Today wasn't the typical Championship match day due to EFL Cup action forcing four clubs to delay their Matchday 6 fixture. One of those clubs was Middlesbrough, who played their Matchday 6 contest against Millwall on Tuesday as a result of the fact that both clubs were involved in the third round of the EFL Cup.
The match saw Middlesbrough rally from a 2-0 deficit to secure a point against a Millwall side still looking to find its footing after losing out in a promotion playoff semifinal against Hull City, who ended up winning promotion against a reinstated Middlesbrough side.
Three Americans see the pitch in 2-2 draw
A trio of Americans, Max Arfsten, Sebastian Berhalter, and Aidan Morris, all appeared in some form in Middlesbrough's match against Millwall. Berhalter and Morris both started the match in the midfield, though the former was substituted after the opening 45 minutes. He was also unable to record any goal contribution or scoring opportunity in the 45 minutes played.
Morris played the full match once again, recording a shot on target through 90 minutes of action.
Arfsten came on to start the second half; he ended up playing 45 minutes as he helped to anchor a Middlesbrough defense that seemed rattled by Millwall's first-half performance. On that note, this is the second straight match in which the Middlesbrough defense got off to a shaky start, though the club was once again able to rally and secure a result of some form.
Elsewhere in the match
Taïryk Arconte and Scotland national team veteran Lyndon Dykes scored Millwall's two goals in the 11th and 36th minutes, respectively. For Middlesbrough, it was Amario Cozier-Duberry and Will Lankshear, the latter of whom is second to Cyle Larin in the Championship goalscoring table, who helped rally the club from their two-goal deficit.
What's next?
Believe it or not, there is a four-way tie atop the Championship table after seven matchdays. Two sides with American players - Middlesbrough and West Brom - are involved in that four-way battle, though both would end up in the promotion playoffs as things stand.
Matchday 8, which will be the last Championship matchday before the upcoming international break, will feature a plethora of intriguing matches. One of them will focus on West Brom, captained by George Campbell, as they look to maintain their place in the top eight when they travel to play Wolves, who are seventh in the table. That match is one of two to be played on Sunday, September 20; kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 a.m. Eastern Time.
Middlesbrough will travel to 10th-place Birmingham on Saturday, with kickoff set for 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. One of the three Saturday early-morning matches sees Jack McGlynn, Luca Bombino, and Stoke City host Sheffield United. Kickoff is set for 7:30 a.m. Eastern Time. Further down the table, Preston North End, featuring USMNT hopeful and Chelsea loanee Caleb Wiley, will look to escape the relegation zone when they travel to play QPR. Kickoff in that match is set for Saturday at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time.
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