The United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) has been overshadowed by the achievements of their women counterparts in recent years. The United States Women’s National Team (USMNT) are four-time FIFA World Cup winners and have dominated the sport over the past few years, while the men failed to even make it to the last edition of their FIFA World Cup. However, with plenty of promising young talent coming through the ranks in recent years, the USMNT have reason to be optimistic. Here, we have a look at a few American talents who are plying their trade across Europe’s best leagues and point towards a bright future for the men’s team.

DeAndre Yedlin

Powerful with a good turn of pace, American full-back DeAndre Yedlin has more than 60 caps for his country and has been playing his football in England since 2014. Brought to England by Tottenham Hotspur, Yedlin had a slow start to life in England before finding his feet during a loan move to Sunderland. After proving himself for Sunderland, he moved to their rivals Newcastle United in 2016 and went on to establish himself as their first-choice right-back option. Even though he seems to have fallen down the pecking order this season, having mostly appeared in EFL Cup matches for Newcastle, Yedlin’s experience abroad makes him a crucial member of the men’s squad.

Sergino Dest

Another American full-back, Sergino Dest is a young and highly-rated prospect who looks destined to make the right-back spot in the national team his own for years to come. The 20-year-old is defensively sound and a threat while moving forward. A part of Ajax’s famed youth set-up after the Eredivisie giants recognised his talent from an early age, Dest made his senior team debut for them last season and was impressive, finishing the campaign with two goals and six assists from the back. Assured while manning their backline as well, Dest joined Catalan giants Barcelona in the last transfer window and will be looking to kick on in the ongoing La Liga season.

Weston McKennie

Weston McKennie is another promising and young American talent who honed his skills in the youth academy of a European club. After joining Schalke 04’s youth academy from FC Dallas in 2016, the midfielder graduated to the German club’s senior team in 2017 and has gone from strength to strength since. McKennie has played 91 games for Schalke’s senior team and developed his all-round game. His defensive strengths aside, the 22-year-old notched five goals as well as seven assists during his time with Schalke and joined Serie A giants Juventus ahead of the new season. The fact that he was roped in by Juventus speaks volumes about his potential and it’ll be interesting to track his progress in the 2020-21 campaign.   

Christian Pulisic

The USMNT’s blue-eyed boy, Christian Pulisic is their go-to man when the chips are down. Pulisic joined Borussia Dortmund’s youth set-up as a 16-year-old in 2015 and made his debut for the club in January 2016. He enjoyed success at Dortmund, lifting the 2017 DFB-Pokal with them before signing for Chelsea in the 2019 January transfer window despite only joining up with the Blues at the start of the 2019-20 campaign. Although injuries have hampered his progress of late, his time in England has seen him enjoy plenty of individual success so far. He finished his first season at Chelsea with 11 goals as well as 10 assists across all competitions and netted a perfect hat-trick during a win over Burnley.

Giovanni Reyna

Only 17 years of age, Giovanni Reyna is the son of former American players Claudio Reyna and Danielle Egan. Like Pulisic, Giovanni joined Borussia Dortmund’s youth set-up and seems to be developing at a rapid pace with the Bundesliga giants. He made his debut for the club in January to break Pulisic’s record of being the youngest American to appear in a Bundesliga game, at 17 years and 66 days of age. Giovanni also became the youngest American to play and register an assist in the UEFA Champions League after he set up a goal in Dortmund’s first leg encounter in their round-of-16 match against Paris Saint-Germain last season. The ongoing campaign has seen him start the season like a house on fire. His five appearances for Dortmund so far this season have seen him net twice and set up four more goals, including a hat-trick of assists in one match.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Adrian Dennis

Bundesliga players including Jadon Sancho who staged protests during matches following the death of American man George Floyd will not be punished, the German Football Federation said on Wednesday.

In a statement, the DFB said "no action" would be taken against Borussia Dortmund players Sancho and Achraf Hakini, Schalke's US midfielder Weston McKennie and Borussia Moenchengladbach's French forward Marcus Thuram for "their symbols of solidarity".

"This line will also be taken should further players make demonstrations on racism and the death of Floyd over the course of upcoming matchdays," the DFB added.

After scoring in Dortmund's win at Paderborn on Sunday England winger Sancho lifted his shirt to reveal the message "Justice for George Floyd".

Read | Football community shows solidarity with #BlackLivesMatter

Floyd's death after a policeman kneeled on his neck for several minutes has sparked eight days of protests in the US cities.

Hakimi and McKennie expressed similar calls for justice, while Frenchman Thuram, the son of World Cup winner Lilian Thuram, took a knee after scoring for Gladbach in memory of Floyd, echoing similar protests against police brutality started by NFL player Colin Kaepernick in 2016.

On Tuesday, FIFA chief Gianni Infantino said that players demanding justice for Floyd,  should be applauded.

The DFB had launched their investigation into the players' tributes following guidelines from the sport's lawmakers, the International Football Association Board.

Read | Sancho, Hakimi join Thuram and McKennie in US killing protest

Feature image courtesy:  AFP / Lars Baron

England winger Jadon Sancho scored a hat-trick and revealed a "Justice for George Floyd" protest message in Borussia Dortmund's 6-1 rout of bottom side Paderborn on Sunday that trimmed Bayern Munich's lead at the top of the Bundesliga to seven points.

The outstanding Sancho, who now has 17 goals and 17 assists in the Bundesliga this season, joined a host of protests in the German top-flight over the weekend at the death of an unarmed black man in the United States.

Sancho later wrote on Instagram: "Delighted to get my first career hat trick, a bittersweet moment personally as there are more important things going on in the world today that we must address and help make a change."

Achraf Hakimi also joined Jadon Sancho in dedicating his goal to George Floyd:

Justice for George Floyd. pic.twitter.com/lKrt4MQZpV

�?FootballFunnys (@FootballFunnnys) May 31, 2020

Morocco international Achraf Hakimi lifted his jersey to deliver the same message as Sancho after scoring Dortmund's fourth goal at Paderborn.

George Floyd, 46, died in Minneapolis during an arrest by a police officer who pinned him to the ground for several minutes by kneeling on his neck, sparking protests across the US.

Marcus Thuram took a knee

Earlier on Sunday, Borussia Moenchengladbach's French forward Marcus Thuram took a knee to protest Floyd's death. Schalke's American midfielder Weston McKennie wore a "Justice for George" armband on Saturday.

Thuram's gesture echoed past protests by National Football League players in the US in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. 

Together is how we move forward, together is how we make a change #BLACK_LIVES_MATTERS pic.twitter.com/7OJUWqTLQZ

�?T I K U S (@MarcusThuram) May 31, 2020

Because of social distancing rules, goal celebrations were muted but after Thuram headed his team's second goal just before half time he took the opportunity to make a solitary statement, kneeling and bowing his head.

At half time, his club tweeted a photo with the caption: "No explanation needed."

After the game, Gladbach coach Marco Rose said Thuram had his backing.

"Marcus has made the point. He has set an example against racism that we all support," Rose said.

McKennie's 'Justice for George' armband

On Saturday, Schalke's American midfielder Weston McKennie wore a 'Justice for George' armband as part of the growing protests over the death of an unarmed black man during a police arrest in the United States.

@s04_en midfielder Weston McKennie @WMckennie wears an arm band in support of the late #GeorgeFloyd during a #Bundesliga match against @werderbremen_en #BundesligaIsBack #MinnesotaProtests #USMNT pic.twitter.com/EAB6OVXVSQ

�?Sulaiman Folarin (@sulaiman4real) May 30, 2020

"To be able to use my platform to bring attention to a problem that has been going on too long feels good!!!," tweeted 21-year-old McKennie.

"We have to stand up for what we believe in and I believe that it is time that we are heard."

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Lars Baron

Bayern Munich opened a 10-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga on Saturday with a 5-0 drubbing of relegation-threatened Fortuna Dusseldorf behind closed doors with the league's top-scorer Robert Lewandowski scoring twice.

Duesseldorf defender Mathias Joergensen scored an early own goal before Benjamin Pavard, Lewandowski (2) and Alphonso Davies hit the target.

With five games left, Bayern, who have won their last eight league games, are comfortably on course for an eighth straight league title. However, second-placed Borussia Dortmund could trim their lead on Sunday at bottom side Paderborn.

Several records fell as Lewandowski now has 43 goals in all competitions, a season's best for the Poland striker with games in hand. Also, head coach Hansi Flick claimed his 22nd win in his first 25 games, bettering the start made by Pep Guardiola when he took charge in 2013.

"Statistics and records don't interest me, what's important is to have a successful season," said Flick, in his first season since replacing Niko Kovac in November.

"At Bayern Munich, you are expected to win. I am very happy, we were very aggressive and didn't give them any chances."

Lewandowski, who had never previously scored in six games against Duesseldorf, made amends with goals either side of half-time.

Fortuna, who were unbeaten in their three games since the league resumed after a two-month coronavirus-enforced hiatus, were humbled at the Allianz Arena where they last poached a 3-3 draw in November 2018. They fell behind on 15 minutes when Joergensen turned the ball into his own net after Pavard mishit his shot.

Right-back Pavard then grabbed the second with a powerful header on 29 minutes before Lewandowski made it 3-0 just before the break after being presented with a tap-in by Thomas Mueller.

Duesseldorf were floored with two goals in as many minutes as Lewandowski profited again with another poacher's goal after Serge Gnabry's good work. Davies then scored the game's best goal.

After some high pressing, the Canadian teen won the ball in the Duesseldorf area, barged past a succession of defenders and fired home to make it 5-0 on 52 minutes.

US death protest

Werder Bremen boosted their survival hopes with a 1-0 win at Schalke, who are winless in 11 games and continue to plummet.

Midfielder Leonardo Bittencourt scored a first-half winner.

"This is a very, very important away win," said Bremen coach Florian Kohfeldt.

"We have taken seven points from the last three games, but if you look at the table, we are still behind."

Bremen have spent more seasons in the Bundesliga than any other club, but currently sit second from bottom. However, Saturday's victory leaves them just three points from guaranteed safety with six games left.

They are two points behind Duesseldorf in 16th, which carries a relegation play-off at the end of the season. Werder could climb out of the relegation places for the first time since December on Wednesday if they beat Eintracht Frankfurt at home.

Bittencourt hit a stunning strike from just outside the box which beat Schalke's Bayern-bound goalkeeper Alexander Nuebel on 32 minutes.

Schalke succumbed to their fourth straight defeat, piling pressure on head coach David Wagner. 

In the same game, Schalke's American midfielder Weston McKennie wore a 'Justice for George' armband as part of the growing protests over the death of an unarmed black man during a police arrest in the United States.

@s04_en midfielder Weston McKennie @WMckennie wears an arm band in support of the late #GeorgeFloyd during a #Bundesliga match against @werderbremen_en #BundesligaIsBack #MinnesotaProtests #USMNT pic.twitter.com/EAB6OVXVSQ

�?Sulaiman Folarin (@sulaiman4real) May 30, 2020

"To be able to use my platform to bring attention to a problem that has been going on too long feels good!!!," tweeted 21-year-old McKennie.

"We have to stand up for what we believe in and I believe that it is time that we are heard."

George Floyd died in Minneapolis in an arrest by a police officer who pinned him to the ground for several minutes by kneeling on his neck. 

Hertha on the rise

Hertha remain unbeaten with three wins and a draw since Bruno Labbadia took charge during the lockdown after their 2-0 win at home to Augsburg thanks for goals by Javairo Dilrosun and Krzysztof Piatek.

Having routed Leverkusen 4-1 away on Tuesday, Wolfsburg crashed to a 2-1 defeat at home to 10-man Eintracht Frankfurt.

Japan midfielder Daichi Kamada scored the winner 10 minutes from time while Frankfurt had replacement midfielder Lucas Torro sent off in the dying stages for a second yellow card.

Frankfurt took the lead when striker Andre Silva converted a penalty on 27 minutes, but Wolfsburg equalised when right-back Kevin Mbabu headed home on 58 minutes.

Hoffenheim are seventh after their 1-0 win at Mainz thanks to Ihlas Bebou who darted into the area, swept past two defenders, and fired home on 43 minutes.

On Friday, Leverkusen went third when Germany midfielder Kai Havertz became the first player in Bundesliga history to score 35 goals before his 21st birthday to seal a 1-0 win at Freiburg.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Christof Stache

RB Leipzig missed out on the chance to leapfrog Borussia Dortmund to second place, Schalke continued their poor form despite some standout displays and Paderborn boasted their own 'Gladiator' on Wednesday.

Here's a look at some of the notable moments from the third round of matches since football's restart in Germany.

Benchmarks 

As has been the case since the German top-flight resumed, hygiene measures were maintained throughout the midweek matches.

A steward at RB Leipzig's Red Bull Arena was caught cleaning one of the stadium's substitute benches at the break of the event-filled draw.

Players sat with at least one place between them as they watched on in eastern Germany.

The hosts looked set to hold on to valuable three points before Hertha Berlin's Krzysztof Piatek converted an 82nd-minute penalty in a 2-2 draw.

Werner wanders

Leipzig's Timo Werner has been linked with a move to Liverpool but it was a quiet display for the Germany forward in the Hertha draw.

He was photographed looking into the distance over an advertising board after he had run over the touchline.

Read | 'Like a school team': Nagelsmann slams ten-man Leipzig after Hertha draw

Werner was replaced by midfielder Hannes Wolf with 11 minutes remaining as coach Julian Nagelsmann attempted to secure the victory.

Speedy Matondo 

Wales' Rabbi Matondo has had a relatively quiet start to his time with Schalke scoring once in 24 games since arriving from Manchester City in January 2019.

But on Wednesday he made an impact on the Bundesliga's speed camera by running 36km/h in the loss at Fortuna Duesseldorf with only Borussia Dortmund's Achraf Hakimi having registered a quicker pace.

Bayern Munich's Thomas Mueller compared his teammate Alphonse Davies to the Roadrunner after notching 35.3km/h during Tuesday's Klassiker.

McKennie's 'handshake'

Hertha Berlin's Dedryck Boyata apologised for breaching the league's strict hygiene protocols by kissing a team-mate earlier in the month.

Schalke's Weston McKennie appeared to do so too in celebrating his side's opener with a handshake with teammate Salif Sane.

The positive reaction was quickly dampened as Fortuna won the fixture thanks to a pair of quick-fire second-half goals.

'Gladiator' Gjasula

Despite the drastic changes in the Bundesliga due to strict health protocols, one thing remains the same - Paderborn's Klaus Gjasula continues to wear a protective helmet on the field.

His side remain rock bottom of the table after the goalless draw at Augsburg and face a tough task of staying in the top-tier a year after promotion.

'The Gladiator', as he is known, dons the head protection after suffering a broken cheek in 2013, according to local newspaper Stuttgarter Nachrichten.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Martin Meissner