A quartet of American players suffered elimination from respective cup competitions this week.
Weston McKennie, Tim Weah and Juventus were eliminated from the Coppa Italia by visiting Empoli on Wednesday. The U.S. men’s national team duo both started and played 90 minutes apiece, but were unable to help the Bianconeri from avoiding a major upset at home.
Youssef Maleh’s opening goal for Empoli was cancelled out by Khephren Thuram-Ulien as penalty kicks were needed to determine a winner.
Dusan Vlahovic skied his spot kick in the first round before Kenan Yildiz’s fifth round effort was denied by Empoli goalkeeper Devis Vasquez.
McKennie featured in his traditional central midfield position while Weah continued at right back.
Juventus will turn its sights back to Serie A play on Monday against Hellas Verona.
Richie Ledezma, PSV eliminated from KNVB Cup
Reigning Eredivisie winners PSV continue to slide in domestic play.
Peter Bosz’s squad suffered KNVB Cup elimination in the semifinal round, losing 2-1 at home to Go Ahead Eagles. Ledezma, who was recently left off of the U.S. men’s national team’s preliminary CONCACAF Nations League roster, logged 90 minutes in the home defeat.
Go Ahead Eagles snatched a 2-0 first half through a pair of quick-fire goals from Gerrit Nauber and Victor Edvardsen.
Ivan Perisic’s 59th minute penalty kick helped PSV cut the deficit, but Eagles’ goalkeeper Jari De Busser registered four saves to help preserve his side’s memorable victory.
Ledezma is the lone healthy American player in the PSV squad as Malik Tillman, Ricardo Pepi, and Sergino Dest remain out of action. Dest could return to action in March after being sidelined long-term due to a torn ACL.
PSV has dropped to second in the league standings and will visit Go Ahead Eagles in Eredivisie action this Saturday.
Rokas Pukstas, Hajduk Split suffers cup exit
Croatian side Hajduk Split also suffered an unfortunate home cup exit on Wednesday.
Rokas Pukstas played 61 minutes but Hajduk Split lost 3-1 at home to Rijeka in the Croatian Cup Round of 16.
Nais Djouhara and Toni Fruk scored eight minutes apart in the first half for a 2-0 Rijeka lead.
Marko Livaja pulled one goal back for the hosts in the 29th minute, but Fruk would help Rijeka regain its two-goal advantage in the second half.
Hajduk Split sits second in the Croatian top flight, one point behind Rijeka. They will next face a tricky trip to third place Dinamo Zagreb on Sunday.
Pukstas, 20, has one goal and one assist in 20 appearances this season.