USMNT Europa League matchday 2 recap: Malik Tillman on the scoresheet, Weston McKennie does it all

The international break is long over, but European leagues are back. Thursday was matchday 2 in the Europa League, with over half a dozen USMNT players in action. For the most part, the Americans had a good day, even if their teams didn't. Let's take a closer look at how all of the Americans in Europa League performed on Thursday.

Tyler Adams, Bournemouth

The first home European match in Bournemouth history was a successful one, as the Cherries knocked off Sturm Graz 3-0. Adams started the match and played 70 minutes. He graded out quite well with five defensive contributions and four clearances, while going five for five on long balls. It was the type of performance we’ve come to expect from the new USMNT captain. 

Christ Richards, Crystal Palace

After a 4-0 win in their Europa League opener against Lech Poznan, Richards and Palace took a step backward on Thursday. The Eagles were second-best for most of the day in a 3-2 loss to Lyon. In what’s been an up-and-down season for him, Richards had arguably his worst performance since the USMNT’s World Cup loss to Belgium. Fellow American Zavier Gozo was not in the squad. 

Tanner Tessman, Lyon

Tessman was on the winning side of Lyon’s 3-2 win over Palace, although he was not a major contributor. The midfielder came on as a sub in the 78th minute and was on the field when Palace scored a few minutes later. Tessman had just six touches and one defensive contribution in the match. 

Malik Tillman, Bayer Leverkusen

After losing his starting spot in Leverkusen’s last two Bundesliga games, Tillman returned to the starting lineup on Thursday and delivered his best performance of the season. With Leverkusen already up 1-0, Tillman used hustle and determination more than skill to score the team’s second of the game. When all was said and done, Tillman created three chances and had a game-high nine touches in the box, playing 90 minutes. His performance came almost immediately after rumors of a potential move to the Premier League in January surfaced. 

Weston McKennie, Juventus

McKennie started as a right wing-back and played all 90 minutes for Juventus in a 2-1 win over Celta Vigo. The Italian side got a 92nd-minute goal to earn all three points. McKennie showed his ability to play both sides of the ball, making 11 passes into the final third, while also making three defensive contributions and winning five of his seven duels.

Christian Pulisic, AC Milan

Pulisic started on the bench, watching 19-year-old Alphadjo Cisse score a hat trick against RB Salzburg. The American subbed on for Cisse in the 60th minute and had a solid 30 minutes for AC Milan, nearly scoring a goal in a convincing 4-0 win for the Italian side. Yunus Musah was on the bench but didn’t enter the game.

Tim Weah, Marseille

After snapping a five-game losing streak over the weekend, Marseille got back to its losing ways on Thursday, falling to Olympiacos 1-0. For what it’s worth, Weah was arguably Marseille’s best player. In 90 minutes at right-back, creating one chance and making nine defensive contributions. As captain of the squad, Weah is doing his best, but the rest of his squad isn’t providing enough support.

Austin Trusty, Celtic

Celtic should already be embarrassed about the team’s collapse that cost them a spot in Champions League. Thus far, the Scottish club’s Europa League campaign hasn’t been much better. The Celts lost to Ferencvaros 3-1 in their first match and dropped Thursday’s game to Benfica 4-1. Cameron Carter-Vickers is hurt, but Trusty started and played all 90 minutes. The center-back isn’t solely to blame for the loss, but he obviously didn’t do enough to prevent the defeat.

Bryan Reynolds, Rennes

Reynolds got the start for Rennes last weekend and made a big impact with two assists. Naturally, he was rotated out of the squad on Thursday, but came on as a sub in the 79th minute. Reynolds helped to close out the game, with Rennes scoring a 90th-minute goal to beat OFI Crete 2-1.

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