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With the Champions League and other European competitions starting, this also means we are entering a rotation season for teams around the world. It’s a great opportunity for American players who haven’t gotten much playing time at clubs like Gio Reyna to show why they should be more involved in the future. It’s already been a great start to the season for many Americans in the English Football League, such as Haji Wright, Brenden Aaronson and Josh Sargent, but that hasn’t been the case for players in the top five European leagues around the world.
So as the games start to pick up pace, let’s take a look at some Americans to keep an eye on this weekend.
Josh Sargent: Norwich City vs Watford
Saturday, September 20 (7:30 p.m. ET Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo)
It wasn’t a great start to the season for the Canaries, but Josh Sargent was in top form and kept Norwich City moving. In the thick of the Championship Golden Boot race, Sargent has two goals and an assist, but he will be looking for more against Watford. These are the games Norwich must win to secure promotion to the Premier League, otherwise managerial shifts could be on the horizon.
Aidan Morris: Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
Saturday, September 20 (7:30 a.m. Paramount+. CBS Sports Network)
Aidan Morris has become one of the first names on the Middlesbrough team list under Michael Carrick and now he gets the chance to help them get back into the race for the Championship title. Since Boro have never won a game at Wembley Stadium, they want to avoid the play-offs at all costs, meaning they have to go through teams like Sunderland for automatic promotion. The Stadium of Light is not a place for the faint of heart, so they must give it their best.
Tim Weah & Weston McKennie (Juventus vs. Napoli)
Saturday, September 20 (12:00 PM ET Biggest+)
In a match that could be one to decide the Scudetto, Juventus will take on Napoli. Napoli have been in good form under Antonio Conte, with Romelu Lukaku back to his best and Juventus entering a short week. A boost is that Weston McKennie started and scored against PSV in the Champions League match, while Tim Weah came off the bench on his own return from injury. It is an important platform for his reintegration into the team under Thiago Motta. It’s a chance for Americans to play a big role in the Serie A title race, making it a must-watch affair.
Luca De La Torre: Athletic Club vs Celta de Vigo
Sunday, September 21 (10:15 a.m. ET ESPN+)
Back from injury and with Celta Vigo riding high in La Liga, this is a chance for Luca De La Torre to show what he can do against La Liga’s best. Athletic Bilbao will have one eye on the Europa League match, while Celta can concentrate on the match ahead. De La Torre is someone who has a clean slate for the USMNT under Mauricio Pochettino and with his ability to move the ball further, he could see his stock rise quickly if he can take risks in league matches.
Gio Reyna: Stuttgart vs Borussia Dortmund
Sunday, September 21 (11:30 a.m. ET ESPN+)
Two teams that played in the Champions League during the week face each other in the competition, where rotation can prevail. That could be a welcome situation for Gio Reyna, who is working his way back from a groin injury he suffered before the international break. There is no guarantee he will be available for this match after missing the squad for Dortmund’s UCL match, but facing a rotating Stuttgart side is a good chance to find his legs if he is fit to play.