Stoke City’s emphatically booked its spot into the EFL Cup third round this week with Lynden Gooch celebrating a major individual milestone in the process.
Gooch made his 300th career appearance in England as the Potters rolled past Middlesbrough 5-0 at the Riverside Stadium. The former U.S. men’s national team full back played 28 minutes off the bench, watching Million Manhoef add a late brace to a lopsided scoreline.
After joining Stoke City last season, Gooch has remained a consistent player for the Potters. He’s made 35 appearances for the EFL Championship side, continuing to be a veteran leader in the squad. Gooch has also helped the Potters earn back-to-back league cup wins this summer, setting them up for a third-round date with Fleetwood Town at the Bet365 Stadium.
Their league form will need to change though after suffering two defeats through the opening three matches of the new Championship campaign. The Potters welcome Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth Argyle to town on Saturday in their final match before the September international break.
Elsewhere in England, Gabriel Slonina and Donovan Pines helped Barnsley to a second round upset of Sheffield United. Duane Holmes assisted once in Preston North End’s 5-0 romp over Harrogate Town.
In Italy, Kristoffer Lund helped Palermo to three points in midweek Serie B play.
Here is a closer look at this week’s Americans Abroad:
Europe
Europa League Qualifying
George Bello started and played 90 minutes in LASK’s 1-0 second leg loss to FC FCSB on Thursday. FC FSCB advanced 2-1 on aggregate.
Conference League Qualifying
Johnny Cardoso started and played 90 minutes in Real Betis 3-0 second leg win over Kryvbas on Thursday. Real Betis advanced 5-0 on aggregate.
Lennard Maloney started and played 90 minutes in FC Heidenheim’s 3-2 second leg win over Hacken on Thursday. Heidenheim advanced 5-3 on aggregate.
Matt Olosunde dressed but did not play in The New Saints 3-0 second leg win over FK Panevezys on Thursday. TNS advanced 3-0 on aggregate.
England
EFL Cup
Gabriel Slonina started, made FOUR SAVES, and played 90 minutes in Barnsley’s 1-0 win over Sheffield United on Tuesday.
Donovan Pines started and played 90 minutes for Barnsley.
Auston Trusty came off the bench and played 28 minutes for Sheffield United.
Duane Holmes started, registered ONE ASSIST, and played 90 minutes in Preston North End’s 5-0 win over Harrogate Town on Tuesday.
Chris Richards came off the bench and played 81 minutes in Crystal Palace’s 4-0 win over Norwich City on Tuesday.
Josh Sargent dressed but did not play for Norwich City.
Lynden Gooch came off the bench and played 28 minutes in Stoke City’s 5-0 win over Middlesbrough on Tuesday.
Aidan Morris came off the bench and played 12 minutes for Middlesbrough.
Haji Wright dressed but did not play in Coventry City’s 1-0 win over Oxford United on Tuesday.
Antonee Robinson did not dress in Fulham’s 2-0 win over Birmingham City on Tuesday.
Reggie Cannon did not dress in QPR’s 4-1 penalty shootout win over Luton Town on Tuesday. The teams were tied 1-1 after 90 minutes.
Luca Koleosho did not dress in Burnley’s 2-0 loss to Wolves on Wednesday.
Ethan Horvath did not dress in Cardiff City’s 5-3 loss to Southampton on Wednesday.
Matt Turner dressed but did not play in Nottingham Forest’s 4-3 penalty shootout loss to Newcastle United on Wednesday. The teams were tied 1-1 after 90 minutes.
Tyler Adams is OUT (Injury) for Bournemouth.
Daryl Dike is OUT (Achilles injury) for West Bromwich Albion.
Italy
Serie B
Kristoffer Lund started and played 90 minutes in Palermo’s 1-0 win over Cremonese on Tuesday.
Andrija Novakovich started and played 90 minutes in Bari’s 1-1 draw with Sassuolo on Tuesday.
I wish him well. He has had some great moments and he just looks like a striker.
I hope he returns at a level that will add yet more confusion regarding who should be the USMNT’s go to forward next spring.
Dike said on tik tok this week that he’ll be back training in 4-6 weeks. He says he’s doing a lot of running to get his body ready. Looking like he could be back before Christmas fingers crossed.