Southampton will be seeking an immediate bounce-back to the English Premier League but an opening day test against newly-promoted Wrexham could be a tough test for Will Still’s squad.
U.S. men’s national team forward Damion Downs will aim to make his competitive debut at the St. Mary’s Stadium on Saturday. Downs, who joined from German club Koln earlier in the summer, has quickly made a positive impression among his new teammates. The 20-year-old scored in friendly action against Espanyol, with USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino in attendance.
There will surely be pressure on Downs to help Southampton be among the promotion favorites this season, but after scoring 11 goals in the German second-tier last campaign, the young forward should be brimming with confidence.
Elsewhere in England, Josh Sargent could be playing in his final match for Norwich City. Haji Wright and Coventry City take on Hull City in EFL Championship play.
In Germany, Julian Green and Johan Gomez go head-to-head in 2. Bundesliga play.
In the Netherlands, Ricardo Pepi and Sergino Dest open Eredivisie play against Sparta Rotterdam. Zach Booth and Excelsior are back in the top flight.
In Scotland, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Celtic travel to Dante Polvara and Aberdeen.
Elsewhere, Donovan Pines should be in attendance to watch his new club Grazer AK face Red Bull Salzburg. Alex Zendejas and Club America return to Liga MX play. Griffin Yow and Westerlo continue through the early stages of the Belgian Pro League campaign. Konrad De La Fuente and Lausanne face FC Zurich. Benji Michel and HJK close the weekend against Ilves.
Here is a closer look at this weekend’s Americans Abroad:
England
Community Shield
Chris Richards and Crystal Palace face Liverpool on Sunday.
Championship
Haji Wright and Coventry City host Hull City on Saturday.
Caleb Wiley and Watford visit Charlton Athletic on Saturday.
Josh Sargent and Norwich City host Millwall on Saturday.
George Campbell and West Bromwich Albion host Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.
Aidan Morris and Middlesbrough host Swansea City on Saturday.
Damion Downs and Southampton host Wrexham on Saturday.
Patrick Agyemang is OUT for Derby County.
Daryl Dike is OUT (Thigh Injury) for West Brom.
League One
Lynden Gooch and Huddersfield Town visit Reading on Saturday.
National League
Aidan Dausch and Forest Green Rovers visit Solihull Moors on Saturday.
Germany
2. Bundesliga
John Tolkin and Holstein Kiel host Arminia Bielefeld on Sunday.
Julian Green, Maxi Dietz and Greuther Furth visit Johan Gomez and Eintracht Braunschweig on Saturday.
John Brooks and Hertha Berlin host Karlsruher on Sunday.
3. Liga
Terrence Boyd and Waldhof Mannheim visit Hansa Rostock on Sunday.
Netherlands
Eredivisie
Sergino Dest, Ricardo Pepi and PSV host Sparta Rotterdam on Saturday.
Taylor Booth and FC Twente visit PEC Zwolle on Sunday.
Zach Booth and Excelsior visit NEC Nijmegen on Saturday.
Scotland
Premiership
Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty and Celtic visit Dante Polvara and Aberdeen on Sunday.
Belgium
Pro League
Bryan Reynolds, Griffin Yow and Westerlo host Mechelen on Saturday.
Marlon Fossey and Standard Liege host Genk on Sunday.
Austria
Bundesliga
George Bello and LASK visit WSG Tirol on Sunday.
Donovan Pines and Grazer AK visit Red Bull Salzburg on Saturday.
Croatia
HNL
Rokas Pukstas and Hajduk Split host HNK Gorica on Sunday.
Switzerland
Super League
Konrad De La Fuente and Lausanne host FC Zurich on Sunday.
Denmark
Superliagen
Jonathan Amon and Vejle visit Gavin Beavers and Brondby on Sunday.
Matthew Hoppe and Sonderjyske visit Viborg on Friday.
Finland
Veikkausligga
Benji Michel and HJK host Ilves on Monday.
Mexico
Liga MX
Cade Cowell, Richie Ledezma and Chivas visit Santos Laguna on Sunday.
Alex Zendejas and Club America host Queretaro on Saturday.
No Pepi today for PSV, Dutch outlets listing him as “not fit”. Bosz was asked about player fitness Friday and only said he had to still ask the training staff if Pepi and Van Bommel could start. Reportedly a 30 million offer from Fulham for Ricardo was rejected and Leipzig are contemplating an offer for Ricardo to replace Sesko.
Dest scores his second of the season, late in the first half.
When Pepi didn’t dress yesterday, it was very interesting that he was listed as, “not fit,” given Bosz’s assessment of him a day earlier. Plus, he played the prior game.
A year out from the World Cup, Pepi does not want to leave. He prefers to stay, have a winning season, play regularly, and be impactful.
Given that Raul Jimenez is at Fulham, that move would not happen. Pepi wouldn’t take the risk in the lead up to the World Cup…he would block it.
That said, if Leipzig bring an offer at $44M USD, PSV will want to move forward with the transfer. If it comes to fruition, 400% ROI for a sub player from your roster is really good business by Earnie.
RB Leipzig struggled last year, and given their transfers out, as well as Simons wanting out, early signs indicate that this year will be more of the same, if not worse. Pepi should stay clear of that.
30 million would be a near record for Fulham if that was really their offer, it’s to start Pepi over Jimenez. Raul is 34 and hasn’t exactly dominated at Fulham, Muniz has been similar. Sufficient but not great. RBL is under a rebuild for sure but with Sesko money and Simmons money should he go they will have plenty to spend. With Bakayoko there he’d already have a teammate he’s familiar with.
Mathis Albert scored again today for Dortmund U19s and drew a penalty.
Freeman has reportedly agreed to a deal with Villarreal. No agreement between Orlando City and The Yellow Submarine.
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Middlesbrough is looking to submit another bid for Max Arfsten after their 3 million dollar offer was rejected. I think they’ll have to go higher than the 4 million they got Aiden Morris for last year.
I don’t know if I like him moving yet. This move reminds me of Reynolds move. I would say Reynolds is better than Freeman. I do think Freeman has big upside. To be honest I could see Freeman in a back 3 as a CB not necessarily as a RB as his future progresses. At 6’2″. Hopefully he can do well at Villarreal.
I think getting this done is a ways away. Orlando reportedly don’t want him to go until January. It wouldn’t be the first time an European team convinced an American player to personal terms and then low balled the club and couldn’t get it done. Also reportedly more suitors out there working on bringing him in. The situation does remind me of Reynolds going to Roma after just 1700 minutes at FCD. Freeman has a few more minutes than that but not a lot.
Really excited to see how Downs does this season for Southhampton. With both Dike and Agye out possibly till mid to late September a good start for Downs could be needed for September. Especially both Pepi and Balo are still getting healthy and being eased back into their respective squads. September friendlies may be light on strikers.
I have seen Gio Reyna has not been part of the line-up in the Dortmund friendlies and now his #7 has been given to Jobe Bellingham. I am a Dortmund fan and the writing is obviously on the wall they no longer value Gio. That is until other teams come calling and then the jack up his price. It goes without saying he needs to do whatever he can to leave Dortmund and find a team where he plays consistenly.
Dortmund clearly hoping another team comes in for Reyna. I just don’t think it will. If Parma can’t get the deal done then he needs to get a loan somewhere.
Parma has made a couple sales in the past few days. Hopefully they’ll be able to add some of that to their bid and get this done.
Balogun, Tillman, and Pulisic all to miss friendlies this week with injuries. None are reported as serious and all are expected for league openers (Malik likely to miss Dfb Pokal opening round)
So now Allegri wants Musah to stay at AC Milan. Napoli was lining up a 29 million Euro bid. Stating he sees Musah as an important piece for the midfield. My guess Ricci hasn’t impressed.