Americans Abroad: Don’t forget about Erik Palmer-Brown

Welcome to Americans Abroad, the weekly segment that discusses the performances of USMNT players outside of the states, from South America to Europe.

Editorial — Along with the leagues in Germany going back to full form, numerous other countries have given their respective league the go-ahead to return to play.

Among the many leagues given the restart, the Danish Super League and Austrian Bundesliga gave Americans an opportunity to showcase their performances.

Here’s how they, along with the usual players in Germany, fared.

In the Spotlight

Tyler Adams (RB Leipzig; German Bundesliga)

Adams played the full 90 at CM in Leipzig’s 1-1 draw vs. Paderborn

A frustrating performance that culminated in a frustrating result for the Red Bulls. While Adams was quality in the center of the park, it was after Dayot Upamecano’s second yellow when things starting to unravel for the young American.

Forced to play as a full back for the second 45, a position he has only played once this season, Adams showed a lot of inexperience. While the 21-year-old wasn’t responsible for Paderborn’s late equalizer, he was exposed out of position numerous times by Chris Antwi-Adjei on the left side.

Adams still belongs in central midfield for Leipzig. Last weekend’s performance proved that for the wrong reasons.

Stats
Goals: 0
Assists: 0
Shots (On Target:) 0
Pass Accuracy: 74%
Chances Created: 0
Duals (Won:) 9 (7) – Most on the pitch
Interceptions: 0
Recoveries: 5
Match Rating: 6.8

Chris Richards (Bayern II; 3. Liga)

Richards played the full 90 at CB in Bayern II’s 3-2 win vs. Preussen Munster

Prior to the 2019-20 campaign, the main weakness surrounding Richards was his decision making and lack of experience as a leader of the backline.

Now? It has come to the point where Richards is a man amongst boys in the 3. Liga. 

https://twitter.com/USMNTvideos/status/1269010748035854336

While Bayern Munich appears keen to keep Richards and his defensive partner Lars Lukas Mai on the roster, expect Richards to soon demand either a spot on the first team or a move elsewhere.

Stats not available

Erik Palmer-Brown (Austria Wien; Austrian Bundesliga)

Palmer-Brown played the full 90 at CB in Wien’s 1-0 win vs. Admira
Palmer-Brown played 44′ as a sub at CB in Wien’s 1-1 draw vs. SKN St. Pölton

John Brooks and then the field. That’s the game plan for the USMNT once international play resumes. It has appeared recently that the main contenders for the last starting role are between Atlanta United’s Miles Robinson and wherever Chelsea decides to loan out Matt Miazga.

However as part of the fairness doctrine, I am required to ask: Have you considered voting third party?

🇺🇸 Erik Palmer-Brown (23) with a big outing for @FKAustriaWien ⤵️

✅ 90 min
🚫 Clean sheet
🚀 6 clearances
❌ 5 interceptions
⚔️ 3 tackles won
💪 5/5 ground duels won
✈️ 7 aerial duels won
🎯 10/11 long balls
🔁 88% pass completion

First win after 6 straight draws. Needed. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/PC6zwtXML5

— Football Wonderkids (@fbwonderkids) June 2, 2020

Currently contracted as a member of the Manchester City U-23’s, Palmer-Brown has quietly grown to become one of the most consistent centre-backs in the US talent pool.

A brawny defender with decent vision, Palmer-Brown went from fringe loanee to first on the lineup card for an Austria Wien side clawing to stay in the Austrian first tier.

Erik Palmer-Brown has made 15 appearances (all starts) for Austria Vienna this year.
The club's record with him is significantly better
5W,3L,7D – Record with EPB (2 L's were to runaway top 2 teams: LASK & Salzburg)
1W,4L,3D – Record without EPB

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) June 3, 2020

With a bottomless pit of quality Americans playing centre back at the moment, it can be very easy to let Palmer-Brown fall into the mix of defenders awaiting their call up. However, as it stands in Austria, Palmer-Brown is making the US remember his name

Stats (vs. Admira)

Goals: 0
Assists: 0
Shots (On Target:) 0
Pass Accuracy: 88% – Most on the pitch
Duals (Won:) 17 (12) – Most on the pitch
Interceptions: 5
Recoveries: 11
Match Rating: 7.8 – Man of the Match

Stats (vs. St. Pölton)

Goals: 0
Assists: 0
Shots (On Target:) 0
Pass Accuracy: 100% – Most on the pitch
Duals (Won:) 4 (2)
Interceptions: 0
Recoveries: 2
Match Rating: 6.0

Josh Sargent (Werder Bremen; German Bundesliga)

Sargent was subbed on in the 62’ at ST in Werder Bremen’s 3-0 loss vs. Frankfurt
Sargent played 76′ at ST in Werder Bremen’s 1-0 loss vs. Wolfsburg

After praising Sargent and the last few articles. I was given a harsh reminder of his current quality in the matches vs. Frankfurt and Wolfsburg.

Sargent, who has found the back of the net just once in his last 17 Bundesliga appearances, further confirms the critique of being just a way to win headers off of goal kicks and set pieces.

Maybe it’s more of a club problem than Sargent’s problem. After all, Werder Bremen was only able to score more than one goal once in their last 17 matches.

However, One thing is for certain, and it’s that Sargent remains part of the problem in Bremen. The 2. Bundesliga seems destined for the 20-year-old either with or without Die Werderaner.

Stats (vs. Frankfurt)
Goals: 0
Assists: 0
Shots (On Target:) 0
Pass Accuracy: 100%
Chances Created: 0
Duals (Won:) 5 (2)
Match Rating: 5.6

Stats (vs. Wolfsburg)
Goals: 0
Assists: 0
Shots (On Target:) 1 (0)
Pass Accuracy: 66%
Chances Created: 0
Duals (Won:) 14 (6)
Match Rating: 5.8

Kenny Saief (Lechia Gdansk; Polish Ekstraklasa)

Saief came on in the 75’ at LB in Gdank’s 2-2 draw vs. Gornik

Once upon a time, Saief was considered an exciting young prospect in a pool derived from creative wide midfielders. Unofficially thrown into the pool of players from the 2018 World Cup qualifying that were vowed never to be heard from again, Saief spent the last few years bouncing around leagues from Belgium, MLS and now in Poland with Gdansk.

He has been struggling to get a starting appearance for his new club. However, the Israeli-American has continued to provide a needed spark off the bench.

That continued last weekend, with Saief grabbing an assist and a crucial point for Gdank’s playoff chances. In terms of the national team pool, Saief remains a fringe prospect at best. That said, more performances like last weekends would go a long way for Saief’s chances both for club and country.

Stats not available

Germany

John Brooks (Wolfsburg; German Bundesliga)

Brooks played the full 90 at CB in Wolfsburg’s 1-0 win vs. Werder Bremen

Brooks stuck with the task of making my article criticizing him look terrible with another superb defensive effort. While it was against a relegation side in Werder Bremen, Brooks was quick to stifle the little chances that Bremen created.

Just two weeks removed from me calling Brooks a fringe Bundesliga player, the USMNT veteran has performed like a starter for a quality Bundesliga side.

Time will tell if the consistency is there.

Stats
Goals: 0
Assists: 0
Shots (On Target:) 0
Pass Accuracy: 71%
Chances Created: 0
Duals (Won:) 13 (7)
Interceptions: 3
Recoveries: 5
Match Rating: 7.3

Timmy Chandler (Eintracht Frankfurt; German Bundesliga)

Chandler was an unused sub in Frankfurt’s 3-0 win vs. Werder Bremen
Chandler played 45’ at RM in Frankfurt’s 2-0 loss vs. Mainz

It was a forgetful week for Chandler, who’s inconsistencies as a wide midfielder has proven to keep the 30-year-old out of a consistent starting role at a Bundesliga level.

Stats (vs. Mainz)
Goals: 0
Assists: 0
Shots (On Target:) 1 (0)
Pass Accuracy: 56%
Chances Created: 0
Duals (Won:) 5 (1)
Interceptions: 0
Recoveries: 5
Match Rating: 5.6

Alfredo Morales (Fortuna Dusseldorf; German Bundesliga)

Morales played 34’ at CM in Dusseldorf’s 2-2 draw vs. Hoffenheim

Morales has shown flashes in the pan of what he can create as a box-to-box midfielder. He showed some more this in the weekend with precise passing and an underrated threat in the air.

It’s unfortunate that the German-American is 30 rather than 20, or else he would be talked about way more as a USMNT staple rather than a fringe call up.

Stats
Goals: 0
Assists: 0
Shots (On Target:) 0
Pass Accuracy: 86%
Chances Created: 1
Duals (Won:) 8 (6)
Match Rating: 6.5

Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund; German Bundesliga)

Reyna played 22’ at CAM in Dortmund’s 1-0 win vs. Hertha Berlin

Another enigma of a performance from Reyna, who slowly grows more unimpressive with his limited minutes post-quarantine. Fans shouldn’t be shocked if Reyna is given a loan spell next year if he continues with performances like these.

Match Rating: 6.2

Weston Mckennie (Schalke 04; German Bundesliga)

Not in Squad (yellow card accumulation)

Fact of the day: Schalke scored their first non-Weston McKennie goal in nine matches.

Schalke’s last three Bundesliga goals:

⚽️ March: Weston McKennie
⚽️ May: Weston McKennie
⚽️ June: Jonjoe Kenny

Three different months, one Kenny theme. pic.twitter.com/LY3tS941MO

— Squawka (@Squawka) June 7, 2020

(The goal came in a 1-1 draw vs. a Union Berlin side that dominated all 90 minutes. Same old Schalke it appears.)

Zack Steffen (Fortuna Dusseldorf; German Bundesliga)

Not in Squad (Injury); Last Appearance: Dec. 22.

Fabian Johnson (Borussia Monchengladbach; German Bundesliga)

Not in Squad (Selection, Injury); Last Appearance: Feb. 1.

Some good news for the few Johnson defenders that remain: the German-American is back to full fitness and currently a full participant in Mönchengladbach training. Perhaps a second resurgence is to come?

Update: Maybe not? ‘Gladbach is not renewing Johnson’s contract, which runs out at the end of this Bundesliga season. Will he come to MLS? 

ℹ️ Max #Eberl: "Tobias #Strobl has informed us that he would like to join FC Augsburg at the end of the season. We have also reached an agreement together with @FabianJohnson23 to let his contract run out."#DieFohlen pic.twitter.com/gSeJNPK6zB

— Gladbach (@borussia_en) June 8, 2020

Julian Green (Greuther Furth; 2. Bundesliga)

Green played 45’ at CM in Greuther Furth’s 2-1 loss vs. SV Sandhausen 

As Grether Fürth continues to slip down the 2. Liga ladder so does Green’s chances at throwing a hat into the USMNT pool for a second chance.

Stats
Goals: 0
Assists: 0
Shots (On Target:) 1 (0)
Pass Accuracy: 63%
Chances Created: 1
Duals (Won:) 10 (6)
Interceptions: 0
Recoveries: 2
Match Rating: 6.3

Bobby Wood (Hamburg; 2. Bundesliga) 

Not in squad; Last Appearance: Nov. 29, 2019.

Rest of Europe

Christian Cappis (Hobro IK; Danish Superligaen)

Cappis played the full 90 at CM in Hobro’s 2-2 draw vs. Lyngby.

Stats
Goals: 0
Assists: 0
Shots (On Target:) 1 (0)
Pass Accuracy: 90%
Chances Created: 0
Duals (Won:) 3 (1)
Match Rating: 6.3

Emmanuel Sabbi (Hobro IK; Danish Superligaen)

Sabbi played the full 90 at RM in Hobro’s 2-2 draw vs. Lyngby

The Hobro boys continued their run of form from the break with a frustrating two points lost in a must-win for their relegation playoff avoidance. While not the result needed, the Hobro yanks remained content on a lineup devoid of getting three points. Think poor man’s Schalke.

Sabbi created the little chances produced for Hobro and showed that wallowing in the relegation playoffs isn’t the ceiling for the 22-year-old.

Stats
Goals: 0
Assists: 0
Shots (On Target:) 3 (1)
Pass Accuracy: 80%
Chances Created: 2
Duals (Won:) 18 (8)
Match Rating: 6.9

https://twitter.com/FutureUsmnt/status/1269746737075425280

The Abroad Top 20

I am no longer ignoring Erik Palmer-Brown and Emmanuel Sabbi. Now, it’s your turn.

After watching his recent performances, I can’t place Josh Sargent over Timothy Weah.

Dropped: Eric Lichaj, Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Embed from Getty Images