One of the surprising names left off the U.S. men’s national team roster for October’s World Cup Qualifiers was Jordan Pefok and the striker will return to league action this weekend against Luzern.
Pefok has been one of Young Boys’ best players in early stages of the new season, scoring nine goals in all competitions, including five in seven Super League appearances to date. The physical forward was left off Gregg Berhalter’s roster this month and will be itching to deliver a strong period in Switzerland to make the November qualifying roster for matches against Mexico and Jamaica.
The 25-year-old’s biggest moment to date this season was his winning goal against Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League and a home date with ninth-place Luzern on Saturday will be a good opportunity to add to his goalscoring tally.
Elsewhere, Brenden Aaronson and Red Bull Salzburg visits Rheindorf Altach in Austrian Bundesliga play while Joe Scally and Borussia Monchengladbach host Pellegrino Matarazzo’s Stuttgart. Josh Sargent and Norwich City face a tough test against Brighton & Hove Albion, who have been one of the surprises in England so far. Sergiño Dest and Yunus Musah could meet in La Liga play when Barcelona takes on Valencia.
Here is a closer look at this weekend’s Americans Abroad action:
England
PREMIER LEAGUE
Zack Steffen and Manchester City host Burnley on Saturday.
Josh Sargent and Norwich City visit Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.
Christian Pulisic is OUT (Injury) for Chelsea.
LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
Antonee Robinson, Tim Ream and Fulham host QPR on Saturday.
Duane Holmes and Huddersfield host Hull City on Saturday.
Ethan Horvath and Nottingham Forest host Blackpool on Saturday.
Matthew Olosunde is OUT (Achilles injury) for Preston North End’s match vs. Derby County on Saturday.
LEAGUE ONE
Lynden Gooch and Sunderland visit Gillingham on Saturday.
Germany
BUNDESLIGA
John Brooks and Wolfsburg visit Union Berlin on Saturday.
Joe Scally and Borussia Moenchengladbach host Pellegrino Matarazzo and Stuttgart on Saturday.
Tyler Adams, Jesse Marsch and RB Leipzig host Bochum on Saturday.
Chris Richards and Hoffenheim host Cologne on Friday.
Timmy Chandler and Eintracht Frankfurt host Hertha Berlin on Saturday.
Julian Green, Timothy Tillman and Greuther Furth host Bochum on Saturday.
Gio Reyna is OUT (hamstring injury) for Borussia Dortmund’s match vs. Mainz on Saturday.
3. LIGA
Bryang Kayo and Viktoria Berlin host Osnabruck on Friday.
Terrence Boyd and Hallescher host Saarbrucken on Saturday.
Johan Gomez and FC Zwickau host Duisburg on Saturday.
Spain
LA LIGA
Sergino Dest and Barcelona host Yunus Musah and Valencia on Saturday.
Matt Miazga and Alaves host Real Betis on Monday.
Matthew Hoppe and Mallorca visit Real Sociedad on Friday.
SEGUNDA DIVISION
Shaq Moore and Tenerife visit Las Palmas on Saturday.
Italy
Serie A
Weston McKennie and Juventus host Bryan Reynolds and AS Roma on Sunday.
Gianluca Busio, Tanner Tessmann and Venezia host Fiorentina on Monday.
Serie B
Andrija Novakovich and Frosinone visit Cosenza on Saturday.
France
LIGUE 1
Tim Weah and Lille visit Clermont Foot on Saturday.
Konrad De La Fuente and Marseille host Lorient on Sunday.
Nicholas Gioacchini and Montpellier host Lens on Sunday.
Erik Palmer-Brown and Troyes host Nice on Sunday.
Portugal
PRIMEIRA LIGA
Reggie Cannon and Boavista host Belenenses on Monday.
Alex Mendez and Vizela host Benfica on Sunday.
Netherlands
Luca De La Torre and Heracles visit Go Ahead Eagles on Saturday.
Turkey
DeAndre Yedlin and Galatasaray host Konyaspor on Sunday.
Tyler Boyd and Rizespor visit Giresunspor on Saturday.
Haji Wright and Antalyaspor visit Sivasspor on Saturday.
Austria
ADMIRAL Bundesliga
Brenden Aaronson and Red Bull Salzburg visit Rheindorf Altach on Saturday.
2. Liga
Ulysses Llanez and SKN St. Polten host Grazer AK on Friday.
Belgium
Mark McKenzie and Genk visit Sporting Charleroi on Sunday.
Chris Durkin and Sint-Truiden host Anderlecht on Sunday.
Sam Vines and Royal Antwerp visit Zulte Waregem on Saturday.
Owen Otasowie and Club Brugge host Kortrijk on Friday.
Switzerland
SWISS SUPER LEAGUE
Jordan Pefok and Young Boys host Luzern on Saturday.
Denmark
Superliagen
Christian Cappis and Brondby host Vejle on Sunday.
Emmanuel Sabbi and Odense host Randers on Sunday.
Jonathan Amon is OUT (knee injury) for Nordsjaelland’s hosting of Midtjylland on Sunday.
Scotland
PREMIERSHIP
Cameron Carter-Vickers and Celtic visit Motherwell on Saturday.
Christian Ramirez and Aberdeen visit Dundee FC on Saturday.
Ian Harkes and Dundee United visit Hibernian on Saturday.
Sweden
Allsvenskan
Jeffrey Gal and Degerfors host Degerfors on Saturday.
Romain Gall and Malmo visit Nebiyou Perry and Ostersunds on Saturday.
Mexico
Liga MX
Sebastian Saucedo and Pumas host FC Juarez on Sunday.
Argentina
Liga Profesional
Joel Sonora and Banfield visit Lanus on Saturday.
Alan Sonora and Independiente visit Aldosivi on Sunday.
Brazil
Serie A
Johnny Cardoso and Internacional visit Palmeiras on Sunday.
Some people are wondering why Zardes was picked for this window. Here’s one possible reason. Especially note the 2nd goalhttps://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=zardes+goal+vs.+toronto&docid=608005899975479441&mid=831F2D8502D9A4A4643B831F2D8502D9A4A4643B&view=detail&FORM=VIRE.
The link didn’t come out as well as I hoped. You can also google Zardes goals vs. Montreal and then click on Player of the Week. There are 2 videos and be sure and see the 2nd.
Pulisic is already ruled out for Brentford? It’s been hard to find any updates but I assume it would be news if he’d resumed normal training this week.
It’s a bummer that the nasty injuries that Reyna & Pulisic picked up from the September WCQ cycle have lingered for so long. On the 11 Yanks post-US & Costa Rico game video, Filipo brought up that there’s a chance that Gio may not be recovered soon enough to join in for the November cycle.
How Zardes was picked over Sargeant and Pefok is mind boggling.