This here is Week 3 of our keeping track of Americans abroad in these power rankings that aren't really power rankings, and I declare this edition a collector's issue. That's right, fire up the printer, make sure you've got the necessary ink levels and print this whole webpage out for posterity.
This was the week the USMNT made a strong claim to be retroactively awarded the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup after beating Chelsea 3-0 at Elland Road.
Americans Abroad Soccer Power Rankings
3 Guys Trending Way, Way Up
#1. Josh Sargent
For the second week running we have to include Sargent. After leading Norwich's line on Aug. 16 and scoring against Huddersfield, the 22-year-old scored both in the Canaries' 2-0 win over Millwall on Friday.
@joshsargent pic.twitter.com/XEofIOPaI8
— USMNT (@USMNT) August 19, 2022
They were playing "Born In The U.S.A." at Carrow Road after the full-time whistle.
Sarge is the pacemaker in our "Americans Abroad League Golden Boot Race," but it was a great weekend all around for U.S. No. 9s. Haji Wright scored two and created another in Antalyaspor's 5-2 win over Trabzonspor, and Jordan Pefok got his second of the Bundesliga season with Union Berlin.
Ice cold finish by Jordan Pefok ❄️ pic.twitter.com/owm61qwF5x
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 20, 2022
#2. Brenden Aaronson
"It goes to show people around the world that Americans can play football too."
Brenden Aaronson forces Mendy into a mistake and scores his first Premier League goal! Leeds take the lead over Chelsea. #LUFC
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 21, 2022
#3. Tyler Adams
The Terminator is second in the Premier League after three matches with 13 tackles. It feels like we've already won the World Cup and we can stop these rankings.
Major Leeds Soccer captures the three points.
2 Guys Playing Themselves Off The Plane
#1. Luca de la Torre
De la Torre entered Celta Vigo's match against Real Madrid in the 87th minute with his side trailing 4-1 and couldn't spark the miracle comeback. No, it was actually a great appearance from the midfielder — his substitution iced Eden Hazard's pity penalty.
Hazard misses the pen minutes after subbing on pic.twitter.com/TR7buxdvmq
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 20, 2022
Hopefully he makes his first start of the season Friday when Celta Vigo travels to Valentín Castellanos' Girona.
#2. Sergiño Dest
We had Dest in this spot last week, but I'll be honest, I still thought there was some small chance Xavi would reintegrate him with the squad. Then, on Saturday, Barça's boss shit all over the American international.
"Being honest, we wanted to sign Cesar Azpilicueta and we couldn't, so that's the situation," Xavi said. "But we do have players to provide cover there. Ronald Araújo did well there last weekend, Sergi Roberto can player there and Jules Koundé can as well in case of an emergency."
Asked if Dest was another option, Xavi said: "He knows what the situation is."
Barça couldn't actually register Koundé in time for Sunday's 4-1 win over Real Sociedad — which angered Xavi – and the finger is being pointed at Dest (who didn't even dress) for not finalizing a move away.
This has suddenly become a really bad situation for the 21-year-old, although there's still reported interest from Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund.
