USMNT Pool: Penalty Kicks (PKs) - Take your pick!

Another positive data point from yesterday's top-of-the-table clash between Coventry City and Middlesbrough. Haji Wright had two goals to his credit, and Coventry led 2-1, when Wright stepped to the spot and scored his third - to ice the match - in a 3-1 victory.

 

Noting, though without enthusiasm ... Marseille and Toulouse went to PKs yesterday, to resolve their Coupe de France dispute. Weah and McKenzie were both available, but neither was given the opportunity to participate. Weah might have been a good choice, though, as two of five Marseille players failed to convert, and Marseille was eliminated 3-4.

 

First, a positive report from the field:

I don't want to make too much of this, but I see Trusty's success - on tired legs, at the end of a full, scoreless match - as a definite plus to his chances of making the WC roster. It's just one data point, and a miss wouldn't have ended his chances, but his most-likely WC role would seem to be as a substitute (say) at LCB for a tiring Ream, late in the match or in extra time ... perhaps heading for PKs in a KO match.

 

Another positive report from the field ...

 

Positive and significant ...

Aaronson came on as a long-term sub yesterday in the FA Cup quarterfinals, drawing a penalty that he did not take, but then scoring from the spot himself after extra time, to help Leeds advance over West Ham 4-2 on PKs. On to the semifinals.

 

Balogun earned, took, and converted a PK on Sunday in Monaco's 2-2 draw with Auxerre.

Johnny was available but not selected to take a PK in Atletico's shootout loss to Real Sociedad in Saturday's Copa del Rey Final, RS prevailing 3-4 on PKs.

 

Perhaps helping his chances for selection marginally, Alex Zendejas stepped to the spot at 85’ and beat Keylor Navas to tie tonight’s match tonight at three. {Finished America 3-3 Pumas}

 

Widening the pool, in the right direction ...

Samuel 'Big Sam' Adeniran ... Give me a triple shot of that stuff!

 

A busy day yesterday, as ...

Robinson evened the score at 1-1 for Fulham late in the first half with a well-taken PK. The match ended 1-1.

Pepi tacked on the fifth goal in PSV's final league match, scoring a late PK in a 5-1 victory.

Sam Adeniran scored another PK for LASK in a 0-3 victory, which clinched first place in the Austrian Bundesliga.

Also of note, Milan scored another PK, but Nkunku scored it, not Pulisic (who had not yet entered as a substitute). Pulisic did have an important late assist in a 1-2 victory.

We know it's been a while, but when was Pulisic's last PK goal for club or country?