Fulham defeated Leeds United 2-0 in the FA Cup on Tuesday to advance to the last eight of the tournament. The match saw five different United States men’s national team players involved. Here’s how they performed.
USMNT rankings for Fulham vs. Leeds United
Antonee Robinson and Tim Ream started in defense for Fulham while Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie lined up in the Leeds midfield. Brenden Aaronson came on as a substitute in the 74th minute.
Tim Ream — 9/10
Enough can’t be said about Fulham’s captain. A tradition has started at Craven Cottage where the home crowd all yell out “REAAAMMMMM” whenever the American does something positive. Those in attendance on Tuesday must’ve yelled out his name at least 10 times.
Ream was an immovable object in that defense who was continually blocking crosses and shutting down Leeds United’s attacks. His best moments came in the final 20 minutes when the pressure was building.
Ream had THREE goal line clearances to keep the clean sheet intact. McKennie and Aaronson were teeing up from six yards out, but Ream wouldn’t let his fellow Americans through.
When Ream wasn’t saving Fulham in defense, he was a cool head who showed his accurate distribution skills and kept things calm.
USMNT international Tim Ream with Fulham today.
☑️ 90 min
⚽️ 3 cleared off line
88% passing
8/12 accurate long balls
100% tackles won
8 ball recoveries
8 clearances
✅ 8.3 fotmob ratingMasterclass game as Fulham advance in the FA Cup pic.twitter.com/bn3P6jXOSb
— Takes (@USMNTTAKES) February 28, 2023
Antonee Robinson — 7/10
Robinson put in a solid shift for Fulham. He offered dangerous runs forward that tested the Leeds defense. Some of his best work in the game came on defense as he won a plethora of duels.
Robinson and Ream have a great partnership on Fulham’s left side and proved again that Fulhamerica is no joke.
USMNT international Antonee Robinson for Fulham today
☑️ 90 min
2/3 successful dribbles
7 final 3rd passes
4 accurate long balls
12 ball recoveries
3 interceptions
8 duels won
✅ 7.8 fotmob ratingSolid performance as Fulham advance in the FA Cup pic.twitter.com/3aPh9hA2b9
— Takes (@USMNTTAKES) February 28, 2023
Tyler Adams — 5/10
This was Adams’ worst game he’s played for Leeds United. The USMNT midfielder has been the club’s best player all season, however this is one game he’ll want to forget.
It was a giveaway from Adams that led to Fulham’s first goal in the 21st minute.
What a goal for Palhinha after a Tyler Adams giveaway pic.twitter.com/6Lvz9qCsP8
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 28, 2023
Perhaps his biggest woes came when Leeds needed offensive production. His passing was incredibly sloppy with numerous giveaways. Then the cherry on top of his night was in the 86th minute when he took a shot. We’re not joking when we say this might be his first shot of the season.
Adams isn’t known for his finishing abilities and it’s clear to see why. After a clever backheel pass from McKennie, Adams had an open look at goal from the top of the box. Adams attempted a shot which he pulled about eight yards wide of goal.
Not a good night for the captain of the USMNT.
Fair to say, Tyler Adams is having his worst game in a Leeds shirt. But he’s been superb all season. It’s just a one-off.#lufc #mot #alaw ⚪️
— leedsunited_news (@leeds_utd_news) February 28, 2023
Weston McKennie — 5/10
McKennie looked decent on the defensive side of matters, however he was like Adams in that his passing was off.
Leeds had a great look in the eighth minute when McKennie was able to get past a pair of Fulham players near the top of the box. It looked like he had space to take a shot, but instead he chose to try a pass to Crysencio Summerville. He got the weight of the pass all wrong, and the ball harmlessly rolled to the grateful arms of Marek Rodák.
Another poor moment from the American midfielder came early in the second half when it looked like he just gave up on a Leeds attack. In the 48th minute McKennie did well to win the ball off Robinson and spring a counter attack.
For some reason McKennie just jogged along instead of making it a 3-on-2 for Leeds. The attack ended with Rodak making a save the trickled right into the path of where McKennie would've been had he made a run down the right.
In the 79th minute McKennie nearly had his first goal in a Leeds shirt, however Ream denied him on the line. So close for McKennie.
Brenden Aaronson — N/A
Aaronson brought a spark to the game after coming off the bench, but it felt like the same old story. Aaronson has had a sort of rinse and repeat performance in games where he has some nice dribbles and looks like he might impact the game but ultimately can’t make a big enough difference.
His moment came in the 78th minute when he was completely unmarked at the top of the penalty area and attempted a volley. His shot skewed harmlessly wide, and his hands went to his head knowing that was his big chance.
