Italian Serie B side Venezia extended its unbeaten run to four matches on Wednesday night with Tanner Tessmann playing the hero.
Tessmann’s long-range free kick proved to be the winning goal in a 2-1 road triumph over Sampdoria. The American midfielder delivered the go-ahead goal for Venezia in the 89th minute as Paolo Vanoli’s squad moved to second place in the Serie B standings. Tessmann lined up a free kick from more than 30 yards out and snuck his right-footed shot into the bottom-right corner. It marked Tessmann’s first goal since April 15, which also came in Serie B play.
The former FC Dallas player logged 90 minutes in midfield, completing 84% of his passes, winning five duels, and making three interceptions defensively. Venezia will next visit Cittadella on Sunday in its final match before the September international break.
Elsewhere in Europe, Paxten Aaronson made his first Eintracht Frankfurt start as the Bundesliga side reached the UEFA Conference League group stage. Mark McKenzie and Genk advanced to the UEFA Conference League group stage after eliminating Adana Demirspor on penalty kicks. Djordje Mihailovic and AZ Alkmaar also reached the tournament group stage.
In England, Antonee Robinson, Tim Ream and Fulham defeated London rivals Tottenham in the EFL Cup second round. Auston Trusty made his Sheffield United debut in a EFL Cup loss to Lincoln City.
Elsewhere, Johnny Cardoso and Internacional advanced to the Copa Libertadores semifinals.
Here is a closer look at this weekend’s Americans Abroad:
Europe
UEFA Champions League Qualifying
Sam Vines started and played 90 minutes in Royal Antwerp’s 2-1 second leg win over AEK Athens on Wednesday. Royal Antwerp advanced 3-1 on aggregate.
Sergino Dest started and played 90 minutes in PSV’s 5-1 second leg win over Rangers on Wednesday. PSV advanced 7-3 on aggregate.
Malik Tillman came off the bench and played three minutes for PSV.
Ricardo Pepi dressed but did not play for PSV.
Erik Palmer-Brown dressed but did not play in Panathinaikos 1-0 second leg loss to Braga on Tuesday. Braga advanced 3-1 on aggregate.
UEFA Europa League Qualifying
George Bello dressed but did not play in LASK’s 1-1 second leg draw with Zrinjski Mostar on Thursday. LASK advanced 3-2 on aggregate.
UEFA Europa Conference League Qualifying
Mark McKenzie started and played 120 minutes in Genk’s 1-0 second leg loss to Adana Demirspor on Thursday. Genk advanced 5-4 on penalty kicks after teams were level 2-2 on aggregate.
Paxten Aaronson started and played 83 minutes in Eintracht Frankfurt’s 2-0 second leg win over Levski Sofia on Thursday. Frankfurt advanced 3-1 on aggregate.
Timmy Chandler did not dress for Eintracht Frankfurt.
Djordje Mihailovic came off the bench and played eight minutes in AZ Alkmaar’s 3-3 second leg draw with Brann on Thursday. AZ Alkmaar advanced 6-5 on penalty kicks after teams were level 4-4 on aggregate.
Henry Wingo dressed but did not play in Ferencvaros 3-0 second leg win over Zalgiris Vilnius on Thursday. Ferencvaros advanced 7-0 on aggregate.
England
EFL Cup
Matt Turner started, made ONE SAVE, and played 90 minutes in Nottingham Forest’s 1-0 loss to Burnley on Wednesday.
Ethan Horvath dressed but did not play for Nottingham Forest.
Antonee Robinson, Tim Ream started and played 90 minutes in Fulham’s 5-3 penalty shootout win over Tottenham on Tuesday. The teams tied 1-1 after 90 minutes.
Chris Richards started and played 90 minutes in Crystal Palace’s 4-2 win over Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday.
Auston Trusty started and played 90 minutes in Sheffield United’s 3-2 penalty shootout loss to Lincoln City on Wednesday. The teams were tied 0-0 after 90 minutes.
Tyler Adams is OUT (Injury) for AFC Bournemouth.
Josh Sargent is OUT (Injury) for Norwich City.
Italy
Serie B
Tanner Tessmann started, scored ONE GOAL, and played 90 minutes in Venezia’s 2-1 win over Sampdoria on Wednesday.
Gianluca Busio started and played 61 minutes for Venezia.
South America
Copa Libertadores
Johnny Cardoso started and played 77 minutes in Internacional’s 2-0 second leg win over Bolivar on Tuesday. Internacional advanced 3-0 on aggregate.
And Tessmann replaces Johnny who won’t be able to recover from his injury.
Also good to see P. Aaronson get a start. Anyone see the game?
Not before we start seeing Tessman called up to the USMNT.
Don’t understand the snubs from GB. Must be a friend of Gio’s?
I mean it’s not like it’s Lleget and Acosta in front of him on this roster.
Tillman (PSV)
Musah (ACMilan)
McKennie (Juve)
Johnnie (Internacional Libertadores Semis)
Luca (Celta Vigo)
So the only guy that’s much of a question is Cremanschi who they are trying to keep away from Argentina.
I too was disappointed that Tessmann didn’t get a call-up. I think he could be a good depth option this cycle as a utility midfielder. His size could also be helpful at the end of games to help defend/attack set pieces and/or crosses…as the current pool is a bit smaller than the USMNT’s of the past have been.
I think he could be a whole lot more than that. I’d like to see where his touch, awareness, and ability to turn with the ball is…but in terms of size, athleticism, strength, shot from distance, dead-ball ability (he takes dead balls ahead of Busio at Venezia who is notably very good at that) and ability on the ball, he’s by a fair margin the best in the pool. He’s definitely passed Busio in the Venezia pecking order…and Busio showed in the Gold Cup he’s improved quite a bit and was a pretty durn good midfielder. There’s also several Serie A teams looking at Tessmann.
Again, I want to see what his decision-making and composure is over the course of a game. Some guys can handle the jump up in pace-of-play at the International level, some can’t. But if those are up to par, the dude is probably going to be our top DM and sooner rather than later, IMHO.
Q do you know does he take most of the FKs or was he just taking them after Busio subbed out. I watched their cup loss vs Spezia but couldn’t remember.