The first international window of the new World Cup cycle provided plenty of reasons for optimism about the next generation of American players. This weekend, several of those youngsters returned to their clubs and picked up right where they left off.
Cavan Sullivan set up two more goals for Philadelphia, setting a new league record for goal contributions by a teenager. Julian Hall scored again for the New York Red Bulls, while fellow USMNT newcomer Adri Mehmeti helped create another goal in a convincing victory over San Diego.
There were encouraging performances from the Americans in Spain as well. Johnny Cardoso continued his emergence as a regular starter at Atlético Madrid, delivering one of his best performances since returning from injury. Alex Freeman played another full 90 minutes for Villarreal and earned positive reviews despite a narrow defeat at Real Madrid.
The best statistical performance of the weekend, however, belonged to Bryan Reynolds. Making his first Ligue 1 start for Rennes, the right back provided two assists in a 4-1 win over Auxerre. Joe Scally also had a strong individual performance, scoring for Borussia Mönchengladbach in a derby loss to Köln.
The news wasn't quite as positive everywhere. Weston McKennie was removed at halftime for Juventus, Gio Reyna dropped out of Strasbourg's starting lineup and Cole Campbell found himself on the bench after starting Elversberg's previous Bundesliga games.
Meanwhile, the injuries to Ricardo Pepi, Gianluca Busio, Haji Wright and Kevin Paredes continue to interrupt their seasons.
Stock Watch
↑ Up: Johnny Cardoso, Cavan Sullivan, Julian Hall, Adri Mehmeti, Bryan Reynolds, Alex Freeman and Joe Scally.
↗ Encouraging: Christian Pulisic, Chris Richards, Mark McKenzie and Sergiño Dest.
— Mixed: Yunus Musah, Tyler Adams, Malik Tillman, Folarin Balogun, Tanner Tessmann, Gio Reyna, Cole Campbell and Brenden Aaronson.
↓ Concern: Weston McKennie, Benjamin Cremaschi, Lennard Maloney, Tim Weah and the injured group.
Up: Cardoso and Reynolds delivered the two strongest European performances. Cardoso increasingly looks like a natural part of Atlético's midfield rather than a player getting occasional opportunities, while Reynolds made a compelling case for more playing time at Rennes. Freeman's steady improvement in Spain continued, and Scally added a goal to an adventurous performance against Köln.
In MLS, Sullivan's production is becoming difficult to comprehend for a 17-year-old. Hall is also making a very convincing argument that his recent USMNT performances were no fluke, while Mehmeti continues to develop into one of the more interesting young midfielders in the American pool.
Encouraging: Pulisic was dangerous despite going without a goal or assist, Richards played well for the most part in Palace's victory and Dest produced another solid 90 minutes for PSV. McKenzie had a mixed defensive performance but won an important penalty as Toulouse fought back against Monaco.
Mixed: Musah struggled in a difficult tactical assignment for Milan before improving after halftime. Adams played the entire match in Bournemouth's 5-1 defeat at Chelsea, but the collective collapse makes individual judgments difficult. Tillman and Balogun remain involved at their clubs without consistently starting, while Tessmann and Aaronson continue searching for larger roles. Reyna and Campbell both being dropped from the starting lineup may be due to their travel for the international games, so we’ll monitor, but not get overly concerned.
Concern: McKennie's halftime substitution reflects a legitimate problem with his current attacking role at Juventus. Weah served a suspension, while several other Americans are still dealing with injuries or frustratingly limited playing time.
Spotlight Players
Alex Freeman, Villarreal
Freeman's rapid transition from occasional substitute to regular La Liga starter continued Saturday with perhaps his most difficult assignment yet.
The 22-year-old played the full 90 minutes at the Santiago Bernabéu as Villarreal fell 1-0 to Real Madrid. Although the result was disappointing, Freeman produced another generally positive performance against one of the best teams in Europe.
Playing at right back, Freeman was matched up frequently against Yan Diomandé, one of Madrid's dynamic young attackers. Villarreal-focused reporter Javier Mata of AS praised his performance in that matchup and highlighted his willingness to advance into attacking positions.
Freeman wasn't content to sit deep and hope Villarreal could survive the pressure. He repeatedly looked for opportunities to push forward, providing another outlet on the right side and forcing Madrid to account for his movement.
The major criticism was what happened after he reached those advanced positions.
Freeman has exceptional physical tools for a fullback. His size makes him difficult to overpower defensively, while his speed allows him to get forward and recover quickly when possession changes. However, his final pass still doesn't consistently match the quality of the movement that gets him into dangerous areas.
That was apparent again against Madrid. Freeman did well enough to advance the ball and create attacking possibilities, but too many of those opportunities ended without a threatening delivery.
It is an important distinction when evaluating his progress. He no longer looks like a player simply trying to survive against La Liga opposition. The question is becoming whether he can provide enough quality in the attacking third to become a difference-maker at this level.
His progression since August has been substantial.
After another strong showing for the US, he was able to carry that form and momentum back to his club.
Cavan Sullivan, Philadelphia Union
Apparently breaking records with the national team wasn't enough for Cavan Sullivan.
Fresh off becoming the youngest goalscorer in USMNT history against Mexico, Sullivan returned to Philadelphia's starting lineup Saturday and added another two “MLS assists” as the Union defeated Real Salt Lake 2-1.
The victory extended Philadelphia's unbeaten streak to 13 MLS matches, including seven consecutive wins, and Sullivan was once again heavily involved in the attack.
He helped set up an excellent team goal in the 31st minute.
Sullivan received the ball on the right side of the attacking third, dribbled toward the box and drew multiple defenders in his direction. Instead of forcing his way through the crowd, he recognized the space that had opened outside and played the ball back to Frankie Westfield.
Westfield immediately delivered a low cross into the penalty area. Milan Iloski cleverly allowed the ball to run through his legs, leaving Bruno Damiani with an open look that he finished to give Philadelphia the lead.
Sullivan’s initial movement drew defenders toward the ball and created the space Westfield used to deliver the decisive pass.
He was involved again late in the second half as Philadelphia searched for an insurance goal.
After Sullivan stressed the defense with a dribbling run through three defenders, a chaotic sequence inside the penalty area eventually saw him get a touch on the ball before Iloski poked it home. Following a lengthy VAR review, the goal stood and Sullivan received another “MLS assist”.
Sullivan also produced an impressive individual sequence in the 76th minute, dribbling through several Salt Lake defenders before getting a shot on target. The goalkeeper made the save, but it was another example of his willingness to attack defenders rather than simply recycle possession.
He finished with three shots and an appearance on the MLS Team of the Matchday.
Sullivan now has 20 MLS-credited goal contributions this season, seven goals and 14 (MLS) assists, tying the single-season record for a teenager. His 14 assists also lead the league.
Sullivan is consistently involved in the possessions that produce Philadelphia's goals. He is finding space, drawing defenders toward him, recognizing passing lanes and increasingly making the right decisions about when to dribble and when to release the ball.
Philadelphia was sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference when the league resumed after the World Cup. The Union have since become one of the hottest teams in MLS, and Sullivan has been a central figure in that transformation.
His first senior USMNT camp only increased the excitement around him.
At 17, there will still be inconsistent performances and moments when he tries something that doesn't work. The physical and tactical challenges will also increase substantially when he eventually moves to Europe.
For now, however, Sullivan is doing about everything you could reasonably ask of a teenager in MLS.
The conversation has moved well beyond whether he deserves a call-up.
Now it is about how quickly he can establish himself as a legitimate option for the national team.
Julian Hall & Adri Mehmeti, New York Red Bulls
Two other young Americans returning from their first senior USMNT camp helped produce one of the weekend's most convincing MLS victories.
Julian Hall and Adri Mehmeti both started and played 90 minutes as the New York Red Bulls demolished San Diego FC 4-1 on Saturday.
Hall picked up where he left off with the national team, opening the scoring in the 15th minute.
Ronald Donkor advanced the ball through midfield before releasing Jorge Ruvalcaba down the right side of the penalty area. Ruvalcaba delivered a sharp, low cross across the goalmouth and Hall arrived at the back post for a simple finish.
It was not a spectacular individual goal, but it demonstrated an increasingly valuable part of Hall's game. He consistently recognizes where a scoring opportunity is developing and puts himself in the right position to finish it.
Hall has the speed and athleticism to threaten defenses in transition, but his development as a striker increasingly revolves around his movement inside the penalty area.
The goal was his 11th of the MLS season, continuing an outstanding year that has seen the 18-year-old emerge as New York's leading scorer and one of the league's most promising young forwards. He wasn't just a one-chance scorer Saturday, either. Hall finished with seven shots, including six on target, demonstrating how consistently he was getting into dangerous positions.
The Red Bulls doubled their lead just five minutes after Hall's opener, then added a third in the 27th minute with Mehmeti involved in the buildup.
Mehmeti received possession near the top of San Diego's penalty area and played the ball across to Donkor. The midfielder immediately found Ruvalcaba making a run toward the end line, and Ruvalcaba turned before firing a shot into the upper corner from a difficult angle.
It was a useful example of the qualities that make Mehmeti such an interesting midfield prospect. He recognizes passing options quickly and generally looks to move the ball before opposing defenders can close the space around him.
There is a reason Mehmeti has become such an important part of New York's midfield despite being only 17 years old. He is not the type of young player who overwhelms opponents with extraordinary size or speed. His strengths are more subtle: awareness before receiving, quick decision-making, intelligent positioning and the ability to connect passes through midfield.
New York actually had considerably less possession than San Diego, but the Red Bulls were much more dangerous when they attacked. They scored three times in the opening 27 minutes and repeatedly exploited the visitors' inability to defend quickly developing attacks.
Hall and Mehmeti were important to that early dominance.
The Red Bulls now have two teenagers playing significant roles in their playoff push who could become important parts of the USMNT over the next four years.
For a program searching for young attacking talent and more sophisticated midfield play, that is a pretty exciting combination.
Johnny Cardoso, Atlético Madrid
Cardoso's turnaround at Atlético Madrid continues to be one of the most encouraging American developments in Europe this season. He started again Saturday and played the full 90 minutes as Atlético defeated Alavés 2-1, delivering another excellent performance in the middle of Diego Simeone's lineup.
Atlético-focused outlet ElDesmarque gave Cardoso an 8/10, praising his defensive positioning and ability to provide stability behind Koke and Pablo Barrios. That balance is becoming a significant part of Atlético's midfield structure.
Cardoso frequently stays behind the more advanced midfielders, protecting the space in front of the defense and allowing his teammates to move forward without leaving the entire middle of the field exposed.
One particularly important intervention came when Cardoso anticipated a developing Alavés attack and intercepted the ball before Toni Martínez could break through on goal. It was the type of defensive play that rarely generates highlights but can completely change a match.
However, the more interesting development has been what Cardoso is contributing in possession. Atlético beat reporter Jesús Colino of AS praised his passing and especially his ability to receive the ball, turn quickly and accelerate the team's attacks.
Cardoso has never been a midfielder who relies on spectacular dribbling or constant long passes. His value is in recognizing where pressure is coming from and finding the next pass before the opponent can close the available space.
When he receives facing his own goal, turns away from pressure and finds Koke or Barrios in an advanced position, Atlético can move forward before the opposing defense is organized. That is more useful than simply completing a high percentage of easy passes and provides Simeone with a midfielder who can protect the defense without slowing down the attack.
Cardoso entered the season attempting to recover his form and fitness after ankle surgery cost him much of the previous campaign and the World Cup. Atlético had also added competition in midfield, and there was no guarantee he would reclaim a starting position.
He initially received scattered substitute minutes before making his first start against Osasuna. Since then, Simeone has increasingly trusted him in important matches, including the derby victory over Real Madrid.
Now he is beginning to influence games rather than merely filling a position.
Premier League
Tyler Adams, Bournemouth
Adams played the full 90 minutes in Bournemouth's ugly 5-1 loss at Chelsea, one of the more disappointing results of the weekend for an established American international.
Chelsea overwhelmed Bournemouth early, scoring twice in the opening stages and repeatedly exposing weaknesses in the visitors' defensive organization. Adams was booked and received below-average ratings, although the problems were considerably broader than one midfielder.
Bournemouth has been adjusting to Marco Rose's system, and its aggressive defensive approach has not always been supported by the positional discipline needed behind the press.
Adams is most effective when he can close space, disrupt possession and immediately turn recoveries into attacks. When the players around him fail to maintain their defensive structure, he can end up covering more ground than one midfielder can reasonably manage.
That doesn't absolve him of responsibility for a poor team performance. He was part of a midfield that struggled badly against Chelsea.
However, it is difficult to attribute specific defensive failures to him without a closer examination of the individual sequences.
The encouraging part remains his club role. Adams continues to start and play substantial minutes after an interrupted preseason. The concern is that Bournemouth needs to become considerably more organized defensively if it wants to avoid more afternoons like this one.
Chris Richards, Crystal Palace
Richards had a generally positive performance as Crystal Palace defeated Nottingham Forest 3-1, although the final score was more comfortable than the match itself.
The American played the full 90 minutes and received a 7/10 from Palace-focused coverage, which praised his physical defending against Liam Delap.
Richards won five of his six aerial duels, made five clearances and blocked three shots. He was particularly effective dealing with Delap's physical presence during the second half.
There were some negatives. Richards occasionally misjudged bouncing balls and was caught out of position, allowing Forest to create opportunities that prevented Palace from controlling the game as comfortably as the score suggests.
Those moments have been a recurring issue early this season as Palace's defensive shape has asked Richards to defend more aggressively and occasionally cover larger spaces.
Still, he remains a reliable presence in the lineup, and this was one of his stronger performances of the season.
Antonee Robinson, Fulham
Robinson missed Fulham's 2-1 defeat at Ipswich after suffering an ankle injury in training.
Manager Álvaro Arbeloa had expressed hope that Robinson might be available, perhaps in a limited role, but he ultimately did not make the matchday squad.
Robinson had started Fulham's previous five league games and appeared to be growing more comfortable in the club's revised system.
There is no confirmed timetable for his return, so the injury should be monitored without assuming it will become a prolonged absence.
Brenden Aaronson, Leeds United
Aaronson remained on the bench as Leeds began their match at Arsenal, eventually entering in the 71st minute with the visitors chasing an equalizer.
He brought some activity to the attack but was unable to create a decisive chance as Arsenal held on for a 2-1 victory. The more important development is that Daniel Farke retained his previous starting lineup, again selecting Noah Okafor ahead of Aaronson.
That does not necessarily mean Aaronson has been permanently dropped, but he is clearly facing competition for his position.
After beginning the season as a starter, he needs to demonstrate that his movement and quick combinations can generate more consistent attacking danger rather than simply adding energy after entering games.
Zavier Gozo, Crystal Palace
Gozo was not included in Palace's matchday squad for the 3-1 victory over Nottingham Forest.
Gozo remains in the early stages of adapting to his new club. He has already received some first-team exposure, but the next meaningful step is earning regular opportunities in the matchday squad.
The attacking upside remains substantial. At this stage, the challenge is turning that potential into consistent Premier League minutes.
Serie A
Christian Pulisic, AC Milan
Pulisic continued his return to full fitness with another positive performance as Milan drew 1-1 at Sassuolo. He started and played approximately 78 minutes, receiving a 6.5/10 from Milan-focused outlet SempreMilan.
Although he didn't score or assist, Pulisic was one of Milan's more dangerous attackers. His movement repeatedly created opportunities to receive between the lines, and he showed good willingness to take on defenders rather than merely circulate the ball around Sassuolo's defensive shape.
His best contribution was an incisive pass that released Samuel Chukwueze into a dangerous position, although the opportunity ultimately went unfinished. Milan's broader attacking performance was considerably less convincing. The buildup was often too slow, and some of Rúben Amorim's adjustments after taking the lead made the team less balanced.
Pulisic has now moved from cautiously managed substitute to regular starter and continues to demonstrate why Milan is a more dangerous attacking team with him on the field.
The goals and assists should follow if he keeps receiving the ball in these positions.
Yunus Musah, AC Milan
Musah also started against Sassuolo and played approximately 78 minutes. Milan used him in a deeper buildup role during the first half, asking him to receive from the back line and organize possession through midfield.
It wasn't particularly effective. Musah struggled to consistently dictate the tempo, and local Milan coverage questioned why Amorim was asking him to perform a role more naturally suited to a distributor such as Adrien Rabiot.
He improved after halftime when he was able to operate in more advanced positions and use his athleticism to move the ball forward. His ability to carry the ball through pressure has never been the issue. His limitations are more apparent when he is expected to organize the entire buildup from deep positions, consistently choosing the right pass and controlling the rhythm of possession.
Musah can be a valuable midfielder without becoming that type of player.
Milan needs to find a role that takes advantage of what he does well while continuing to develop the less natural parts of his game.
Weston McKennie, Juventus
McKennie's frustrating start to the season continued Sunday as he was removed at halftime of Juventus' 1-1 draw at Cagliari.
He started in an advanced attacking role but struggled to consistently connect with his teammates. Juventus-focused coverage gave him a 5.5/10, although it also credited him with three key passes and suggested his early yellow card came from a relatively fair challenge.
The larger problem was the structure of Juventus' attack. Luciano Spalletti's 4-2-3-1 frequently looked static, with attacking players occupying spaces too far from the striker to create effective combinations. McKennie was one of several players who struggled to find a useful role in that setup.
His best attacking qualities are his movement, timed runs into the box and ability to combine quickly with teammates. He is less effective when asked to stand in a fixed attacking position and manufacture creativity against a compact defense.
McKennie has built a career out of finding ways to be useful in different roles. He now needs to find another one that works under Spalletti.
Benjamin Cremaschi, Parma
Cremaschi was an unused substitute as Parma lost 3-0 at Inter Milan.
New manager Alberto Gilardino has been evaluating the squad, including giving Cremaschi a start in an October 2 friendly against Virtus Entella.
That provides some encouragement that Cremaschi remains under consideration, but his lack of competitive minutes continues to be disappointing.
After losing substantial playing time to injuries last season, he badly needs a sustained opportunity to establish himself at the Serie A level.
Gianluca Busio, Venezia
Busio remains out with the hamstring injury he suffered last month.
Venezia manager Giovanni Stroppa said that several injured players were approaching returns, but Busio still requires more time.
One interesting indication of his standing came when Stroppa discussed the team's penalty-taking responsibilities. He revealed that Busio would have been his preferred taker if healthy.
That is an encouraging sign of the trust Busio retains at Venezia, where he has become an important part of the midfield.
The injury remains the concern, not his place in the club's plans.
Bundesliga
Joe Scally, Borussia Mönchengladbach
Scally delivered one of his better performances of the season despite Gladbach's 2-1 derby loss at Köln, scoring Gladbach's equalizer in the 39th minute, getting forward to meet Lukas Ullrich's cross and directing a header past the goalkeeper.
It was the reward for an unusually aggressive attacking performance.
Gladbach-focused coverage praised Scally for repeatedly causing problems for Köln defender Borna Sosa. Rather than remaining in a conservative defensive position, Scally looked to push forward and create danger from the right.
He earned a 2.5 grade from GladbachLive, a strong rating on the German scale where 1 is best.
Scally reportedly suffered a facial knock in the second half that caused bleeding and appeared to affect his performance somewhat afterward. Gladbach's overall defensive problems remain substantial, but this was an individual performance that deserves recognition.
For the USMNT, Scally remains a reliable defensive option whose attacking limitations have sometimes made him difficult to use in more aggressive roles.
If he can reproduce some of Sunday’s attacking initiative, he could strengthen his case for a larger role in the next cycle.
Malik Tillman, Bayer Leverkusen
Tillman entered in the 75th minute of Leverkusen's 4-3 win at Mainz, replacing Moussa Diaby with his team already leading 4-2.
He played approximately 15 minutes and didn't register a goal or assist.
The larger story remains his inconsistent place in Leverkusen's starting lineup. Tillman has started several recent matches across league and European competition but has also been used as a late substitute when the manager has rotated his attacking options.
That doesn't necessarily indicate a decline in his standing, but he has yet to establish himself as an unquestioned starter.
The next few weeks should provide a better indication of whether he can secure a more consistent role.
Mathis Albert, Borussia Dortmund
Albert was an unused substitute as Borussia Dortmund squandered a two-goal lead in a 2-2 draw against Werder Bremen.
The 17-year-old continues to make senior matchday squads, which remains encouraging, but he has not yet secured regular competitive minutes.
Dortmund has several established attacking players competing for places, and even a crowded schedule does not guarantee that Albert will see the field.
His next developmental milestone is making the transition from promising young player around the first team to someone trusted with meaningful Bundesliga minutes.
Cole Campbell, Elversberg
Campbell dropped to the bench for Elversberg's 1-0 defeat at Union Berlin, entering in the 71st minute.
Regional German coverage specifically noted that Tom Zimmerschied was selected on the left side instead of Campbell as coach Vincent Wagner adjusted his attacking lineup.
The young American has already demonstrated that he can threaten defenses at this level, including his early-season goal against Bayer Leverkusen. However, he is now facing competition from teammates who are also trying to establish themselves in the attack.
There wasn't enough from his 19-minute appearance to draw any strong conclusions about his individual form.
The important question is whether he returns to the starting lineup next week.
Lennard Maloney, Mainz
Maloney played the final ten minutes of Mainz's 4-3 loss to Leverkusen, replacing Kaishu Sano with his team trailing by two goals.
He had little opportunity to substantially influence the match.
The more concerning development is the ongoing lack of playing time. Maloney has struggled to become an important part of Urs Fischer's midfield rotation and continues to receive scattered substitute opportunities.
He needs a more substantial club role if he hopes to move back into the USMNT discussion.
Ligue 1
Bryan Reynolds, Rennes
Reynolds produced arguably the best performance by an American in Europe this weekend, recording two assists in Rennes' 4-1 victory over Auxerre.
Making his first Ligue 1 start for the club, Reynolds played the full 90 minutes at right back and contributed two very different attacking actions.
His first assist came from an excellent cross that found Adrien Thomasson for Rennes' go-ahead goal. It was a particularly impressive delivery because Reynolds wasn't simply overlapping down the touchline. He received the ball in a more central position and recognized the opportunity to deliver an accurate cross into the box.
The second assist came deep into stoppage time when Reynolds released Boulaye Dia with a well-timed forward pass for Rennes' fourth goal.
The two actions demonstrated why Reynolds can be useful beyond his speed and ability to get up and down the right flank.
His passing can create danger from different positions, allowing him to contribute without needing every possession to end with an overlap.
Manager Franck Haise praised his previous contributions after the game and emphasized the need to rely on a larger group of players during a season that includes European competition.
That doesn't necessarily mean Reynolds has permanently secured the starting position. But after receiving limited opportunities since arriving, two assists in his first league start should give Haise a reason to keep him involved.
Reynolds has spent much of his European career struggling to turn his physical talent into consistent high-level production.
Sunday was a very encouraging step toward changing that.
Mark McKenzie, Toulouse
McKenzie played the full 90 minutes and won an important penalty as Toulouse came from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Monaco, drawing a foul from Nazinho shortly after halftime to provide Toulouse with the opportunity to cut the deficit to 2-1 from the penalty spot.
That was a major contribution to the comeback, however, his overall defensive performance received a more modest evaluation. Regional newspaper La Dépêche gave him a 5/10, reflecting Toulouse's difficulties during the first half.
McKenzie remains a regular starter and an important part of Toulouse's back line.
This was a mixed performance with one significant positive attacking contribution.
Folarin Balogun, Monaco
Balogun entered in the 58th minute of Monaco's 2-2 draw with Toulouse, playing approximately 32 minutes.
The interesting development was his positioning. Balogun replaced a wide attacker rather than starting striker Matthis Abline, suggesting Filipe Luís is willing to use the American in different attacking roles while he works his way back into the rotation.
Balogun won a dangerous free kick late in the match and nearly created a decisive opportunity in stoppage time after breaking forward on a counterattack.
Unfortunately, his attempted final pass toward Ansu Fati was unsuccessful.
The larger concern remains his place in Monaco's attacking hierarchy. Balogun is healthy enough to contribute again, but he has not yet reclaimed the starting striker position.
Tanner Tessmann, Lyon
Tessmann entered in the 77th minute of Lyon's 2-1 defeat at Lens, replacing Tyler Morton.
Lyon's midfield struggled for much of the match, and Morton received particularly poor reviews from French coverage.
That creates an interesting question about why Paulo Fonseca continues to prefer other options ahead of Tessmann.
He has generally performed capably when given opportunities, but he remains outside the club's preferred league lineup.
There wasn't enough time in this appearance to meaningfully evaluate him.
His club situation is becoming more concerning because of the lack of opportunity rather than any obvious decline in his performances.
Gio Reyna, Strasbourg
Reyna was dropped to the bench Sunday as Strasbourg lost 2-1 at Nice. Possibly due to his extensive playing time for the US during the international break.
Manager Hugo Oliveira made five changes to his lineup, including a substantial reshuffling of the midfield. Reyna eventually entered in the 63rd minute alongside Jacobo Ortega, and the substitutions briefly helped Strasbourg retain possession more effectively.
However, the improvements did not translate into dangerous chances. Strasbourg failed to register a shot on target in the second half despite controlling a majority of the possession, and local coverage was critical of the team's attacking performance.
Reyna was not solely responsible for that. The attacking problems existed before he entered, and 27 minutes in a struggling team are not enough to prove he played poorly.
Tim Weah, Marseille
Weah missed Marseille's 2-0 win at Troyes while serving a suspension.
Marseille adjusted its lineup on the right side in his absence, but there is no reason to interpret the victory as evidence that Weah has lost his starting position.
The larger concern remains his inconsistent performances earlier in the season and the disciplinary issues that have interrupted his availability.
He has been trusted with a significant role by Marseille, including serving as captain, but needs to produce more convincing performances when he returns.
Eredivisie
Sergiño Dest, PSV
Dest started and played the full 90 minutes as PSV defeated Heerenveen 2-0, earning a strong 7.6 rating from FotMob, although the broader performance was not as convincing as the final score suggests.
Heerenveen created several dangerous opportunities, particularly in the first half, and PSV benefited from some poor finishing by the visitors.
Dest was not directly involved in either goal, but he continued to perform his regular role at right back, providing PSV with an additional attacking outlet when the team advanced into the opposing half.
His standing at the club remains extremely secure.
The larger question is whether PSV can become more defensively balanced while allowing Dest and its other attacking players to push forward so aggressively.
Ricardo Pepi, PSV
Pepi remains sidelined by the injury he suffered against FC Twente in September.
PSV has not announced a firm return date, and Peter Bosz continues to manage the striker position without the American.
The timing was particularly unfortunate because Pepi had established himself as a regular starter and was scoring consistently before the setback.
There is little to evaluate until he returns.
For now, the priority is ensuring the injury does not become another extended interruption to a season that had started so promisingly.
Video sources: US Soccer Comps — Freeman; MLS — Philadelphia vs. Real Salt Lake; Red Bull New York — San Diego; ESPN FC — Alavés vs. Atlético.