dec. 7); 90  minutes in 3-0 loss at Columbus Cres SC (Dec. 12)

• Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders FC) - 90 minutes in 1-0 win vs. Minnesota United (Dec. 7); 90 minutes in 3-0 loss at Columbus Crew SC (Dec. 12)

• Gyasi Zardes (Columbus Crew SC) – 90 minutes in 3-0 win vs. Seattle Sounders FC (Dec. 12)