Real Betis placed one foot into the UEFA Europa Conference League semifinals after earning a comfortable first leg victory on Thursday.
U.S. men’s national team midfielder Johnny Cardoso played the full 90 minutes as Real Betis defeated Polish side Jagiellonia Białystok 2-0. Cardoso rarely put a foot wrong in the match, completing 93% of his passes, winning three duels, and making nine defensive recoveries.
Goals from Cedric Bakambu and Jesus Rodriguez helped Manuel Pellegrini’s squad take a two-goal lead into next week’s trip to Poland. As for Cardoso, the 23-year-old made his 36th appearance of the season across all competitions, continuing what has been a busy campaign.
Real Betis will take its nine-match unbeaten run into Sunday’s La Liga top-six showdown with Villarreal.
In Europe, Gio Reyna and Borussia Dortmund got rolled in UCL play. Tanner Tessmann missed Lyon’s first leg draw with Manchester United due to personal reasons.
In England, Brenden Aaronson and Leeds United defeated Middlesbrough in EFL Championship play. Caleb Wiley assisted once in Watford’s home victory over Hull City.
In Mexico, Alex Zendejas and Club America suffered CONCACAF Champions Cup elimination to rivals Cruz Azul.
Here is a closer look at this week’s Americans Abroad:
Europe
UEFA Champions League
Gio Reyna came off the bench and played 23 minutes in Borussia Dortmund’s 4-0 first leg loss to Barcelona on Wednesday.
Cole Campbell did not dress for Borussia Dortmund.
UEFA Europa League
Tanner Tessmann did not dress (Personal Reasons) in Lyon’s 2-2 first leg win over Manchester United on Thursday.
Timmy Chandler dressed but did not play in Eintracht Frankfurt’s 1-1 first leg draw with Tottenham on Thursday.
UEFA Conference League
Johnny Cardoso started and played 90 minutes in Real Betis 2-0 first leg win over Jagiellonia Bialystok on Thursday.
England
Championship
Brenden Aaronson started and played 90 minutes in Leeds United’s 1-0 win over Middlesbrough on Tuesday.
Aidan Morris started and played 90 minutes for Middlesbrough.
Caleb Wiley started, registered ONE ASSIST, and played 90 minutes in Watford’s 1-0 win over Hull City on Tuesday.
Josh Sargent started and played 90 minutes in Norwich City’s 0-0 draw with Sunderland on Tuesday.
Ethan Horvath started, made TWO SAVES, and played 90 minutes in Cardiff City’s 2-2 draw with Preston North End on Tuesday.
Haji Wright started and played 85 minutes in Coventry City’s 1-0 win over Portsmouth on Wednesday.
Daryl Dike came off the bench and played 25 minutes in West Bromwich Albion’s 2-1 loss to Bristol City on Tuesday.
Lynden Gooch dressed but did not play in Stoke City’s 1-1 draw with Luton Town on Tuesday.
Norway
Eliteserien
Christian Cappis came off the bench and played 21 minutes in Viking’s 3-1 win over Kristiansund on Thursday.
North America
Concacaf Champions Cup
Alex Zendejas started and played 90 minutes in Club America’s 2-1 second leg loss to Cruz Azul on Tuesday. Cruz Azul advanced 2-1 on aggregate.