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Yahoo
6 minutes ago
- Yahoo
'I back myself against any player' - USMNT star Auston Trusty embraces Champions League challenge with Celtic FC
Defender thriving under pressure of elite European competition Former Arsenal player believes in his ability to compete at highest level Celtic center back appreciates path from MLS to Champions League WHAT HAPPENED U.S. international Auston Trusty says he's loved every second of Champions League football since joining Celtic from Sheffield United in August 2024. The 26-year-old American defender believes his time in the Premier League and Championship prepared him well for facing top-tier opposition. 'I love every second. I mean I back myself against any player really," Trusty said on the Vamos podcast with Herculez Gomez. "Come out here playing the Premier League, now playing in the Champions League, you have to have your ability, you have to have the ability to back yourself mentally as well. Any chance I get to play with these guys and to play against these historic teams, I always go back to me as a little kid growing up, and just like this was not even reality, really! 'Like this was this wasn't even like possible for me to be here, living my dream day in day out be where I am at, where I'm at mentally and also physically, and it goes like wise as a player. I'm just, I'm living my life. I'm living my dream, man.' Trusty shared that the confidence in his abilities has been there since he was a little kid, just starting to play football, and while he's been through ups and downs, he continues to back himself. 'I don't think it starts there,' Trusty explained. 'I think it started since I was a little kid, all the are plenty of ups and downs. And I think through those moments through those times, I've slowly layered by layer of the layer, backing myself and showing myself my ability.' WHAT AUSTON TRUSTY SAID Trusty wasn't included on the U.S. men's national team roster for the 2025 Gold Cup, but the Celtic center-back has remained supportive of the program and believes the tournament was a valuable learning experience for the group. Trusty further touched upon the USMNT's Gold Cup summer and believes that while the team initially had a tough run, he thinks that they've learnt a lot and that the blocks are in place. 'Obviously, I would love to go and represent the country,' Trusty said. 'That's my entire dream. Any call up I can get, I'll be eager to take full advantage...I back coach back the team and obviously, you had some bad results. No one wants these results, but I think the team is just learning. He added, 'Some of those guys were key guys who have been on the team in the past, and they brought in some new people. So we're just finding our way, but I think we do have time. I think on the outside, it seems like, 'oh, what's going on?' But I think Poch really has a good idea what's going to happen, and he's still like building the blocks, but I think we're in a good spot.' The center back also praised Pochettino for the tactical knowledge he's brought to the setup, reflecting on his own experience in early camps under the Argentine. 'He called me in the first couple of camps, it was great, they were great. And I haven't had too much conversations [or been] in touch since then, but it's all good standing...I think the coaches have been really good and obviously they're highly qualified and experienced too," he said. 'Poch is an extremely experienced coach, so you know he knows what he's talking about, so to be in those environments, to put yourself in that environment to maybe adapt to doing certain things or do things, maybe, maybe you're not used to doing, it only benefits yourself. So I've only looked at that in a really positive way." THE BIGGER PICTURE Trusty signed for Celtic in the summer of 2024 and has since made 38 appearances for The Bhoys, scoring one goal and winning the Scottish Championship as well as the Scottish League Cup in his debut season. Not only that, he has earned four caps for the USMNT, making his debut in March 2023, with his last cap coming in November 2024. WHAT'S NEXT? Celtic's Champions League campaign provides Trusty with continued opportunities to establish himself at the elite level of European competition. The defender is currently a part of the club's preseason activities as he prepares himself for the 2025-26 season.
Yahoo
32 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Ben Doak shines as 3 players impress Arne Slot in game No. 1 vs. Athletic Bilbao
Liverpool beat Athletic Bilbao 4-1 in the first of two back-to-back friendlies on Monday at Anfield. It was a slick attacking performance from the Reds who, despite a few defensive hiccups, were in control for long spells. Two goals, scored via Rio Ngumoha and Darwin Nunez, within five minutes got the game off to a perfect start, after the pre-match tributes to Diogo Jota. Ben Doak grabbed a third before the break to underline the Reds' dominance, although that dropped a little after the half-time break. Harvey Elliott did get his name on the scoresheet too, before Gorka Guruzeta scored a consolation for the visitors following several changes from Arne Slot. Here's who stood out for Liverpool in game no.1 of the double header. READ MORE: What happened ahead of Liverpool vs. Athletic Bilbao game as fans evacuated from Anfield READ MORE: Liverpool player ratings, winners and losers vs Athletic Club as Rio Ngumoha and 2 more excellent Ben Doak If Slot is still trying to decide whether Doak has a role to play this season, Monday's game will have only signified how talented the young Scot is. He was a constant menace down Liverpool's right, linking well with Harvey Elliott. In fact, the pair combined for Nunez's opener, when Doak's cross was nodded down by Ngumoha, before Liverpool's no.9 flicked it past Alez Padilla in the away goal. Doak, who showed a good turn of pace throughout and produced several penetrative runs in behind, grabbed the third of the game when he drove down the line and fired at goal. Admittedly, it was a moment Padilla won't want to see back as he flapped unsuccessfully at the ball. Minutes before, the Liverpool teenager had forced the goalkeeper into a smart save at his near post; the Bilbao defence were pleased with a break at half-time. They were also sparred another battering after the break with Doak withdrawn after 55 minutes on an enjoyable return to Anfield. Rio Ngumoha The summer of 2025 could well be remembered as the breakthrough period of Ngumoha's Liverpool career. He may just be 16, but it's difficult to see a way in which Slot doesn't include him in his first-team plans this season. After wowing on tour, the ex-Chelsea youngster brought the same energy to Monday's fixture. He was energetic, showed breath-takingly quick feet, and also has an ability to provide decisive moments. He proved that within two minutes when he fired a curling shot into the net with his right foot after a dazzling Liverpool breakaway. His flick set up Nunez's goal soon after and he bamboozled right-back Andoni Gorosabel repeatedly in the first half. That waned slightly as the game continued, although a jink inside drew an excited collective intake of breath from the Anfield crowd at the start of the second period. Ngumoha was replaced after 67 minutes on his second Anfield senior appearance. One suspects the third isn't far away. Curtis Jones In a game that at times lacked intensity, Jones footwork stood out at Anfield. It's no surprise that the pace wasn't full pelt at this stage of the summer, and Liverpool enjoyed long spells of possession. Jones' ability to move the ball forward with speed and technical control were noticeable and on several occasions he even forced Alejandro Rego Mora into a cynical foul after he cut down Liverpool's no.17. Jones also played a role in the build up to Elliott's late goal and he dropped deeper after Alexis Mac Allister made way in the second half to help Liverpool retain possession. Any one else? This was an impressive team performance and a few others stood. Trey Nyoni made some important interceptions at center-back and look confident in possession. Kostas Tsimikas made few errors at left-back, while Nunez looked sharp and linked well with team-mates on potentially his last Liverpool performance at Anfield.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
AC Milan open talks to sign Liverpool striker Nunez
AC Milan have made their first move to sign Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez (h/t Sky Sports). The Italian giants have held initial talks with the Premier League club as they continue their search for a new number nine this summer. While no formal bid has been made yet, Milan have stepped up interest in the Uruguayan forward and are weighing up a possible approach. The 26-year-old joined Liverpool from Benfica in 2022. Despite showing flashes of quality, he has struggled for consistency in front of goal across all competitions. Liverpool willing to let Nunez leave Hugo Ekitike has joined Liverpool from Eintracht Frankfurt, while the club are also looking at Newcastle United's Alexander Isak. The arrival of more attacking options could limit Nunez's chances next season. That has led to speculation over his future at Anfield. Milan are one of several clubs exploring a deal. Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal have also shown interest, but Nunez prefers to remain in Europe. That desire could work in Milan's favour, as they continue to explore various attacking targets. They need a reliable centre-forward to lead the line. The club have already been linked with Goncalo Ramos and Artem Dovbyk. Nunez finished last season with seven goals and seven assists across all competitions. His movement and work rate have been praised, but his finishing and decision-making still raise questions. With talks already underway, Milan will be hoping to agree terms soon.
