Johnny Cardoso made his long-awaited return for Real Betis on Thursday as the La Liga side picked up three points in UEFA Europa Conference League action.
Cardoso started and played 45 minutes as Manuel Pellegrini’s squad defeated CS Petrocub 1-0 in league phase action. The U.S. men’s national team midfielder had been out of action since mid-November due to a hamstring injury.
Cardoso delivered a solid shift, winning four of six duels, making seven defensive recoveries, and completing 87% of his passes. The 23-year-old was replaced at halftime as he works his way back to full fitness for Los Mejores.
Real Betis extended its unbeaten run to three matches in all competitions heading into Sunday’s league trip to Villarreal.
Elsewhere in Europe, Weston McKennie scored off of a Tim Weah assist against Manchester City. Yunus Musah and AC Milan picked up a win against Red Star Belgrade.
In England, Brenden Aaronson scored once in a Leeds United victory.
Here is a closer look at this week’s Americans Abroad
Europe
UEFA Champions League
Weston McKennie came off the bench, scored ONE GOAL, and played 21 minutes in Juventus 2-0 win over Manchester City on Wednesday.
Tim Weah came off the bench, registered ONE ASSIST, and played 21 minutes for Juventus.
Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty started and played 90 minutes in Celtic’s 0-0 draw with Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday.
Malik Tillman started and played 84 minutes in PSV’s 1-0 loss to Stade Brest on Tuesday.
Richie Ledezma came off the bench and played 45 minutes for PSV.
Ricardo Pepi came off the bench and played 17 minutes for PSV.
Yunus Musah started and played 83 minutes in AC Milan’s 2-1 win over Red Star Belgrade on Wednesday.
Gio Reyna started and played 73 minutes in Borussia Dortmund’s 3-2 loss to Barcelona on Wednesday.
Cole Campbell dressed but did not play for Borussia Dortmund.
Folarin Balogun did not dress in AS Monaco’s 3-0 loss to Arsenal on Wednesday.
Christian Pulisic is OUT (Injury) for AC Milan.
UEFA Europa League
Tanner Tessmann came off the bench and played nine minutes in Lyon’s 3-2 win over Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday.
Timmy Chandler dressed but did not play for Eintracht Frankfurt.
Jonathan Gomez did not dress in PAOK Salonika’s 5-0 win over Ferencvaros on Thursday.
UEFA Conference League
George Bello started and played 90 minutes in LASK’s 7-0 loss to Fiorentina on Thursday.
Lennard Maloney started and played 61 minutes in FC Heidenheim’s 3-1 loss to Istanbul Basaksehir on Thursday.
Johnny Cardoso started and played 45 minutes in Real Betis 1-0 win over CS Petrocub on Thursday.
Matt Olosunde did not dress in The New Saints 2-0 loss to Panathinaikos on Thursday.
Erik Palmer-Brown did not dress for Panathinaikos.
England
Championship
Brenden Aaronson started, scored ONE GOAL, and played 90 minutes in Leeds United’s 3-1 win over Middlesbrough on Tuesday.
Luca Koleosho came off the bench and played 21 minutes in Burnley’s 0-0 draw with Derby County on Tuesday.
Duane Holmes came off the bench and played 11 minutes in Preston North End’s 2-0 win over Cardiff City on Wednesday.
Ethan Horvath dressed but did not play for Cardiff City.
Haji Wright is OUT (Ankle Injury) for Coventry City.
Aidan Morris is OUT (Ankle Injury) for Middlesbrough.
Josh Sargent is OUT (Groin Injury for Norwich City.
Daryl Dike is OUT (Injury) for West Bromwich Albion.
Lynden Gooch is OUT (Injury) for Stoke City.
Mexico
Liga MX Final
Alex Zendejas and Club America host Brandon Vazquez and Monterrey on Thursday.
Zendejas with an assist and a goal tonight in the first leg of the Liga MX final. Could European teams start sniffing around? He has been on fire in the Liga MX playoffs. His left foot is deadly and his high IQ is fun to watch. Another player who could fit in that dual 10 role.