Americans Abroad: Jesse Marsch avoids relegation, Tyler Adams lifts trophy with RB Leipzig
As most European leagues came to a close over the weekend, USMNT figures saw a lot of action.
Jesse Marsch avoided Premier League relegation with Leeds after triumphing 2-0 over Brentford and Burnley lost to Newcastle United, while elsewhere Tyler Adams lifted the DFB-Pokal with RB Leipzig.
Now, with club football coming to a close, USMNT players can redirect their focus to the summer preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and Concacaf Nations League.
But first, here’s one last look at what the Americans abroad were up to for the final weekend of the 2021/2022 season...
1. Jesse Marsch stays up with Leeds
Head coach Jesse Marsch secured another year of Premier League action for Leeds after the English side defeated Brentford 2-0 in the season finale on Sunday. In conjunction with Burnley's 2-1 loss to Newcastle United, Leeds avoided relegation.
“It was an incredible 12 games, three months,” Marsch said in a post-match club interview.
“I knew the task was going to be monumental, but when you’re in the middle of it, you’re just trying to do the best you can. In the last three months what you saw the most was the resolve and the character of the team, it’s something we’re always going to need to have going forward.”
The American initially took over the Yorkshire club on March 5, replacing Marcelo Bielsa after three years with the club. He registered a 4-3-5 record during his first take at the helm, finishing with 15 points out of a possible 36.
2. Brenden Aaronson linked with Leeds
USMNT forward Brenden Aaronson may be headed for the Premier League. The RB Salzburg player has been linked to several clubs in the past weeks, most prominently Leeds.
The English side is close to finalizing a deal with the striker for an estimated £20m, according to 90min.
The player has been crucial to RB Salzburg’s success during his 18-month stint, managing 13 goals and 16 assists in 66 appearances to win the league on two consecutive occasions. The player also featured in the team’s Champions League round of 16 run this year.
3. Tyler Adams lifts trophy with RB Leipzig
The American star lifted the DFB-Pokal trophy, becoming the fourth USMNT player to accomplish the feat - joining Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna and Thomas Dooley. Adams played a key role in the team’s victory, inspiring his side to a win over Freiburg in a penalty shootout.
It is the first time Leipzig have won the DFB-Pokal.
The triumph comes in Adams’ fourth season with the club.
4. Tim Weah scores for Lille
Tim Weah led Lille to a 2-2 draw with Rennes on the final day of the season, scoring twice to finish 10th in Ligue 1. The player concluded the 2021/2022 campaign with three goals and five assists in 35 appearances for Lille.
“The players responded,” Lille coach Jocelyn Courvennec said.
“We said we would go all the way. We missed a little thing to be in the fight for the last places, we missed the last quarter of the season, but we don’t miss our last games. I am nevertheless very proud of what the players and the staff have given since the beginning of July.”
5. Honorable mentions:
Weston McKennie returned from injury to feature in Juventus’ last match, coming off the bench in the 76th minute to replace Fabio Miretti.
Erik Palmer-Brown featured for Troyes as the French side drew 1-1 at Lorient. Yoann Touzghar scored for Troyes in the 22nd and Lorient equalized in the 74th.
James Sands featured for the Rangers in the Europa League final against Frankfurt.