Richie Ledezma’s resurgence at right back continued for PSV as the reigning champions remained perfect in Eredvisie play Saturday.
Ledezma logged his latest 90 minutes in PSV’s 2-0 home victory over NEC Nijmegen. The 24-year-old earned SBI Americans Abroad Player of the Week honors, continuing to be a regular in Peter Bosz’s squad. He completed 95% of his passes, made 15 defensive recoveries, and drew one foul at his right back slot.
Ledezma, who made his name to date as an attacking midfielder, has made the most of his new opportunities in the squad. Now he will gear up for a head-to-head showdown with Serie A side Juventus, as well as fellow U.S. men’s national team teammates Tim Weah and Weston McKennie.
A new lease on life could also helped Ledezma force his way back into the USMNT picture this October as Mauricio Pochettino takes over as head coach.
Here is a look at some of the other top Americans Abroad performers from this past week:
Christian Pulisic
Christian Pulisic returned to play with a bang for AC Milan.
Pulisic scored one penalty kick goal and added one assist in a 4-0 Serie A triumph over Venezia. The USMNT attacker set up Youssouf Fofana on a corner kick for AC Milan’s second goal of the first half before scoring from the spot not long after.
Pulisic delivered a strong 79 minutes in the match.
Brandon Vazquez
Make it three-straight goalscoring performances for Brandon Vazquez.
Vazquez scored after four minutes in Monterrey’s eventual 2-0 road Liga MX win over Santos Laguna. The former FC Cincinnati standout’s top-shelf finish propelled Monterrey on their way to their third road win of the summer schedule.
Vazquez will continue to earn starts with goals coming at a premium.
Cameron Carter-Vickers
Another clean sheet victory for Scottish leaders Celtic featured a dominant performance from Cameron Carter-Vickers.
Carter-Vickers logged 90 minutes in defense as Celtic defeated visiting Hearts 2-0 in Glasgow. The USMNT defender won seven duels, made six interceptions, and seven recoveries as Brendan Rodgers’ men stayed perfect at 5-0-0 in league play.
Now, UEFA Champions League play starts up this week for Carter-Vickers and Co.
Luca Koleosho
Burnley earned a statement win on Saturday with dual-national attacker Luca Koleosho delivering the winner at Elland Road.
Koleosho capped off a fantastic Burnley counter attack in an eventual 1-0 road triumph. The winger’s right-footed finish nestled into the bottom-left corner after 18 minutes, giving Scott Parker’s squad a lead they wouldn’t relinquish on the road.
Despite reported interest of a move away earlier this summer, Koleosho looks set to play a key part for the Clarets.
What did you think of these individual performances this past weekend? Was there anyone left off the list that you would’ve added?
Share your thoughts below.
Juve clubbed Richie like a baby seal. I am glad he is getting time but at a high level, he is definitely not it.
25 minutes in and Juve rampaging down Richie’s side like housewives through the Aldi’s isle of shame. At least Weston’s goal came from a play down the other side.
Have to say Ledezma should earn a look for the USMNT for RB.
No, he should not. He’s only playing RB as a stop gap until Karsdop is ready or Dest returns. He gets torched once or twice a game. PSV routinely has 65-75 of the ball so he can operate as a passer and has to do very little defending. I love Richie’s game and would be excited if he got called in but not as a RB. We’ll see how he does against Juventus this week. I think it might be scary.
He seems to be getting better every week. Just saying. And Dest played mainly as a LB with PSV.
It’s not like Dest hasn’t been exposed defensively many times as well even at PSV.
But yes we shall see.
JR,
“No, he should not. He’s only playing RB as a stop gap until Karsdop is ready or Dest returns. He gets torched once or twice a game”
They say the same thing about Trent Alexander-Arnold and his defensive skills, but he still gets to play a lot. Some teams are willing to put up with defensive lapses in exchange for offensive contributions. Dest was not out there because he was PSV’s defensive terminator.
Ritchie is new to RB. He’s learning. Who knows how good at defense he might get? If that is his ticket to a first team job, he’ll work his butt off at it.
If Ritchie is still at RB when Dest gets back that tells you that Boaz appears to be willing to tolerate Ritchie’s growing pains.
The important thing here is Richie is getting regular playing time, building up his fitness and sharpness, improving his defensive profile.
If he he shifts back to midfield upon Dest’s return being a better defender won’t kill Ritchie.
It won’t kill Sergino either if he moves to midfield and they leave Ritchie at RB.
Ritchie as PSV’s regular RB until Sergino gets back gives Pochettino options. Let Pochettino decide who should be the RB.
Options are good.
Guys this isn’t Serge or TAA not good at defense. Serge looks like a shut down textbook defensive RB compared to Richie. This is getting cooked by average guys on bad teams. PSV is so much better than the teams they’ve played that he’s only having to defend a handful of times and not showing very well on that end of the field. I openly admit I’m a Richie “fanboy”, his left foot should be wrapped in gold leaf and put on display, but he’s not a NT RB. They signed Rick Karsdorp from Roma, Richie’s days at RB are numbered. I think he’s done enough both in his offensive play and his willingness to do a job for the better of the team to continue to get minutes in MF or on the Wing.
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2tone- Serge LB or RB. Last year they had Teze at RB who has moved to Monaco. Oppegard spent the 2nd half of last year on loan as starting LB at Heracles. He’s hurt not sure for how long. They’re using a 20 yr old CB as his replacement so I guess when Dest is healthy they’ll see which side needs help more.
JR,
Everything you say is true but the fact remains Ritchie is playing and, regardless of position, the more he plays, the better.
He’s been out a long time then didn’t work out in NYFC. This would be a good time for him to get back into the best shape possible because he’s got to show people something.
He’s been unlucky with injuries but PSV have kept him around a long time most likely because they like him even more than I do.
I would stop looking a gift horse in the mouth.
V: all I’m saying is I don’t think he should be brought in as a RB. I’m glad he’s playing, he’s good enough against most teams in Eredivisie, he’s just no where near level at this point to play against Panama or Mexico at RB.
JR,
That’s fine.
For a long time it wasn’t looking very good for him and I’ve always thought he was someone the USMNT could really use. Hopefully, he’ll be one of those newbies who is going to give Pochettino a lot of hard decisions to make.