Donovan is quite the counter-jinx to getting American players back into their best form.
U.S. men’s national team legend, Landon Donovan, made headlines in the last week after making bold comments on what he thinks Giovanni Reyna’s future move should be, suggesting the 22-year-old look for a transfer to MLS amidst continuous injuries and lack of playing time for Borussia Dortmund.
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
Christian Pulisic (AC Milan)
Landon Donovan, one of the most iconic figures in U.S. soccer history, has shared his thoughts on the current situation of U.S. men's national team star Gio Reyna and why a move to Major League Soccer might be the right next step for the Borussia Dortmund player.
BERLIN — Former Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp defended his decision to join Red Bull as global head of soccer from next year following criticism from fans in Germany, saying the project was 'outstanding' for him.
Klopp, who ended a successful nine-year stint at Liverpool last season, also coached Mainz 05 and Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga, with many of those clubs' fans angered by his decision to join Red Bull.
The U.S. men’s national team has yet another young American moving up the ranks in the Bundesliga.
Who is Cole Campbell, young American playing for Borussia Dortmund?
18-year-old American prospect, Cole Campbell, made his highly-anticipated professional debut for Borussia Dortmund. The USYNT forward came in as a substitute in the closing minutes of their 2-1 away loss against Augsburg.
BARCELONA — Barcelona captain Raphinha scored a hat-trick to lead them to a commanding 4-1 home victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday, ending a near decade-long winless run against the German powerhouse.
After six consecutive losses in which they were outscored 22 goals to four by Bayern, including a humiliating 8-2 defeat in the Champions League quarter-finals four years ago, Barcelona got their revenge with a great attacking performance led by their Brazilian captain.
Barcelona vs Bayern highlights
MADRID — Real Madrid fought back from two goals down as Vinicius Jr grabbed a hat-trick in a thrilling 5-2 win over visitors Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday.
In a rematch of last-season's final, Dortmund lit up the game with a two-goal blitz around the half-hour mark from Donyell Malen and Jamie Gittens to silence the Bernabeu crowd.
However, the champions were livelier after the break and broke Dortmund's resistance with Antonio Rüdiger's header on the hour before Vinicius equalized with a close-range strike.
BERLIN — German coach Jürgen Klopp has been appointed head of global soccer for Red Bull, owners of several clubs including RB Leipzig and New York Red Bulls, the company said on Wednesday, in his first job since leaving Liverpool earlier this year.
Klopp, who ended his successful nine-year stint with Liverpool at the end of last season, will be starting on January 1, 2025.
Jürgen Klopp Red Bull job
Gio Reyna is expected to miss another month and-a-half with a groin injury after suffering a setback, announced Borussia Dortmund manager Nuri Sahin.
The United States men’s national team midfielder initially suffered the injury during the USMNT’s September window and has been out for club and country since.
️ Nuri Şahin:
Borussia Dortmund took down two opponents on Tuesday during the Champions League as the players on the field destroyed Celtic 7-1 and the fans in the stands blasted UEFA with a strong message.
Prior to the game Dortmund fans made their voices heard with a massive tifo and banner denouncing the new Champions League format being used this season.
UEFA expanded the competition from 32 teams to 36 and got rid of the six-game group stage, replacing it with a league table. Each club will now play eight games in the initial phase.