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Americans Abroad: USMNT midfielder Sebastian Berhalter shines with an assist on his Middlesbrough debut as Ricardo Pepi and PSV find it tough

GOAL takes a look at the main talking points involving Americans playing in Europe, including one eye-catching debut.

While many of the biggest names in American football are still waiting for their campaigns to begin, several World Cup veterans were in action over the weekend. The biggest story of the weekend was an outstanding debut, one that gives America’s new favourite team a bit of momentum before the start of their season.

New arrivals Sebastian Berhalter and Max Arfsten wasted no time in making an impact for Middlesbrough, with Berhalter creating the decisive goal in the pair’s first appearance for the club. As a result, Boro have started the campaign with an EFL Cup victory, and Berhalter and Arfsten set the tone in their new surroundings with an ideal first impression.

It was not all smooth, though. Ricardo Pepi and Diego Kochen both had difficult outings in their respective leagues, which are now under way as well. While the latter can be expected to go through some growing pains, the poor opening for the former’s club is already causing concern only a few days into the new season.

GOAL examines the key takeaways from this weekend’s Americans Abroad action.

Debuts at Boro

A post from a Middlesbrough supporter went semi-viral this weekend. In it, the fan described Berhalter as “f***ing mustard.” A follow-up explained that mustard meant good, which was fitting given the impression Berhalter made in his first outing.

That first appearance was highlighted by Berhalter’s assist, which helped Boro secure a 1-0 win over Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s Wrexham in the Carabao Cup. The assist was helped in no small part by a Will Lankshear finish, but that was far from Berhalter’s only contribution. He created more chances than anyone else on the pitch, with four. He also registered two tackles, two interceptions and 11 passes into the final third. He kept whipping in crosses as well and, even if they did not always find a team-mate, Berhalter showed his quality in striking the ball and creating danger, which is exactly why Boro brought him in.

The club also signed Arfsten, who made his debut too. Starting at left-back, the former Columbus Crew star played 67 minutes and had plenty of defensive work to do on his side of the pitch. It was not flawless, but it was steady enough, with Wrexham unable to break through.

With Aidan Morris expected back soon, there is a possibility that all three Americans could be important figures for Boro this season and, if Berhalter in particular maintains this standard, the club will have every reason to feel positive about their Championship campaign.

Tough day for Kochen and Lyngby

Kochen started his third straight game this weekend. It was, however, another difficult one for the 20-year-old goalkeeper.

This summer, Kochen was sent on loan to Lyngby, a club that could offer him the regular minutes Barcelona never really could. However, after three matches, Lyngby are still without a win. Their latest outing ended in a 2-0 defeat to Randers, continuing Lyngby’s unfortunate run of conceding multiple goals in every game so far this season.

Realistically, the results are not a shock. Lyngby are playing their first season in Denmark’s top division, so obvious growing pains were always likely. The same applies to the goalkeeper, who at only 20 still has plenty of development ahead of him. The hope is that progress comes over the course of this season, and that applies to both player and club after a difficult beginning to the campaign.

Reasons to worry about Pepi and PSV?

Pepi looked dangerous in PSV’s Eredivisie opener. He had more touches inside the box than any other player on the pitch. He also had the highest number of shots. There was no goal to show for it, though, which was part of the reason PSV had to settle for a disappointing draw.

After going 2-1 ahead in the 74th minute, PSV let the game slip late on, conceding a 92nd-minute equaliser in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Fortuna Sittard. As a result, PSV dropped points at the very start of their Eredivisie title defence, and that defence began with a rather underwhelming display.

It was a frustrating outing for Pepi in particular. In some respects, he was kept quiet, managing only 17 touches. Nearly half of those came inside the box, though, as Pepi hovered and waited for his big chance. It never arrived. Of his four shots, only one forced a save.

Things should improve for Pepi and PSV, who were without the team’s other American, Sergino Dest, because of a suspension carried over from last season. Still, after losing the Super Cup 4-0 to AZ Alkmaar, there is concern in Eindhoven, and those concerns are likely to remain until PSV begin to look a bit more like the side seen last season.

American defence leads Celtic to big win

Celtic began the season on Monday with an unusually quiet 1-0 victory over Dundee. Scotland’s champions were much closer to their best this weekend, though, producing a one-sided win in their second match.

Celtic thrashed Kilmarnock 5-1 on Saturday to make it six points from six at the start of the season. From an American point of view, World Cup veteran Auston Trusty started and completed the full 90 minutes. More significantly, Cameron Carter-Vickers started alongside him and also played the full match, doing so for the second time in less than a week after missing nearly all of last season through injury. That injury ended the 28-year-old defender’s hopes of pushing for the World Cup but, only a few days into the new season, Carter-Vickers appears to be back to full fitness.

That is very good news for Celtic, who look likely to depend heavily on their American central defensive partnership this season.