The biggest headline of the week for USMNT players came after the majority of the games concluded. Pulisic’s transfer rumors have heated up to a near boiling point. All the while, Malik Tillman is making a perfect first impression in Scotland, Weston McKennie is returning from injury weeks before scheduled, and Josh Sargent finally got a start at his natural position.
Americans Abroad Weekly: Malik Tillman surging, Pulisic rumors, and McKennie return
Christian Pulisic Transfer Saga
If you follow the USMNT, you know that fans, and Pulisic himself, are not too thrilled with his playing time at Chelsea. This past week, reports from multiple outlets starting flooding in that Chelsea are open to moving Pulisic, and that Newcastle United are the main Premier League team showing interest in the winger. Atletico Madrid, AC Milan, and Juventus are also rumored to interested in Pulisic. After seeing only 7 minutes against Tottenham, it’s time for Captain America to move on to a club where playing time is less scarce.
Malik Tillman
Recent dual-national commit Malik Tillman has been tearing it up for Rangers in the Scottish Premiership. He scored the winning goal for Rangers in their Champions League Qualification match:
Malik Tillman goal to put Rangers in front!#UCL
pic.twitter.com/TttqxA25V3— SSN – US Soccer (@SSN_USSoccer) August 9, 2022
And followed it up with a goal in their 4-0 league win against St. Johnstone.
After scoring in the Champions League midweek, 20-year-old Malik Tillman scores his second goal for Rangers, this one in the Scottish Premiership. The USMNT international settling in remarkably quickly in Glasgow. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/fq8Woijj9Y
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) August 13, 2022
Getting consistent minutes, and putting up great performances in a World Cup year is a huge way for the 20 year old to try and break into the USMNT plane to Qatar.
Josh Sargent
Josh Sargent is another player whose form needs to see a meteoric rise if he wants to earn a spot in Qatar. Playing in the championship for Norwich, Sargent finally got a start at striker. He spent the majority of last season in the Premier League playing as a Winger. In his start against Huddersfield, he grabbed the opening goal for Norwich en route to a 2-1 win for the canaries.
Josh Sargent GOAL vs Huddersfield pic.twitter.com/bkNmTWBjYU
— Kranks (@dis_possessed) August 16, 2022
With the “#9” position being one of the most fluid the US currently have, it’s really anyones for the taking. Who’s to say it can’t be Josh?
Weston McKennie
After picking up a shoulder injury, McKennie wasn’t expected to return until sometime in September. Here we are midway through August and Wes was in the starting 11 and went 76 minutes. He’s a true warrior, and it feels like if he got hit by a car he’d only miss a month or so.
