Westerlo lost a thriller on Boxing Day, but American players Griffin Yow and Bryan Reynolds did not disappoint.
Yow scored once while Reynolds registered two assists in a 4-3 road loss to Club Brugge. The U.S. men’s national team duo even teamed up for the first time this season, picking up some individual confidence to close their 2024 schedule.
Yow cut Westerlo’s deficit in half before the interval, picking up a pass from Reynolds before unleashing a left-footed strike into the top-left corner. It was Yow’s second goal of the Belgian season and first since November 24.
Despite Westerlo fighting back for a 3-3 scoreline, a second-half stoppage time winner for Club Brugge sealed three points for the hosts.
Yow was substituted off before the final whistle while Reynolds went the distance. It marked Reynolds’ first multi-assist game since November 2022.
Westerlo next has a two-week break before resuming league play on January 11 against Sint-Truiden.
In England, Antonee Robinson and Fulham earned their first road win over Chelsea since 1979. Tyler Adams featured off of the bench in Bournemouth’s home draw with Crystal Palace.
Here is a closer look at this week’s Americans Abroad:
England
Premier League
Antonee Robinson started and played 90 minutes in Fulham’s 2-1 win over Chelsea on Thursday.
Tyler Adams came off the bench and played 28 minutes in Bournemouth’s 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace on Tuesday.
Matt Turner, Chris Richards dressed but did not play for Crystal Palace.
Championship
Brenden Aaronson started and played 90 minutes in Leeds United’s 2-0 win over Stoke City on Thursday.
Duane Holmes came off the bench and played 13 minutes in Preston North End’s 1-0 win over Hull City on Thursday.
Luca Koleosho dressed but did not play in Burnley’s 2-0 win over Sheffield United on Thursday.
Ethan Horvath dressed but did not play in Cardiff City’s 3-2 loss to Oxford United on Thursday.
Haji Wright is OUT (Injury) for Coventry City.
Aidan Morris is OUT (Injury) for Middlesbrough.
Josh Sargent is OUT (Injury) for Norwich City.
Daryl Dike is OUT (Injury) for West Bromwich Albion.
Lynden Gooch is OUT (Injury) for Stoke City.
League One
Donovan Pines started and played 90 minutes in Barnsley’s 2-1 win over Bolton Wanderers on Thursday.
Gabriel Slonina is OUT (Hand Injury) for Barnsley.
Italy
Serie B
Kristoffer Lund came off the bench and played 45 minutes in Palermo’s 1-0 win over Bari on Thursday.
Andrija Novakovich came off the bench and played 15 minutes for Bari.
Belgium
First Division
Marlon Fossey started and played 90 minutes in Standard Liege’s 0-0 draw with Mechelen on Thursday.
Bryan Reynolds started, registered TWO ASSISTS, and played 90 minutes in Westerlo’s 4-3 loss at Club Brugge on Thursday.
Griffin Yow started, scored ONE GOAL, and played 90 minutes for Westerlo.
Scotland
Premiership
Cameron Carter-Vickers started and played 90 minutes in Celtic’s 4-0 win over Motherwell on Thursday.
Auston Trusty dressed but did not play for Celtic.
Dante Polvara is OUT (Injury) for Aberdeen.
Wales
Premier League
Matt Olosunde did not dress in The New Saints 5-2 win over Caenarfon on Thursday.
USMNT talent Nimfasha Berchimas scores goal for Manchester United U18s as he puts in strong performance during trial with Red Devils. Man I hope he can keep it up and actually break through, to get some first team wins, or get picked up by another EPL team. I have seen his USMNT u 20 performances and they were great!(in my Toney theTiger Frosted Flakes cereal voice) 🐅
I like Berchimas, you certainly could see talent this summer for the U20s. He could be muscled off the ball pretty easily which is expected since he was playing guys 2 or 3 years older. I would guess that’s why Charlotte has used him sparingly to this point. I don’t think he has European passport so I think he’d have to wait until he turns 18 to join a European club.
Oh I see, thanks for that JR. I agree, He does need to get that muscle up so he won’t get knocked off ball.
I found some Reddit comments claiming he might be eligible for a Belgian passport but it was all speculative not based on any inside info. Also youth players trial all the time and it usually doesn’t lead to signings.
Bro be positive, I also disagree with that. Quinn Sullivan younger Cavan Sullivan brother trialed at Man City and is signed by them when he turns 18 in 2027. Gio Reyna trialed with Dortmond from NYCFC and was signed. Of course, Gio had Euro passport so he didn’t have to wait.
Striker, I am positive about Birchimas. I think he’ll sign somewhere just not likely to be a big club like Man U or Bayern. For example, Pepi and Reynolds trialed at Bayern. Busio did several trials when he was younger but ended at Venezia. Pulisic trialed at Chelsea when he was 13 or 14 (that’s where the picture of him and Mason Mount as kids comes from). It’s a great way to get training in, in the off season and get your name out there.
Hope to see Yow have a strong second half of the season. Could he force his way into the Gold Cup team? Both Reyna and Weah are set to be with their clubs in CWC this summer.
Really like his relentless attacking. Reynolds the forgotten RB continues to develop his game. Still has a ton of upside.
Fossey also having a good run of form and now is the captain.
With Weah and Mckennie set to miss the Gold Cup due to the CWC this summer Fossey and Reynolds are making a case to be in the mix.
1. Pulisic
2. Musah
3. B. Aaronson
4. Wright
5. Zendajas
6. Paredes
7. Luna
8. P. Aaronson
9. Ferreira
10. ….
That’s a lot of guys for him to jump. Yes some could play midfield or striker but others like Tillman and Busio could play wing too. Oh I forgot Cowell as well. Quinn Sullivan had a big season in MLS as well.
Leeds moves into first place. Only +1 above the automatic promotion line though. Aaronson was fine, not great but fine. Gooch didn’t do much, subbed out early 2nd half. It was so foggy you couldn’t see the ball on the far side 3rd of the field.
JR,
It’s easy to forget that each Championship team has to play 46 league games during a season. Leeds at 23 is exactly at the halfway mark.
Farke knows better than most how brutal the next 23 games are going to be.
For sure, this is the closest the top 3 have been at the halfway point going back to 2019/2020. The last 5 seasons the team in first at halfway has gone on to win. Of course the last team to lead at halfway and not be promoted is Leeds 2018-2019. As Bielsa’s boys ran out of gas and healthy bodies earning just 1 pt from their last four matchdays. Farke’s Norwich winning 8 in a row from Feb 16 to April 6, and losing just twice in the second half.