Heroics came in various shapes and sizes for members of the U.S. Men's National Team pool last week.
Haji Wright and Jordan Morris produced braces in wins for their respective teams, Coventry City and Seattle Sounders.
Also in England, Josh Sargent scored his first goal of the season and assisted on the equalizer for Norwich City, while Auston Trusty's first goal in nearly two years helped Sheffield United to victory. Gaga Slonina additionally earned man of the match honors in each of his first two matches for Barnsley.
In the first weekend of Serie A action in Italy, Yunus Musah set up the tying goal late in the match for AC Milan.
Domestically, Djordje Mihailovic and Zack Steffen came up big for the Colorado Rapids in a Leagues Cup shootout, while DeJuan Jones is proving to be a super sub for the Columbus Crew since joining the club.
BRACE FOR IT - PART I
Forward Haji Wright wound up having the first and last words for Coventry City, scoring twice in its 3-2 home triumph past Oxford United in the English Championship on Friday, Aug. 16. He lifted the hosts into a 15th minute lead, heading in Milan van Ewijk's cross past goalkeeper James Cumming.
After Oxford battled back to draw even, Wright struck six minutes into second-half stoppage time, latching onto a loose ball and rounding Cumming for the game-winner for the team's first win of the young campaign. It was the first two goals of the season for the 26-year-old Wright, who finished with a career-best 16 league goals and 19 across all competitions last season.
BRACE FOR IT - PART II
Seattle Sounders forward Jordan Morris' performance wasn't as dramatic as Haji Wright’s, but his two goals paced the Seattle Sounders to a 4-0 home victory over Pumas UNAM in the Leagues Cup Round of 16 on Monday, Aug. 12. He scored off Albert Rusnak's flicked header past keeper Julio González in the 58th minute to boost the hosts into a 2-0 lead.
He finished off the match five minutes into second-half injury time with a penalty kick after Lisandro Magallán took him down in the area.
Morris, however, could not duplicate his production in the quarterfinals as the Sounders lost to Los Angeles FC, 4-0, on Saturday, Aug. 17. The 29-year-old forward, who has nine MLS goals this season, scored three goals in the Sounders’ Leagues Cup run.
ONE OF EACH
Josh Sargent reminded us that he can both score and set up his teammates in Norwich City's 2-2 home draw with Blackburn Rovers in the English Championship on Saturday, Aug. 17. After missing several close encounters in the first half, Sargent finally connected in the 65th minute to knot the game up at 1-1. He buried a steal by left back Callum Doyle into the top corner past goalie Aynsley Pears for his first goal of the campaign.
With the Canaries trailing, Sargent turned playmaker as Borja Sainz tapped in his cross for the 85th-minute equalizer.
THE LATE, LATE SHOW
After replacing Christian Pulisic in the 73rd minute, midfielder Yunus Musah produced some late-match heroics in AC Milan’s Serie A season-opening 2-2 draw with Torino on Saturday, Aug. 17. From the right, Musah sent a cross in for Noah Okafor, who slotted the ball past goalkeeper Vanja Milinković-Savić five minutes into stoppage time to salvage a point.
WELCOME TO AUSTON
Defender Auston Trusty scored his first goal of the season and his first in nearly two years in Sheffield United's 4-2 home victory over Wrexham in the first round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, Aug. 13. Trusty headed home a corner kick by Sydie Peck in the 35th minute past goalkeeper Callum Burton, only six minutes after the visitors grabbed a 1-0 lead. He last found the net in Birmingham City's 2-0 win over the Queens Park Rangers on Oct. 28, 2022.
A DEBUT TO REMEMBER
Goalie Gaga Slonina made a good first impression with Barnsley in his first two appearances with the English League One side, earning man of the match honors both times. During a 1-1 draw with Wigan Athletic on Wednesday, Aug. 13, Slonina made key saves on Joe Hugill in the first half and Thelo Aasgaard in the second during regulation before producing two more during the ensuing shootout. He dove to his right to frustrate Aasgaard on Wigans' first penalty attempt before stopping Scott Smith as Barnsley won the shootout 4-2. Barnsley and Slonina will play Sheffield United and Auston Trusty in the second round of the Carabao Cup on Aug. 27.
In his first league match on Saturday, Aug. 17, the 20-year-old Slonina was at it again, making a vital stop in a 2-1 triumph at Lincoln City. He denied Jovon Makama in a 1-v-1 situation in the 35th minute.
HELPING OUT
Midfielder Paxten Aaronson set up Utrecht's lone goal in its 1-1 draw with Heerenveen. in the Dutch Eredivisie on Saturday, Aug. 17 He assisted on Ole Romeny, who scored past goalie Michael van der Hart only three minutes after the opening kickoff.
SHOOTOUT STARS
Midfielder Djordje Mihailovic and goalkeeper Zack Steffen came up clutch in the penalty kick shootout that lifted the 46th-seeded Colorado Rapids into the semifinals of the Leagues Cup on Saturday night. Mihailovic, who stood out for the USA during the Paris Olympics, converted the first shootout goal in the Rapids' 9-8 PK win over top-seeded Club América after the teams played to a scoreless draw in regulation at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. Steffen forced sudden death in PKs when he dove to his right to deny Igor Lichnovsky on what would have been the winning spot kick. Steffen then scored as Colorado’s 10th kick taker, before América keeper Luis Malagón pushed his attempt wide of the target.
Steffen also backstopped the clean sheet, making four saves during regulation.
The Rapids will visit Los Angeles FC, 3-0 quarterfinal winners over the Seattle Sounders, in a semifinal clash on Wednesday, Aug. 21.
KEEPING UP WITH JONES
Since joining the Columbus Crew in a trade with the New England Revolution, DeJuan Jones has played just 65 minutes over three games for his new MLS club, but he has made an impact. In his Crew debut on Aug. 9, he scored his first goal in 14 minutes of action as a substitute in a 4-0 victory over visiting Sporting Kansas City in the Leagues Cup. He then played the opening 45 minutes of a 3-2 win in the Round of 16 win over defending tournament champions Inter Miami CF on Wednesday, Aug. 13. On Saturday, after coming on in the 84th minute, Jones recorded the winning penalty kick for Columbus in a 4-3 shootout victory over New York City FC in the quarterfinals. The teams had played to a scoreless tie after 90 minutes.
The Crew will host the Philadelphia Union in the semifinals on Wednesday, Aug. 21.
FULL RUNDOWN
-- Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United; English Championship) - 26 minutes as a substitute in 0-0 draw at West Bromwich Albion (Aug. 17); 63 minutes in 3-0 loss vs. Middlesbrough in Carabao Cup (Aug. 14)
-- Paxten Aaronson (Utrecht; Dutch Eredivisie) - 90 minutes, ASSIST, in 1-1 draw at Heerenveen (Aug. 17)
-- Kellyn Acosta (Chicago Fire; MLS) - No games
-- Tyler Adams (AFC Bournemouth; English Premier League) – Injured, DNP in 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest (Aug. 17)
-- Folarin Balogun (Monaco; French Ligue 1) – 69 minutes in 1-0 win vs. Saint-Etienne (Aug. 17)
-- Taylor Booth (Utrecht; Dutch Eredivisie) - 1 minute as a substitute in 1-1 draw at Heerenveen (Aug. 17)
-- Gianluca Busio (Venezia; Italian Serie A) – Injured, DNP in 3-1 loss at Lazio (Aug. 18)
-- Drake Callender (Inter Miami CF; MLS) - 90 minutes in 3-2 loss at Columbus Crew in Leagues Cup (Aug. 13)
-- Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis; Spain La Liga) - 18 minutes as a substitute in 1-1 draw vs. Girona (Aug. 15)
-- Reggie Cannon (Queens Park Rangers; Championship) - Not in 18, DNP in 2-2 draw at Sheffield United (Aug. 17)
-- Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic; Scottish Premiership) - 90 minutes in 3-1 win vs. Hibernian in League Cup (Aug. 18)
-- Cade Cowell (Guadalajara; Liga MX) - No games
-- Ben Cremaschi (Inter Miami CF; MLS) - 4 minutes as a substitute in 3-2 loss at Columbus Crew in Leagues Cup (Aug. 13)
-- Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven; Dutch Eredivisie) - Injured, DNP in 3-1 win at Heracles (Aug. 18)
-- Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo, Spain La Liga) - Not in 18, DNP in 2-1 win vs. Alaves (Aug. 16)
-- Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas; MLS) - No games
-- Julian Gressel (Inter Miami CF; MLS) - 22 minutes as a substitute in 3-2 loss at Columbus Crew in Leagues Cup (Aug. 13)
-- Ethan Horvath (Cardiff City; Championship) - 90 minutes in 5-0 loss at Burnley (Aug. 17); Not in 18, DNP in 2-0 win vs. Bristol Rovers in League Cup (Aug. 13)
-- Sean Johnson (Toronto FC; MLS) - No games
-- DeJuan Jones (Columbus Crew; MLS) – 6 minutes as a substitute, SHOOTOUT GOAL, in 1-1 draw vs. New York City FC in Leagues Cup (4-3 PK winners) (Aug. 17); 45 minutes in 3-2 win vs. Inter Miami CF in Leagues Cup (Aug. 13)
-- Richy Ledezma (PSV Eindhoven; Dutch Eredivisie) - 73 minutes in in 3-1 win at Heracles (Aug. 18)
-- Kristoffer Lund (Palmero; Italy Serie B) - 82 minutes in 1-0 loss at Brescia (Aug. 16)
-- Lennard Maloney (Heidenheim; Bundesliga) - 90 minutes in 4-0 win at Villingen in DFB Pokal (Aug. 17)
-- Weston McKennie (Juventus; Italy Serie A) - Vs. Como (Monday, 2:45 p.m. ET)
-- Mark McKenzie (Genk; Belgian Pro League) - Not in 18, DNP in 4-3 win at Beerschot (Aug. 17)
-- Djordje Mihailovic (Colorado Rapids; MLS) - 90 minutes, SHOOTOUT GOAL, in 0-0 draw vs. Club America (9-8 PK winners) in Leagues Cup (Aug. 17); 90 minutes in 2-1 win vs. Toluca (Aug. 13)
-- Shaq Moore (Nashville SC; MLS) - No games
-- Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough; Championship) - 68 minutes in 1-0 loss at Derby County (Aug. 17); 90 minutes in 3-0 win at Leeds United in Carabao Cup (Aug. 14)
-- Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders; MLS) - 90 minutes in 3-0 loss vs. Los Angeles FC in Leagues Cup (Aug. 17); 90 minutes, TWO GOALS, in 4-0 win vs. Pumas UNAM in Leagues Cup (Aug. 12)
-- Yunus Musah (A.C. Milan; Italy Serie A) - 17 minutes as a substitute, ASSIST, in 2-2 draw vs. Torino (Aug. 17)
-- Jalen Neal (LA Galaxy; MLS) – No games
-- Erik Palmer-Brown (Panathinaikos; Greek Super League) - Injured, DNP in 1-0 loss vs. Asteras Tripolis (Aug. 18); Injured, DNP in 1-0 win at Ajax in UEFA Europa League (13-12 PK losers, in aggregate goals series) (Aug. 15)
-- Kevin Paredes (Wolfsburg; Bundesliga) - Vs. Koblenz in DFB Pokal (Monday, noon ET)
-- Jordan Pefok (Union Berlin; Bundesliga) - 80 minutes in 1-0 win at Greifswalder FC in DFB Pokal (Aug. 17)
-- Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven; Dutch Eredivisie) - In 18, DNP in 3-1 win at Heracles (Aug. 18)
-- Christian Pulisic (A.C. Milan; Italy Serie A) - 73 minutes 17 minutes in 2-2 draw vs. Torino (Aug. 17)
-- Tim Ream (Charlotte FC; MLS) - No games
-- Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund; Bundesliga) - In 18, DNP in 4-1 win at Phönix Lübeck in DFB Pokal (Aug. 17)
-- Bryan Reynolds (Westerlo; Belgian Pro League) - 77 minutes in 4-1 loss at Gent (Aug. 18)
-- Chris Richards (Crystal Palace; English Premier League) - 84 minutes in 2-1 loss at Brentford (Aug. 18).
-- Antonee Robinson (Fulham; English Premier League) - 90 minutes in 1-0 loss at Manchester United (Aug. 16)
-- Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati; MLS) - 90 minutes in 4-2 loss vs. Philadelphia Union in Leagues Cup (Aug. 13)
-- James Sands (New York City FC; MLS) – 90 minutes, SHOOTOUT GOAL, in 1-1 draw at Columbus Crew (4-3 PKs losers) (Aug. 17); 90 minutes in 2-1 win vs. Tigres UANL in Leagues Cup (Aug. 13)
-- Josh Sargent (Norwich City; Championship) - 89 minutes, GOAL, ASSIST, in 2-2 draw vs. Blackburn Rovers (Aug. 17)
-- Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach; Bundesliga) - 90 minutes in 3-1 win at Erzgebirge Aue in DFB Pokal (Aug. 17)
-- Gaga Slonina (Barnsley; English League One) - 90 minutes in 2-1 win at Lincoln City (Aug. 17); 90 minutes in 1-1 draw at Wigan Athletic (4-3 PK winners) in Carabao Cup (Aug. 13)
-- Zack Steffen (Colorado Rapids; MLS) - 90 minutes, SHUTOUT, in 0-0 draw vs. Club America (9-8 PK winners) in Leagues Cup (Aug. 17); 90 minutes in 2-1 win vs. Toluca (Aug. 13)
-- Tanner Tessmann (Venezia; Italy Serie A) – Not in 18, DNP in 3-1 loss at Lazio (Aug. 18)
-- Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven; Dutch Eredivisie) - 45 minutes in 3-1 win at Heracles (Aug. 18)
-- Timmy Tillman (Los Angeles FC; MLS) - Injured, DNP in 3-0 win vs. Seattle Sounders in Leagues Cup (Aug. 17); Injured, DNP in 4-1 win vs. San Jose Earthquakes sin Leagues Cup (Aug. 13)
-- John Tolkin (New York Red Bulls; MLS) - No games
-- Auston Trusty (Sheffield United; English Premier League) - In 18, DNP in 2-2 draw vs. Queens Park Rangers (Aug. 17); 90 minutes, GOAL in 4-2 win vs. Wrexham in Carabao Cup (Aug. 13)
-- Matt Turner (Nottingham Forest; English Premier League) - Not in 18, DNP in 1-1 draw vs. AFC Bournemouth (Aug. 17)
-- Brandon Vazquez (Monterrey; Liga MX) – 2 minutes as a substitute in 2-1 win at Puebla (Aug. 16)
-- Tim Weah (Juventus; Italy Serie A) - Vs. Como (Monday, 2:45 p.m. ET)
-- Caleb Wiley (Strasbourg; French Ligue 1) - 90 minutes in 1-1 draw at Montpellier (Aug. 18)
-- Haji Wright (Coventry City; Championship) - 90 minutes, TWO GOALS, in 3-2 win vs. Oxford United (Aug. 16); 62 minutes in 1-0 win at Bristol City in Carabao Cup (Aug. 13)
-- DeAndre Yedlin (FC Cincinnati; MLS) - 86 minutes, GOAL, in 4-2 loss vs. Philadelphia Union in Leagues Cup (Aug. 13)
-- Alejandro Zendejas (Club America; Liga MX) - Not in 18, DNP in 0-0 draw vs. Colorado Rapids (9-8 PK losers) in Leagues Cup; Not in 18, DNP in 4-2 win vs. St. Louis CITY in Leagues Cup (Aug. 13)
-- Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC; MLS) - No games
