Gabriel Slonina and Donovan Pines are dancing their way into the third round of EFL Cup.
Barnsley earned a 1-0 derby victory over EFL Championship visitors Sheffield United on Tuesday, with both American players contributing to the result. Slonina registered a four-save clean sheet while Pines logged 90 minutes for the first time this season.
Max Watters’ finish in the 52nd minute proved to be the difference as Darrell Clarke’s men earned a first head-to-head win since April 2018.
Slonina, who has quickly grabbed the No. 1 spot in between the posts, was up to the task again for Barnsley. He earned EFL Cup Player of the First Round honors earlier this week and delivered another sensational performance.
Pines won four duels, made five clearances, and completed 87% of his passes in the match.
Follow American Auston Trusty played 28 minutes off the bench for the visiting Blades.
Barnsley will resume League One play on Saturday at Crawley Town. Sheffield United hosts Watford in Championship action on Sunday.
Duane Holmes assists once in Preston’s lopsided win
Duane Holmes made his first start of the season as Preston North End routed Harrogate Town 5-0 away from home.
The American midfielder assisted on Preston’s third goal of the night, logging 90 minutes in Paul Heckingbottom’s squad. Holmes featured on the right side of the Preston midfield, making six defensive recoveries and having 94 touches on the night.
Sam Greenwood scored twice earlier in the match before Holmes set up Milutin Osmajic in the 39th minute. Osmajic added his second goal only six minutes later before capping off his hat trick in the 83rd minute.
Preston next travels to Oxford United in Championship play on Saturday.
Chris Richards features in Crystal Palace’s romp over Norwich City
Chris Richards started Tuesday evening on Oliver Glasner’s bench but ended the night with 80+ minutes under his belt.
Richards replaced Chadi Riad in the 10th minute of Crystal Palace’s 4-0 second round victory over Norwich City. The American defender partnered Marc Guehi and Tyrick Michell in the heart of the Eagles defense, completing 97% of his passes (57/59).
Daichi Kamada opened the scoring for Crystal Palace in the second minute before the Eagles pulled away in the second half. Jean-Philippe Mateta scored twice in an 11-minute span to extend the hosts lead at Selhurst Park before Eberechi Eze added his name to the scoresheet with two minutes to play.
The Eagles travel to Chelsea on Sunday, still seeking their first Premier League win of the summer.
Josh Sargent did not feature for the Canaries despite being named to the bench.
Here is a look at the rest of the Americans Abroad performances in Tuesday’s EFL Cup action:
Lynden Gooch played 28 minutes in Stoke City’s 5-0 road victory over Middlesbrough.
Aidan Morris played the final 12 minutes for Middlesbrough.
Haji Wright dressed but did not play in Coventry City’s 1-0 home win over Oxford United.
Antonee Robinson did not dress for Fulham in the Cottagers’ 2-0 win over Birmingham City.
Reggie Cannon did not dress in QPR’s 4-1 penalty shootout victory over Luton Town. The teams were tied 1-1 after 90 minutes.