USMNT REWIND: Jordan Pefok and Brenden Aaronson on Target for Their Clubs This Past Week

With U.S. Men’s National Team head coach set to announce his October World Cup Qualifying roster next week, the unofficial theme for three U.S. Men's National Team players at the weekend was “Better Late Than Never”.

 

They all made impacts late in their respective club matches.

 

Here's how things transpired:

 

On Sunday, Brenden Aaronson scored his first goal of the Austrian Bundesliga season four minutes into stoppage time to give Red Bull Salzburg some breathing room in a a 2-0 victory over Rapid Vienna. With the visitors trying for a tying goal off a corner kick, Salzburg quickly cleared it. Noah Okafor bolted down the right flank against two players with Aaronson trailing. Just as he reached the end line, Okafor crossed to an unmarked Aaronson, who tapped it home.

 

Brenden Aaronson gets his first goal in Austrian Bundesliga this season as he and Noah Okafor use their speed to turn a Rapid corner kick into a 94th minute RB Salzburg goal | https://t.co/CFX3jIbbIQ pic.twitter.com/Ja5f9Gnzjb

— FTF (@ForTheFansHQ) September 19, 2021

 

Aaronson played the full 90 minutes on Sunday as well as in Salzburg’s 1-1 draw at Sevilla to open Champions League play at midweek.

 

Also on Sunday, Nicholas Gioacchini made the most of his short playing time. Only three minutes after coming on, the Montpellier forward set up the equalizing goal in the 87th minute of a 1-1 draw at Troyes in French Ligue 1. Gioacchini took the ball on the left and swung a cross to the top of the box where Teji Savinger took a touch before slotting home the late equalizer.

 

A very nice assist from #USMNT attacker Nichols Gioacchini to equalize for Montpellier late
(Via @ESbeINSPORTS) pic.twitter.com/KJMvvR8T6b

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) September 19, 2021

 

Gioacchini has two substitute appearances for Montpellier after joining the Ligue 1 side on loan late last month.

 

On Tuesday, Sept. 14, Jordan Pefok performed his heroics with some 40 seconds remaining in stoppage time of Young Boys' 2-1 upset over Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League. Pefok, a halftime substitute, latched onto a giveaway, raced toward the goal and fired a shot from the penalty spot for the game-winner.

 

USMNT's Jordan Pefok scores the winner for Young Boys in stoppage time! 💥

(via @CBSSportsGolazo)pic.twitter.com/GkFdyqExny

— B/R Football (@brfootball) September 14, 2021

 

Coming in the fifth minute of second half stoppage time, the goal was the latest scored by a U.S. international in the Champions League and also the first by a USMNT player against Manchester United in Europe’s top club competition.

 

 

BUSIO ASSIST

 

Gianluca Busio continued to grow into his role with Venezia, registering his first assist for the Serie A side in their 2-1 defeat to Spezia on Sunday. Trailing 1-0 just before the hour mark, the 19-year-old swung in a picture-perfect free kick from the right, to find Pietro Ceccaroni who headed his effort into the lower right corner.

 

Gianluca Busio ➡️ Pietro Ceccaroni 💥 pic.twitter.com/g82Q1wGNep

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 19, 2021

Busio picked up a yellow card before departing in the 76^th minute and Venezia gave up a stoppage time goal to fall 2-1 to Spezia.

 

BACK IN MLS

 

Gyasi Zardes scored in the 58th minute to give Columbus Crew a 1-0 lead over the host New England Revolution, which rallied for the equalizer in a 1-1 draw on Saturday night. Zardes registered his fifth goal of the season, heading home past USMNT teammate Matt Turner from 12 yards out.

 

.@GYASINHO WITH THE CLUTCH HEADER!#Crew96 pic.twitter.com/WEiqYQgvqF

— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) September 19, 2021

 

 

Jesús Ferreira and Ricardo Pepi continued to connect for FC Dallas. On Tuesday, Pepi did well to navigate between two defenders before slotting Ferreira through on goal, where he beat USMNT ‘keeper Sean Johnson in the 63^rd minute to make things 2-2 in an eventual 3-3 draw.

 

The touch, turn and pass from Ricardo Pepi are sensational here, great run and finish from Jesus Ferreira too 🇺🇲 #DTID

Wonderful combination from the two #USMNT youngsters. 2-2 v #NYCFC nowpic.twitter.com/bOXvom7Uhp

— Chris Smith ⚽✍️ (@CJSmith91) September 15, 2021

 

 

Ferreira also added an assist on Jader Obrian’s 86^th minute goal in FC Dallas’ 3-2 defeat to Houston Dynamo on Saturday night.

 

George Bello, better known for his defending than his attacking abilities, tallied an insurance goal for Atlanta United in its 3-1 win against D.C. United on Sunday. Atlanta cleared a corner kick that was played up the right side to Marcelino Moreno. He took on three midfielders before squaring the ball to Bello, who knocked home the goal for his first of the season.

 

George Bello gets the goal but, goodness, that solo run from Marcelino Moreno! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/t1GAq0znnt

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 18, 2021

 

 

 

FULL RUNDOWN

 

-- Kellyn Acosta (Colorado Rapids; MLS) - 90 minutes in 1-1 draw vs. Vancouver Whitecaps (Sept. 19); 15 minutes as a substitute in 2-2 draw at Portland Timbers (Sept. 15)

 

-- Tyler Adams (RB Leipzig; German Bundesliga) – 5 minutes as a substitute in 1-1 draw at FC Cologne (Sept. 18); 90 minutes in 6-3 loss at Manchester City in UCL (Sept. 15)

 

-- Brenden Aaronson (Red Bull Salzburg; Austria Bundesliga) - 90 minutes and a GOAL in 2-0 win vs. Rapid Vienna (Sept. 19); 90 minutes in 1-1 draw at Sevilla in UCL (Sept. 14)

 

 

-- Paul Arriola (D.C. United; MLS) - 71 minutes in 3-2 loss at Atlanta United (Sept. 18); 90 minutes in 3-0 win vs. Chicago Fire (Sept. 15)

 

-- George Bello (Atlanta United; MLS) - 90 minutes and a GOAL in 3-2 win vs. D.C. United (Sept. 19); 24 minutes as a substitute in 4-0 win vs. FC Cincinnati (Sept. 15)

 

-- Tyler Boyd (Rizespor; Turkish Super Lig) - 90 minutes and an ASSIST in 3-1 loss at Adana Demirspor (Sept. 18)

 

-- John Brooks (Wolfsburg; Bundesliga) - In 18, DNP in 1-1 draw vs. Eintracht Frankfurt (Sept. 19); 62 minutes and a RED CARD in 0-0 draw at Lille in UCL (Sept. 14)

  

-- Gianluca Busio (Venezia; Italy Serie A) - 76 minutes, ASSIST in 2-1 loss at Spezia (Sept. 19)

 

 -- Reggie Cannon (Boavista; Portuguese Primeira) – At Benfica (Monday, 2 p.m.)

 

-- Christian Cappis (Brondby; Danish Superliga) - 13 minutes as a substitute in 1-0 loss at Sonderjyske (Sept. 19); 21 minutes as a substitute in 0-0 draw vs. Sparta Prague in Europa League (Sept. 16)

 

-- Johnny Cardoso (Internacional; Brazilian Serie A) – 1 minute as a substitute in 1-0 win vs. Fortaleza (Sept. 19); 27 minutes as a substitute in 1-0 win at Sport Recife (Sept. 19)

 

-- Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic; Scottish Premiership) - 90 minutes in 1-0 loss at Livingston (Sept. 19); 90 minutes in 4-3 loss at Real Betis in Europa League (Sept. 16)

 

-- Cade Cowell (San Jose Earthquakes; MLS) - 45 minutes as a substitute in 4-3 win at Austin FC (Sept. 18); 27 minutes as a substitute in 4-3 loss vs. Real Salt Lake (Sept. 15)

 

-- Konrad de la Fuente (Marseille; French Ligue 1) - 59 minutes in a 2-0 win vs. Rennes (Sept. 19); 34 minutes as a substitute in 1-1 draw at Lokomotiv Moscow in Europa League (Sept. 16)

 

-- Luca de la Torre (Heracles; Dutch Eerste Divisie); 62 minutes in 3-2 win at AZ Alkmaar (Sept. 19)

 

-- Sergiño Dest (Barcelona; Spain La Liga) - vs. Granada (Monday, 3 p.m.); In 18, DNP in 3-0 loss vs. Bayern Munich in UCL (Sept. 14)

 

-- Daryl Dike (Orlando City SC; MLS) - 23 minutes in 3-1 loss at Philadelphia Union (Sept. 19); 71 minutes in 4-2 loss vs. Montreal CF (Sept. 15)

 

-- Nicholas Gioacchini (Montpellier; French Ligue 1) – 6 minutes as a substitute and an ASSIST in 1-1 draw win at Troyes (Sept. 19)

 

-- Julian Green (Greuther Fürth; German Bundesliga) – In 18, DNP in 2-1 loss at Hertha Berlin (Sept. 17)

 

-- Brad Guzan (Atlanta United) - 90 minutes in 3-2 win vs. D.C. United (Sept. 19); 90 minutes and a SHUTOUT in 4-0 win vs. FC Cincinnati (Sept. 15)

 

-- Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas; MLS) – 90 minutes and an ASSIST in 3-2 loss at Houston Dynamo (Sept. 18);  90 minutes and a GOAL in 3-3 draw at New York City FC (Sept. 14)

 

-- Ethan Horvath (Nottingham Forest; Premier League) - In 18, DNP in 2-0 win at Huddersfield Town (Sept. 18); 90 minutes in 2-0 loss vs. Middlesbrough (Sept. 15)

 

-- Matthew Hoppe (Mallorca; Spanish Primera) - 30 minutes as a substitute in 0-0 draw vs. Villarreal (Sept. 19)

 

-- Sean Johnson (New York City FC; MLS) - 90 minutes in 2-1 win at FC Cincinnati (Sept. 18); 90 minutes in 3-3 draw vs. FC Dallas (Sept. 14)

 

-- Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy; MLS) - 90 minutes in 3-0 loss at Minnesota United (Sept. 18); 27 minutes as a substitute in 1-1 draw vs. Houston Dynamo (Sept. 15)

 

-- Matt Miazga (Alaves; Spanish Primera) - 90 minutes in 2-0 loss at Osasuna (Sept. 18)

 

-- Weston McKennie (Juventus; Italian Serie A) – In 18, DNP in 1-1 draw vs. AC Milan (Sept. 19); 22 minutes as a substitute in 3-0 win vs. Malmö in UCL (Sept. 14)

 

-- Mark McKenzie (Genk; Belgian Pro League) - 90 minutes in 2-1 win at Sint-Truiden (Sept. 19); 3 minutes as a substitute in 1-0 win at Rapid Vienna in Europa League (Sept. 16)

 

-- Shaq Moore (Tenerife; Spain Sequenda Division) - 45 minutes as a substitute in 2-1 loss vs. Mirandes (Sept. 19)

 

-- Yunus Musah (Valencia; Spain La Liga) - 75 minutes as a substitute in 2-1 loss at Real Madrid (Sept. 19)

 

-- Owen Otasowie (Club Brugge; Belgian Pro League) - In 18, DNP in 1-0 win at Sporting Charleroi (Sept. 18)

 

-- Erik Palmer-Brown (Troyes; French Ligue 1) - Not in 18, in 1-1 draw vs. Montpellier (Sept. 19)

 

-- Ricardo Pepi (FC Dallas; MLS) - 90 minutes in 3-2 loss at Houston Dynamo (Sept. 18); 90 minutes, ASSIST in 3-3 draw at New York City FC (Sept. 14)

 

-- Jordan Pefok (Young Boys; Swiss Super League) - Not in 18, DNP in 7-1 win at Iliria in Swiss Cup (Sept. 19); 45 minutes as a substitute and a GOAL in 2-1 win vs. Manchester United in UCL (Sept. 14)

 

-- Tim Ream (Fulham; English Premier League) - 90 minutes in 2-1 loss vs. Reading (Sept. 18); 90 minutes in in 4-1 win at Birmingham City (Sept. 15)

 

-- Bryan Reynolds (AS Roma, Italy Serie A) - Not in 18, DNP in 3-2 loss at Verona (Sept. 19); In 18, DNP in 5-1 win vs. CSKA Sofia in Europa League (Sept. 16)

 

-- Chris Richards (Hoffenheim; German Bundesliga) - 90 minutes in 0-0 draw at Arminia Bielefeld (Sept. 18)

 

-- Antonee Robinson (Fulham; English Championship) - 90 minutes in 2-1 loss vs. Reading (Sept. 18); In 18, DNP in 4-1 win at Birmingham City (Sept. 15)

 

-- Miles Robinson (Atlanta United; MLS) - Not in 18, DNP in 3-2 win vs. D.C. United (Sept. 19); 90 minutes in 4-0 win vs. FC Cincinnati (Sept. 15)

 

-- Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders FC; MLS) - 45 minutes in 1-0 loss at Real Salt Lake (Sept. 18); 89 minutes in 1-0 win vs. Santos Laguna in CCL (Sept. 14)

 

-- James Sands (New York City FC; MLS) - 90 minutes in 2-1 win at FC Cincinnati (Sept. 18); 69 minutes in 3-3 draw vs. FC Dallas (Sept. 14)

 

-- Josh Sargent (Norwich City; English Premier League) – 70 minutes in 3-1 loss vs. Watford (Sept. 18)

 

-- Joe Scally (Borussia Monchengladbach (Bundesliga) - 90 minutes in 1-0 loss win at Augsburg (Sept. 18)

 

-- Tanner Tessmann (Venezia; Italy Serie A) - In 18, DNP in 2-1 loss at Spezia (Sept. 19)

 

-- Matt Turner (New England Revolution; MLS) - 90 minutes in 1-1 draw vs. Columbus Crew (Sept. 18)

 

-- Tim Weah (Lille; French Ligue 1) - 28 minutes in 1-0 loss at Lens (Sept. 18); Not in 18, DNP in 0-0 draw vs. Wolfsburg in UCL (Sept. 14)

 

-- DeAndre Yedlin (Galatasaray; Turkish Super Lig) - 73 minutes in 1-0 loss vs. Alanyaspor (Sept. 19); 90 minutes in 1-0 win vs. Lazio in Europa League (Sept. 16)

 

-- Jackson Yueill (San Jose Earthquakes; MLS) - 90 minutes in 4-3 win at Austin FC (Sept. 18); 90 minutes in 4-3 loss vs. Real Salt Lake (Sept. 15)

 

-- Gyasi Zardes (Columbus Crew; MLS) - 90 minutes and a GOAL in 1-1 draw at New England Revolution (Sept. 18); 87 minutes in a 2-1 win vs. New York Red Bulls (Sept. 14)

 

-- Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC; MLS) - 90 minutes in 2-1 loss at Toronto FC (Sept. 18)