Europe

Welcome to this week’s edition of USMNT Abroad, where we bring you the latest updates on American soccer players making waves across Europe. 

From standout performances to key transfers, rumors and injury reports, The18 has got you covered with all the action involving U.S. men’s national team players in Europe’s top leagues. 

C’mon, you yanks!

USMNT Abroad this weekend: The latest on American players in Europe

Antonee Robinson (Fulham)

NOTTINGHAM — Fired-up Nottingham Forest thumped Brighton & Hove Albion 7-0 helped by a hat trick from striker Chris Wood in their Premier League clash at the City Ground on Saturday in an emphatic bounce back from last week's humbling 5-0 loss at Bournemouth.

Forest move to 47 points after 24 games to consolidate third spot as they chase Champions League qualification, while Brighton are ninth on 34. Forest are now level with second-placed Arsenal, who host Manchester City in fourth on Sunday.

Defending champions Real Madrid will renew their Champions League rivalry with 2023 winners Manchester City in a blockbuster knockout phase playoff tie after the two teams were pitted against each other in the draw held in Nyon on Friday.

Both Real and City failed to advance automatically to the last 16 as one of the top eight sides after they finished 11th and 22nd, respectively, in the new league-phase format.

Teams that finished ninth to 24th will compete in a two-legged playoff to advance to the last 16.

UCL playoff draw

A superb Gio Reyna backheel assist vs. Shakhtar Donetsk helped Borussia Dortmund secure a 3-1 victory in the Champions League and once against made USMNT fans wonder why he doesn’t get more time.

Reyna was once again on the bench for Dortmund as he’s only started three games across all competitions this season for the German giants. 

The 22-year-old American was brought on as a substitute in the 64th minute and produced a lovely piece of skill just 15 minutes later.

MANCHESTER — Manchester City kept their Champions League campaign alive by beating Belgian side Club Brugge 3-1 in a nervy must-win match on Wednesday thanks to goals from Mateo Kovacic and substitute Savinho, and a Brugge own goal.

The victory in their league-phase finale secured Pep Guardiola's men a spot in the two-legged playoff knockout round. They finished 22nd in the table, three places above elimination. They face either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid in the knockout stage.

El Tren just ran over Liverpool.

U.S. men's national team's Ricardo Pepi started for PSV Eindhoven in their final UEFA Champions League league phase bout against none other than tournament-leaders Liverpool, with the American striker coming up huge for the Dutch club with a crucial turnaround goal. 

The 22-year-old attacker found a perfect cross to first post, slightly deflecting the ball into the back of the net to make it 3-2 and seal the Eredivisie club's victory.

Ricardo Pepi goal vs. Liverpool

A Watford women’s referee stunned fans on Sunday with some of the worst decisions we’ve ever seen. Watford had two players sent off for hardly doing anything while the opposing side, Lewes LFC committed a red card offense but escaped with a yellow.

The incidents took place during a FA Women’s Premier Division game in the third tier.

Watford women’s referee makes shocking decisions

It couldn't get better than this, América fans.

Club América is reportedly planning to stage a highly anticipated friendly against Real Madrid at the newly renovated Estadio Azteca in October 2025, according to ESPN. The match, scheduled to coincide with the club’s 109th anniversary on October 12, would see Mexican fans’ return to the stadium for the first time in over 18 months since winning their 15th league title in May, 2024.

LONDON, Jan 26 (Reuters) - Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim defended his decision to again omit forward Marcus Rashford from his squad for Sunday's 1-0 win over Fulham, insisting he would rather put a goalkeeper coach on the bench than a player not giving their all.

Rashford has not featured for United since mid-December, after he admitted that he was ready for a new challenge in his career, with the England international not in the team's travelling party for Sunday's narrow Premier League victory.

Ronaldo has marked another milestone in his illustrious career by netting his 920th goal in a 3-1 win for Al Nassr against Al Fateh in the Saudi Pro League.

Watch: Cristiano Ronaldo 920th goal vs. Al Fateh

The Portuguese icon’s goal came in the 87th minute following a well-timed interception by the Al Nassr midfield in the opposition's half. Ronaldo was perfectly placed to latch onto a precise cross from Sadio Mané from the left flank, with the 39-year-old sealing the victory for his team.