Jesse_marsch_-_asn_-_top_-__mike_lawrence_-_isi Mike Lawrence/ISI
Americans abroad analysis

Possible Marsch promotion, Sorona in the Libertadores, Weah, German Cup, & more

A lot of American players enjoyed good weeks - including Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah, Joel Sonora, and others. But is Jesse Marsch poised for a huge career breakthrough.
BY Brian Sciaretta Posted
February 07, 2019
4:00 AM
IT WAS A busy weekend of midweek action for Americans abroad with the German Cup and Scottish Premier League in action. But also, Joel Sonora made his Copa Libertadores debut on Wednesday night with a late game cameo and a potentially groundbreaking news for Jesse Marsch.

On Tuesday there was only limited action as Christian Pulisic scored for Borussia Dortmund in a losing effort against Werder Bremen. It was positive to see the Hershey native get back on the scoresheet and hopefully it yields more playing time as he aims for a Bundesliga title and a move the Chelsea.

But Wednesday brought a lot more news to it, including a potential blockbuster on the coaching front.

Marsch to take over Salzburg?

On Thursday, a big story broke out of Germany that stated American Jesse Marsch was in line to become the next head coach of Red Bull Salzburg. Last year, Marsch left the New York Red Bulls halfway through the season and took a high-level assistant coaching job at RB Leipzig (New York, Leipzig, and Salzburg all are owned by Red Bull).

But Leipzig is currently having a successful season where it is in third place in the Bundesliga and set to qualify for the Champions League. With this, Marsch would take over Red Bull Salzburg which is currently running away with the Austrian Bundesliga with a 14 point cushion in first place.



If this report is accurate, Marsch would not only get to coach the perennial Austrian favorite but also coach a team likely to qualify automatically for the group stages of the Champions League.

Historically there have not been many American born and raised coaches in Europe with Bob Bradley’s brief-stint as the manager for Swansea City as a high point. Marsch would have better circumstances in Salzburg than his mentor, Bradley. For one, he would take over a team with more stability and also begin in preseason. Salzburg would also look to use a system currently utilized by both New York and Leipzig.

Marsch remains one of the most promising young American coaches in the game and this would be a massive step forward for him.

Sonora makes Copa Libertadores debut

After scoring his first goal in Argentina’s Superliga for Talleres in a 3-1 win over Banfield, Joel Sonora, 22, made his Copa Libertadores debut on Wednesday night. The 2015 U.S. U-20 World Cup midfielder did not have to do much as he was a stoppage time cameo in a 2-0 first leg win over Sao Paulo, but he added his name to a very short list of Americans who have played in the prestigious South American tournament .

Talleres will now have to travel to Brazil for next week’s second leg.

Weah continues fine form

United States national team attacker Tim Weah, 18, continues to play very well for Celtic where his has been a consistent threat since joining the Scottish Premier League leaders last month. Over the weekend he had a goal and an assist in 15 minutes off the bench in a 2-0 win over St. Johstone.

On Wednesday, he had a “hockey assist” on the first goal of a 2-0 win over Hibernian. Some “hockey assists” mean more than others but this was a good one as it played the ball through the defensive line which was instrumental to the goal.



Adams & Leipzig down Brooks & Wolfsburg

Tyler Adams earned his third straight start for Leipzig in a German Cup and helped his club advance to the quarterfinals with a 1-0 win over John Brooks and Wolfsburg.

Adams was not as sharp as he was offensively in his first two Bundesliga games but he was solid defensively, as usual. Coaches tend to not want to change starting lineups much if a team is winning and Adams has not only won his first three games playing for Leipzig, but he has also gone a full 90 in each with Leipzig outscoring its opponents 8-0 with Adams on the field.

Brooks, meanwhile, struggled defensively with many of Leipzig’s best chances coming in his area. This is somewhat disappointing as Brooks was fantastic over the weekend as Wolfsburg defeated Hertha BSC on the road to move into the Europa League spots. Brooks can be a top-tier defender but consistency remains a major problem.

McKennie and Schalke down Dusseldorf

Also in the round of 16 in the German Cup on Wednesday, Schalke cruised past Fortuna Dusseldorf with by a 4-1 scoreline. Weston McKennie started for Schalke (Haji Wright was not in the 18) and Alfredo Morales started for Fortuna Dusseldorf.

McKennie wasn’t crisp with his passing throughout the entire game but he did help set up the first two goals. The first came when he headed the ball onto a teammate off a throw-in for a “hockey assist” and the second came when his header off a corner forced a save which his teammate tapped-in off a rebound.

Later in the game McKennie actually shifted to central defense where he possibly remains a back-up option.



Congratulations to Gooch

The U.S. national team midfielder missed a game recently for Sunderland, but for good reason. 


Kelman wins award

United States U-18 forward Charlie Kelman, 17, won the League One goal of the Month award for January for this beauty. Even more impressive is that he was making his league debut in the game and had only been on the field for a few minutes once it was scored. 

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