Wow

always wish Benny got more playing time with the USMNT!! such an underrated player

Everton have reached an agreement with Monaco for the signing of U.S. men’s national team striker Folarin Balogun.

Monaco sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity to protect relationships, stated a deal consisting of an initial €45million (£38.58m; $52.3m) plus €5million (£4.3m; $5.8m) in potential add-ons had been agreed between the two clubs, while Everton sources said the deal was worth in the region of £40million ($54m; €46.7m).

Reyna has been a pretty polarizing player since that 2022 World Cup, but despite everything, he is still only 23. Although he clearly has shown flashes of brilliance, he just isn't consistent.

Despite my frustrations with him, that goal in the World Cup was pretty and he appeared more motivated on the field.

Joins Luca Bombino (20) and Freddie Anderson (19) as third American at the club

Has anyone heard any rumors on what Slonina’s status will be this season? Heard he was going on loan but appears back in Chelsea’s squad.

I think he’s definitely able to start in MLS or Championship/Mid-Level European leagues. Game time is the most important factor of growth between 18-23 and it feels like the window will close on him if he doesn’t get any.

Whenever there is a great young prospect, everybody brings up Freddy Adu. First off, lots of sketchy stuff around him, age-wise. Second, he was declared great after a showing at U-14, which was just madness. He never found great success at the professional level, even the MLS. So when we see young guys like Cavan Sullivan blowing up today's league as a real impact player, I just don't get it. Cavan, and pretty much all the other guys we are excited for, have shown more against real competition than Adu ever did.

Adu was an unfiltered hype machine, incredibly unfairly, and arguably mis-trained. I'm not blaming him for anything. I'm also not going to pretend like he showed any signs that should have been taken seriously. He is not a good example for prospects not panning out.

Over the last 20 years, teams winning major international tournaments have almost universally relied on world class central midfielders with elite game reading, vision, orchestration in possession and the ability to break up play. Busquets is the prime example for defensive midfielders who fit this mold.

The US has struggled to produce midfield players in this mold. Our closest example was Claudio Reyna who captained the 2002 World Cup team. That team produced our best World Cup finish in the modern era and Claudio was named to the World Cup All Star team.

Is giving me dangerous hope, especially after that performance today

I dont follow Italian soccer but I thought Pulisic was a key player for Milan. Is he still recovering from the injury at the World Cup?

He was on the bench but not used for both games. They have a new coach which can throw things up in the air.

The club said they wouldn't listen to transfer offers, so I have to think it's match fitness. But anyone know for sure?

curious question but what player in your mind fit that criteria of decent but not enough to be a first team main stay?

Interesting to see them going to meet each other this soon.

Rarely seen in English football, 5 Americans could be on the field at the same time.

Fun facts :
- 4 (Richards, Berhatler, Morris, and Arfsten) have been called to Senior USMNT in the past

- 3 (Richards, Berhatler, and Arfsten) were in the USMNT World Cup roster, and at least had a minute of gameplay each.

- Gozo is the only one who haven’t received any callup to the senior USMNT, but have represented the USYNT at the U-20 World Cup.

- Richards is the only player who have never played at the MLS (but was signed for Dallas FC for sometimes)

- Could potentially be a debut game for Gozo. Other recent transfers (Berhatler and Arfsten) have played at least a game with Boro.

After seeing Chris Richards perform horribly today, with Adams similarly struggling against Manchester City last weekend. And seeing Pulisic benched against Venezia, I think the “Golden Generation” already achieved what it can.

I know this might sound super defeatist, but I think the shadow of the Belgium game is lingering over the “Golden Generation” and think it always will.

Realistically outside of a couple of Gold Cup and National Leagues wins early on in Berhalter’s tenure, this generation has failed to live up to the hype in any way.

(I guess they lived up to qualifying to WC but with an expanded format that doesn’t really matter anyways.)

They are mentally soft, I think the Belgium game exposed that to everyone and they’re all unable to shake it off.

We have a lot of talented young players, I’m especially impressed with Cavan and Neil Pierre at Philadelphia and following their growth. I’m also very excited that Poch is looking to reform youth soccer as part of his new contract and the Federation is becoming more involved with the US Youth Soccer organization.

If Poch can begin to incorporate some of our youth prospects and build out the youth system, I will be eternally grateful. I ultimately don’t expect anything great from this generation.