{"id":26496,"date":"2021-02-26T21:56:32","date_gmt":"2021-02-27T02:56:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/wtbu\/?p=26496"},"modified":"2021-02-26T21:56:32","modified_gmt":"2021-02-27T02:56:32","slug":"stars-stripes-and-soccer-weekly-round-up-feb-15-21-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.bu.edu\/wtbu\/2021\/02\/26\/stars-stripes-and-soccer-weekly-round-up-feb-15-21-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"Stars, Stripes and Soccer: Weekly Round Up (Feb. 15-21 2021)"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Cameron Meyer<\/p>\n

With the Champions League and the Europa League back in full swing this past week on top of European league matches, there were plenty opportunities for Americans abroad to make a statement on the pitch. Some did, and some\u2026\u00a0 had an off week.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here were the best and worst performances of Americans this past week:<\/span><\/p>\n

Best Performances of the Week:<\/b><\/h2>\n

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(Photo courtesy of Michael Molzar\/SEPA.Media\/Getty Images)<\/em><\/p>\n

Brenden Aaronson (RedBull Salzburg\/Austria)<\/h3>\n

What happens when you pair an American playmaker with an American head coach in Europe? Apparently, the makings of a more-than-promising prospect at the highest level. Aaronson made the step over to Austria only a couple months ago, yet he looks right at home.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Playing on the right and left side of a 4-4-2 (or 4-2-2-2; whatever you want to call it), he has really shined coming inside and being a creative outlet. In this role, Aaronson hasn\u2019t seen the same hindrances to his game that he had in Philadelphia.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Back in the states, he sometimes had trouble finding the ball and got lost in games as the number ten. At Salzburg, now in his new role, Aaronson has the byline to work with as opposed to the vast center of the park that comes with being the Trequartista.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

His games this past week, most specifically the weekend match against Rapid Wien, were some of his best displays of talent in a Salzburg kit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

https:\/\/twitter.com\/UCLonCBSSports\/status\/1362526066204631043<\/a><\/p>\n

Midweek against Villareal, Aaronson didn\u2019t get too many chances on the ball considering his side\u2019s 43 percent possession rate, but when he did, he looked sharp. He also showed off some of his flair for the highlight reels in the 20th minute – not bad for an American.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, his hands-down best performance of the week came on Sunday. He bossed the Salzburg attack in a game he only started due to an injury during warmups accrued by Noah Okafor. I genuinely wish I could put at least five of his highlights, but I\u2019ll restrain myself to his best one.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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This hockey assist to open up the scoring for Salzburg required immense precision and patience. Despite his mark falling down, he doesn\u2019t go to the end line as he sees his options are running in late. Instead, knowing he can beat the defender with quick feet, sizes him up and sends a great ball in that leads to a goal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tim Weah (Lille\/France)<\/b><\/h3>\n

Ever since Tim Weah had his series of devastating injuries that kept him off the field for Lille, his stock has dropped drastically with many USMNT fans. Recently, he\u2019s shown up his doubters in a big way.<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite an attack that includes Jonathan Ikone, Jonathan David, Jonathan Bamba (notice a trend) and Yusuf Yazici, Weah has forced himself onto the team sheet with some stellar performances. His midweek match against Ajax definitely qualifies as one of them.<\/span><\/p>\n