Haji Wright’s goalscoring abilities have helped keep Turkish club Antalyaspor above the Super Lig drop line and Wednesday featured another stellar Man of the Match performance from the American striker.
Wright scored twice in Antalyaspor’s 3-3 league draw with Istanbulspor, moving Alfons Groenendijk’s squad six points clear of the relegation zone. The 25-year-old’s 88th minute penalty kick equalizer helped tie the match and ultimately give the visitors a share of the spoils.
After Istanbulspor captured a 2-1 lead in the 45th minute, Wright tied things up with his first goal of the match. Guray Vural’s pass was drilled home by Wright in the 51st minute as the visitors hit back for a second time. Antalyaspor needed a third comeback to earn one point on the afternoon after Emeka Eze hauled down Bertug Yildirim in the box. Wright stepped up and slotted his penalty kick down the middle of the net for a 3-3 result.
Wright also won four of his five duels and created five shots in total. He now has 15 league goals this season, including five in his last five appearances. Antalyaspor next hosts Sivasspor on Monday before a final April match at Fatih Karagumruk on April 29.
In England, Zack Steffen and Ethan Horvath both clinched spots into the EFL Championship promotion playoffs. Steffen registered his first assist at pro level in Middlesbrough’s 3-1 win over Hull City. Horvath and Luton Town fought back to tie Reading 1-1.
Here is a closer look at this weekend’s Americans Abroad:
Europe
Champions League
Christian Pulisic dressed but did not play in Chelsea’s 2-0 second leg loss to Real Madrid on Tuesday. Real Madrid advanced 4-0 on aggregate.
Europa Conference League
Djordje Mihailovic came off the bench and played nine minutes in AZ Alkmaar’s 2-0 second leg win over Anderlecht on Thursday. AZ Alkmaar advanced following a 4-1 penalty shootout result.
England
Championship
Zack Steffen started, registered ONE ASSIST, made TWO SAVES, and played 90 minutes in Middlesbrough’s 3-1 win over Hull City on Wednesday.
Ethan Horvath started, made ONE SAVE, and played 90 minutes in Luton Town’s 1-1 draw with Reading on Wednesday.
Josh Sargent started and played 90 minutes in Norwich City’s 1-1 draw with QPR on Wednesday.
Lynden Gooch started and played 90 minutes in Sunderland’s 1-1 draw with Huddersfield on Tuesday.
Auston Trusty did not dress (Illness) in Birmingham City’s 1-0 win over Millwall on Tuesday.
Daryl Dike did not dress (Injury) for West Bromwich Albion.
Duane Holmes is OUT FOR SEASON (Injury) for Huddersfield.
League Two
Jonathan Tomkinson did not dress in Stevenage’s 1-0 win over Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday.
Turkey
Super Lig
Haji Wright started, scored TWO GOALS, and played 90 minutes in Antalyaspor’s 3-3 draw with Istanbulspor on Wednesday.
South America
Cop Libertadores
Johnny Cardoso started and played 45 minutes in Internacional’s 1-0 win over Metropolitanos FC on Tuesday.
He needs to move to a higher level. I think he’d do well in the Bundesliga.
If Balogun decides not to rep the US….. Wright and Pepi are the two best strikers with Sargent as the third guy.
Ebobissie should definitely be getting a look for the Gold Cup.
better late than never…I think Haji is starting to come into his own as a ST, I’d love to see him at the GC this summer along with Vazquez