James Sands made his return to Rangers backline on Tuesday night, helping the Scottish Premiership club earn a favorable first leg draw against PSV in UEFA Champions League qualifying.
Sands logged 90 minutes for Giovanni Van Bronckhorst’s squad in a 2-2 draw with PSV at Ibrox Stadium, making his return following a slight illness over the weekend. The U.S. men’s national team defender partnered Connor Goldson in Rangers’ 4-3-3 set up as he continued to rack up minutes in the early stages of the new season. Sands completed 94% of his passes, completed one tackle, and made two interceptions, helping Rangers head to Eindhoven next week with much still to play for. Rangers will travel to Hibernian in Premiership action on Saturday before making the 700-mile trip to Eindhoven next Wednesday.
Elsewhere in England, Josh Sargent scored his first goal of the season in Norwich City’s home win over Huddersfield Town. Zack Steffen made two saves in Middlesbrough’s draw with Stoke City. Auston Trusty logged 90 minutes in Birmingham City’s 1-1 draw with Watford. Lynden Gooch scored a stellar goal for Sunderland in a 2-1 loss to Sheffield United.
In Europe, Sam Vines and Josh Cohen both logged 90 minutes apiece for their clubs while Konrad de la Fuente made his Olympiakos debut in Europa League qualifying.
Here is a closer look at this week’s Americans Abroad:
Europe
Champions League Qualifying
James Sands started and played 90 minutes in Rangers 2-2 first leg draw with PSV on Tuesday.
Malik Tillman started and played 71 minutes for Rangers.
Josh Cohen started, made TWO SAVES, and played 90 minutes in Maccabi Haifa’s 3-2 first leg win over Red Star Belgrade on Wednesday.
Richie Ledezma is OUT (Injury) for PSV.
Europa League Qualifying
Henry Wingo started and played 90 minutes in Ferencvaros 4-0 first leg win over Shamrock Rovers on Thursday.
Konrad de la Fuente came off the bench and played 11 minutes in Olympiakos 1-1 first leg draw with Apollon Limassol on Thursday.
Romain Gall is OUT (Injury) for Malmo.
Conference League Qualifying
Sam Vines started and played 90 minutes in Royal Antwerp’s 1-1 first leg draw with Istanbul Basaksehir on Thursday.
Rokas Pukstas and Hajduk Split visit Villarreal on Thursday.
England
Championship
Lynden Gooch started, scored ONE GOAL, and played 90 minutes in Sunderland’s 2-1 loss to Sheffield United on Wednesday.
Josh Sargent started, scored ONE GOAL, and played 68 minutes in Norwich City’s 2-1 win over Huddersfield Town on Tuesday.
Duane Holmes started and played 69 minutes for Huddersfield Town.
Auston Trusty started and played 90 minutes in Birmingham City’s 1-1 draw with Watford on Tuesday.
Zack Steffen started, made TWO SAVES, and played 90 minutes in Middlesbrough’s 2-2 draw with Stoke City on Wednesday.
Matthew Hoppe dressed but did not play for Middlesbrough.
Ethan Horvath started, made ONE SAVE, and played 90 minutes in Luton Town’s 2-0 loss to Bristol City on Tuesday.
Matthew Olosunde did not dress in Preston North End’s 0-0 draw with Rotherham United on Tuesday.
South America
Argentina
Alan Sonora started and played 90 minutes in Independiente’s 1-1 draw with Huracan on Tuesday.
Joel Sonora and Velez Sarsfield visit Aldosivi on Thursday.