Americans abroad: Brenden Aaronson scores first goal for Leeds, Gio Reyna returns

Brenden Aaronson scores for Leeds vs. Chelsea.
Brenden Aaronson scores for Leeds vs. Chelsea. / Catherine Ivill/GettyImages
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Americans abroad did not disappoint this week. With the World Cup fast approaching, USMNT figures are doing their best to stand out.

Brenden Aaronson shocked over the weekend, scoring his first goal for Leeds to propel the Premier League side to a 3-0 victory over Chelsea. Josh Sargent also made himself known, recording two goals for Norwich to defeat Millwall 2-0.

While Gregg Berhalter may have several figures to chose from, Tim Weah may not be one of them after Lille president Olivier Letang confirmed the player's injury may be worse than initially expected.

Here's everything on American players abroad...


1. Leeds.

Brenden Aaronson
Brenden Aaronson scores his first goal for Leeds United. / Catherine Ivill/GettyImages

Brenden Aaronson scored his first goal for Leeds to inspire the 3-0 victory over Chelsea over the weekend. The player proved his worth in the midfield, working with USMNT teammate Tyler Adams to secure the three points. 

Though many assumed Aaronson would need an adjustment period when entering the Premier League, he seems to be doing just fine. The two are quickly becoming a dynamic duo under head coach Jesse Marsch, making Gregg Berhalter’s job a lot easier. 

2. Josh Sargent scores

Josh Sargent
Josh Sargent scored for Norwich vs. Millwall. / Marc Atkins/GettyImages

Josh Sargent is on the rise. 

The American led Norwich to a 2-0 victory over Millwall in the Championship, scoring two goals in the second half to secure the three points. Sargent has now scored three goals in the team’s last two games, making a case for himself as the World Cup roster looms. 

It’s been one year since Sargent last featured for the USMNT, and facing relegation from the Premier League after an abysmal 2021/2022 campaign did not help bring him any closer. But it seems the player is putting the past behind him, and focusing on getting Norwich back to its best.  

3. Gio Reyna returns

Giovanni Reyna
Giovanni Reyna returns. / Lars Baron/GettyImages

Gio Reyna is back with Borussia Dortmund after missing most of the 2021/2022 campaign due to multiple hamstring injuries. 

Reyna featured in Dortmund’s 3-2 loss to Werder Bremen, coming off the bench in the 62nd minute to play for the first time since April. Though he was understandably rusty, his return is great news for the USMNT as the World Cup looms.

4. Tim Weah injury

Timothy Weah
United States' Timothy Weah is injured. / Matthew Ashton - AMA/GettyImages

Tim Weah will likely miss the USMNT’s September friendlies as his ankle injury appears to be worse than initially expected. 

Lille president Olivier Letang confirmed the player will require three weeks of immobilization for the injury, making his recovery timeline a bit more complicated. Though Weah would be back in time for the World Cup, his lack of playing could put his starting position in jeopardy. With no player locked into the roster, Gregg Berhalter must make several difficult decisions.