Leeds United could claim a small victory when England were held to a goalless draw against the United States. While supporters, with their Three Lions glasses on, would hardly have been celebrating the point, Tyler Adams provided plenty of promise for the future.
A lot of the post-match reaction was aimed in a positive light towards the £20million summer arrival. Signed as Kalvin Phillips’ replacement, Adams thwarted England’s midfield while the former Leeds man watched on.
Brenden Aaronson, too, came off the bench for the second time at the World Cup. The American connection at Elland Road continues to grow and is expected to heighten further in the coming years.
READ MORE: Big Leeds United Forum - your views on ownership, Marsch, January transfers
A complete sale to the San Francisco 49ers is expected to take place in 2024, with the NFL franchise already owning a 44 per cent stake. With Jesse Marsch in the dugout, the Whites already have a transatlantic feel to the club.
The footballing - or soccer - quality emerging from the States appears to increase with each generation. Ahead of the January transfer window, LeedsLive has profiled three US players Marsch could target next.
Christian Pulisic
The poster boy of America’s promising generation, Pulisic impressed against England - earning the man of the match award. However, just three Premier League starts for Chelsea has seen the winger become surplus to requirements.
There were rumours of a move over the summer, with Manchester United and Newcastle reportedly interested. Staying put at Stamford Bridge appeared counter-productive as a move is probably best for all parties.
Chelsea and Leeds’ frosty relationship is unfavourable when trying to do a deal but Dan James’ transfer in recent years proves it could be done. With 18 months on his contract, Pulisic - still only 24 - could be available for cheaper than his market value.
Weston McKennie
Like Pulisic, signing McKennie would be a statement of intent from Leeds. A Juventus midfielder, the 24-year-old has struggled to nail down his spot in the starting line-up since moving to Turin permanently last year.
McKennie was picked up by Schalke in 2016 so is no stranger to representing some of Europe’s top clubs. Leeds would have one of the strongest engine rooms in the Premier League should they sign Adams’ midfield partner.
With Juventus struggling in Serie A again, do not be surprised if a squad overhaul takes place next summer. A 6ft 1in, box-to-box American with bags of potential could become a hit at Elland Road.
Giovanni Reyna
Son of former Manchester City midfielder Claudio, the youngster was born in Sunderland - where his father played between 2001-2003. His mother, Danielle Egan, was also a US international footballer, so he comes from good stock.
At 20, Reyna is billed as the future talisman of US football and has graduated from the famous Borussia Dortmund academy. The attacking midfielder has been used sporadically during the ongoing World Cup but will undoubtedly play a prominent role in future tournaments.
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