A busy Bundesliga slate Saturday produced highlights and lowlights from the perspective of MLS, US men’s national team and Canada men’s national team fans.
Here’s the full rundown from Matchday 33 in Germany’s top flight.
Bayern Munich 3, SC Freiburg 1
Center back Chris Richards, a US youth international who was transferred overseas from FC Dallas in 2019, made his first-team debut for Bayern Munich. He appeared as a substitute in the 84th minute, replacing Javi Martinez for the 2019-20 Bundesliga champions. With the title in hand, Vancouver Whitecaps export Alphonso Davies didn’t feature.
RB Leipzig 0, Borussia Dortmund 2
Giovanni Reyna, a NYCFC academy product and US men’s national team hopeful, made his first Bundesliga start for Dortmund on Saturday. He assisted on Erling Haaland’s 30th-minute goal before being subbed off for Leonardo Balerdi in the 81st minute. Meanwhile, USMNT midfielder and New York Red Bulls product Tyler Adams was a halftime substitute in defeat.
Fortuna Dusseldorf 1, Augsburg 1
This was a muted affair from a USMNT perspective, as goalkeeper Zack Steffen further recovers from injury and midfielder Alfredo Morales was an unused substitute. As for Augsburg, former FC Dallas midfielder Carlos Gruezo went the full 90 minutes. Dusseldorf currently sit in the relegation playoff spot, though could go down depending on Matchday 34 results.
Mainz 3, Werder Bremen 1
USMNT striker Josh Sargent and Werder Bremen’s attempts to stave off relegation were dealt another setback, and now a final regular-season game awaits. They’ll face Koln next Saturday, with either direct relegation or a relegation playoff spot awaiting. Sargent played 90 minutes in this defeat, and he has three goals and four assists in 27 Bundesliga appearances.
FC Schalke 1, Werder Bremen 4
USMNT midifelder Weston McKennie logged 90 minutes as Schalke sits midtable, while USMNT center back John Anthony Brooks helped Werder Bremen strengthen their grasp on a Europa League spot. He also played 90 minutes, with three second-half goals putting the match out of reach.
Paderborn 1, Borussia Monchengladbach 3
Monchengladbach breezed to a win, though former USMNT midfielder/defender Fabian Johnson didn’t appear in the matchday squad. He’s set to leave the club, and has been linked to an MLS move in recent weeks.
