Americans Abroad: Pulisic shines in the Premier League restart, Reyna dubbed the ‘American Dream’

It was an exciting weekend for USMNT players such as Christian Pulisic and Gio Reyna, who contributed decisively to Chelsea’s and Borussia Dortmund’s wins

This weekend saw the return to action of the Premier League and marked one of the most exciting matchdays for young American  players abroad, with Giovanni Reyna getting his first start for Borussia Dortmund and Cristian Pulisic scoring the tying goal for Chelsea.

Without further ado, here’s what we saw this weekend from the talismans of the US Men’s program

Cristian Pulisic –  Despite not getting the start, Pulisic was an immediate difference-maker and dispelled all the ominous feelings surrounding his future at the club once the likes of Hakim Zyiech join the ranks, and the likes of Callum Hudson-Odoi returns to the roster to challenge for those winger positions in Frank Lampard’s 4-3-3.

Pulisic’s impact came fast and furious, first in the form of a tying goal, where the young Hershey Messi took advantage of his superior speed and instinct in front of the goal to burst through the Aston Villa defense and meet a far-corner cross for the goal. Considering this was Pulisic’s first game-action since early January, it was as good a return to action as he and the US Men’s National Team faithful could have hoped for from the USMNT’s brightest star.

Giovanni Reyna – The 17-yr old former NYCFC prodigy and current Borussia Dortmund wunderkind received his first starting nod. This particular fact is even more impressive considering that this was a game with second place on the line. Reyna’s contribution came in the form of a clever assist for Erling Haaland’s game-winning goal. The goal came at the end of a fantastic build-up culminating in Reyna’s deft touch at pace to set up Haaland for a mere formality of a finish. It was the kind of touch rarely seen from a 17-year old, especially at this level of play.

So impressed was Haaland with the young American’s service and overall performance that he dubbed  Reyna the “American Dream”. In his brief time so far with Dortmund, Reyna has displayed the kind of vision, mental acuity and confidence on the ball — without over-relying on the attributes traditionally related to the American game like speed and “athleticism” — qualities that are desperately needed in the midfield for the USMNT.

Tyler Adams – Adams came in as a substitute for RB Leipzig at halftime and despite not having the same impact on the game as Reyna was consistently involved in the run of play with a team-high three intercepted passes and completing 29 of 33 passes. Unfortunately the Bundesliga has only one matchday left, so playing time for Adams is coming to an end just as he was fully recovering from the various injuries that have nagged him all season.

Chris Richards – The FC Dallas product made his debut for Bayern Munich in the final minutes of their 3-1 win over Freiburg, a very impressive feat for the 20-year old Alabama native considering the very short list of Americans who donned the famous Bayern red and white. With Javi Martinez and Jerome Boateng turning 32 at the start of the upcoming season, you have to wonder (and hope) that Richards will be part of the new crop of talents to supplant Bayern’s ranks.

Weston McKennie – He continues to be one of the few bright spots for a Schalke team in complete free-fall. This time around their struggles came in the form of a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Wolfsburg. Despite his solid performances in midfield, there are concerns about McKennie’s natural position on the field. At the moment McKennie may stand out roaming around as a box-to-box midfielder for a dysfunctional Schalke side that is winless in the post-covid era, but you have to wonder where he would fit in on a better-oiled machine that would require more tactical discipline on the field from its midfield players. The fact that he’s at a club for which the summer break can’t come soon enough might not help his overall development.

John Brooks – On the opposite end of that playing field from McKennie, Brooks put in another solid shift in the center of  Wolfsburg’s back line. His aerial prowess and comfort level and distribution of the ball coming out of the back are things the USMNT desperately needs.