Middlesbrough is in desperate need of moving upward in the English Football League Championship table and American goalkeeper Zack Steffen will be relied on to help spark the relegation-threatened club during a busy run of matches.
Steffen and Middlesbrough visit Wigan Athletic on Wednesday, seeking a fourth league win of the current season. The Manchester City loanee has made 10 appearances in league play this season, most recently helping Middlesbrough from avoiding a larger margin of defeat against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday. Steffen has remained Middlesbrough’s No. 1 goalkeeper despite Chris Wilder’s firing earlier this fall, fighting off competition from Liam Roberts over recent weeks. The 27-year-old has seven more opportunities with Middlesbrough, providing Steffen with a great chance to head into World Cup involvement on a positive run of form.
In England, Christian Pulisic and Chelsea visit Brentford. Antonee Robinson, Tim Ream and Fulham host Aston Villa.
In Spain, Yunus Musah and Valencia visit Sevilla.
In Germany, Gio Reyna and Kevin Paredes headline the American contingent in DFB Pokal action this week.
In Belgium, Mark McKenzie and Bryan Reynolds go head-to-head in league play.
Elsewhere, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Celtic visit Motherwell in Scottish League Cup action. James Sands and Rangers host Dundee FC in the same competition.
Here is a closer look at this week’s Americans Abroad action:
Europe
Europa League
Matt Turner and Arsenal host Richie Ledezma and PSV on Thursday.
England
Premier League
Christian Pulisic and Chelsea visit Brentford on Wednesday.
Antonee Robinson, Tim Ream and Fulham host Aston Villa on Thursday.
Brenden Aaronson, Tyler Adams and Leeds United visit Leicester City on Thursday.
Chris Richards is OUT (Injury) for Crystal Palace.
Championship
Josh Sargent and Norwich City host Ethan Horvath and Luton Town on Tuesday.
Duane Holmes and Huddersfield Town host Preston North End on Tuesday.
Auston Trusty and Birmingham City host Burnley on Wednesday.
Zack Steffen and Middlesbrough visit Wigan Athletic on Wednesday.
Lynden Gooch and Sunderland visit Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday.
Vaughn Covil is OUT (Injury) for Hull City.
Daryl Dike is OUT (Injury) for West Bromwich Albion.
Spain
La Liga
Yunus Musah and Valencia visit Sevilla on Tuesday.
Luca De La Torre and Celta Vigo visit Real Valladolid on Wednesday.
Germany
DFB Pokal
Joe Scally and Borussia Moenchengladbach visit Darmstadt on Tuesday.
Gio Reyna and Borussia Dortmund visit Hannover on Wednesday.
Jordan Pefok and Union Berlin host FC Heidenheim on Wednesday.
George Bello and Arminia Bielefeld visit VfB Stuttgart on Wednesday.
Kevin Paredes and Wolfsburg visit Eintracht Braunschweig on Tuesday.
Justin Che and Hoffenheim host Schalke on Tuesday.
Timmy Chandler and Eintracht Frankfurt visit Stuttgarter Kickers on Tuesday.
Netherlands
KNVB Cup
Ricardo Pepi and FC Groningen visit FC Dordrecht on Wednesday.
Taylor Booth and FC Utrecht visit Sportlust ’46 on Thursday.
Cole Bassett and Fortuna Sittard visit NEC Nijmegen on Wednesday.
Scotland
League Cup
Cameron Carter-Vickers and Celtic visit Joe Efford and Motherwell on Wednesday.
Ian Harkes and Dundee United visit Kilmarnock on Tuesday.
Malik Tillman, James Sands and Rangers host Dundee FC on Wednesday.
Christian Ramirez, Dante Polvara and Aberdeen host Partick Thistle on Wednesday.
Belgium
First Division A
Sam Vines and Royal Antwerp host Oostende on Thursday.
Mark McKenzie and Genk visit Bryan Reynolds and Westerlo on Tuesday.
Marlon Fossey and Standard Liege visit Mechelen on Wednesday.
Owen Otasowie and Club Brugge host Sint-Truiden on Wednesday.
Austria
Cup
Sebastian Soto and Austria Klagenfurt visit Dornbirn on Tuesday.
Denmark
DBU Pokalen
Christian Cappis and Brondby visit Aarhus Framed on Wednesday.
Sweden
Allsvenskan
Forrest Lasso, Joe Corona and Sundsvall host IFK Varnamo on Wednesday.
Jeffrey Gal, Joe Gyau and Degerfors host Goteborg on Thursday.
Romain Gall and Malmo host Djurgarden on Thursday.
More fluff from another coach about Pulisic. Potter said that Pulisic has to be ready when he gets his chance to play. Uhm…… he already did when he started and scored. Came in for ten minutes and provided the game winning assist. So…. Not saying Pulisic hasn’t had bad games during his career, but he seems to be the player who gets singled out the most with his time at Dortmund and Chelsea. And why?
It’s become comical at this point how many more chances other attacking players from other nationalities get over Pulisic. Havertz has done nothing to continue to warrant starts.
Would be nice if Long and Zimmerman could train with some European teams since it will be a month they will be out without game time due to their MLS seasons ending.
Even better would be Long not going to Qatar. I know, I know… Not happening. Any news on who, if anyone, would actually give these guys a place to train? Maybe they can join the LAFC traveling squad.
I agree with you on Long, Quaker Otis😂✌. Would rather see Trusty, Ream, CCV, EPB, Sands, or Glad.
Long is going and probably a starter. Look at the options. Chris Richards has barely played this fall season, and could actually miss out with so little time left. CCV is on the bus, but unsure if that is really an upgrade. EPB hasn’t impressed in France or for the US. McKenzie hasn’t impressed for the US. Sands is just not ready, if you follow him at Rangers. Ream is considered too slow. That leaves Trusty, who has never been called in. There really are not a lot of good choices.
See my comment below.
How has EPB not impressed in France? Curious? He has started all but 1 or two of there games.
Long is terrible when he is playing regularly. Now, not playing for a month….
USMNT will be training MLS players who are not in the playoffs starting next Tuesday. Not sure the location but I assume in US so others can join when eliminated. I believe the pre-roster is due Friday so I’m not sure if everyone on it will show for camp or just the likely WC call ups.
Nice, thanks for that Johnny.