GOAL looks at the biggest storylines among Americans Abroad, including Richards and Palace seeking first FA Cup final since 2016
It is gearing up to be a big weekend for Americans Abroad, one with history on the line.
Chris Richards, Matt Turner and Crystal Palace are playing in an FA Cup semifinal, with the Premier League side looking to return to the final of the competition for the first time since 2016 – and just the third time ever, with their first appearance coming in 1990. Their last semifinal was in 2022, when they lost to Chelsea 2-0 – and before that, it was 2016. However, the have never won the coveted trophy.
Also in England, Haji Wright, Frank Lampard and Coventry City face a pivotal two weeks. The Championship side are in the midst of a race for a promotion playoff spot, and with two games left, they control their own destiny – two wins automatically sets them up to compete in the playoffs for a spot in the Premier League next season, while anything less leads to more complicated pathways.
The U.S. winger, however, is in fine form and will be looking to lead his squad this weekend in their penultimate match of the campaign.
In Italy, another scenario is playing out i which permutations could come into play. After a midweek loss to Parma in Serie A action, Weston McKennie and Juventus are nearing must-win territory if they want to secure UEFA Champions League soccer in the 2025-26 season.
Can the midfielder help lead them to a big result over bottom-dwellers Monza, or will their rather poor midweek showing overshadow? Despite not featuring much of late, could Tim Weah make an impact off the bench?
GOAL looks at some of the biggest storylines to follow among Americans Abroad this weekend.
Getty Images SportPalace searching for FA Cup glory
An American player has never won the FA Cup, England's most storied and historic tournament. Not Tim Howard or Kasey Keller, not Christian Pulisic or Antonee Robinson. Chris Richards – and backup Palace goalkeeper Matt Turner – have the chance to become the first to do so.
It would be historic in every sense – Palace would be in dreamland just making it to the final of the competition – but winning it? It's like a IMAX 70MM experience.
Richards has started the last four FA Cup matches, playing 90 minutes in each, while recording an assist in a 3-1 over Millwall in February. Turner also appeared in three FA Cup matches this season, also against Millwall.
This weekend, Richards is expected to get the nod at central defense, and will look to have a performance to remember against a talented Aston Villa attack that boasts the likes of Ollie Watkins, Marcus Rashford, Jacob Ramsey and Morgan Rogers. It won't be an easy task, but in Cup competitions, anything can happen.
The last time they met this season marked Villa's last Premier League loss – a 4-1 battering on Feb. 25, in which Richards played 90 minutes. Having already defeated Unai Emery's men recently in domestic play, the and Richards will have full belief they can do so again. History awaits.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportFrank Lampard and Haji Wright searching for greatness
Both Leeds United and Burnley have secured promotion to the Premier League for the 2025-26 season, but the third team that will join them? It will be determined via the English Championship Playoff, and Coventry are right in the thick of looking to secure a spot.
Sitting sixth in the standings in the fourth and final playoff spot heading into the penultimate day of the season, Coventry are on 66 points, trailing fifth-place Bristol City by one point. Both Sheffield United and Sunderland have secured third and fourth respectively in the table, earning spots in the playoff, but the final two – fourth and fifth in the Championship – are still up for grabs.
A win against 22nd-place and relegation-threatened side Luton Town on Saturday would put them in pole-position for a playoff spot heading into the final day of the season, where they host none other than current seventh-placed Middlesbrough. However, Coventry need to take it one match at a time right now, and Luton is up first.
Wright is in red-hot form, with five goals in his last seven matches, including the lone effort in a recent 3-1 loss to Plymouth.
"We just need to have a go at what is in front of us now for these final two games," manager Frank Lampard said via the CoventryObserver.
AFPJuventus can't afford another hiccup
Weston McKennie, Tim Weah and the stumbled badly on Wednesday. A midweek Serie A match against a relegation-threatened side in Parma, Juventus lost 1-0 – and with it, their top-four spot in the Serie A standings. They now sit fifth, trailing fourth-place Bologna by one point, with five matches remaining in the domestic Serie A season.
If they want to find themselves in the UEFA Champions League in 2025-26, they cannot afford to fall short in the race for top-four. After crashing out of both domestic and European competition this campaign, all they have left to play for is a top-four spot – and this final month will be pivotal to where they land next season.
McKennie has become a regular in the XI under the leadership of manager Igor Tudor, who was appointed after the sacking of Thiago Motta. However, he's been featured in a wide midfield role, more so than his natural No. 8 spot. Weah, meanwhile, has started just once under Tudor, and come off the bench three times. Most recently, he earned just four minutes against Parma in the narrow defeat.
This weekend, the meet another struggling foe in Monza – who sit last in Serie A. Anything but a victory for Juve this weekend would be considered a complete failure.
Getty Images SportAround the Continent
+ Tyler Adams and Bournemouth host Manchester United on Sunday, while the look to continue their three-match unbeaten streak as they dream of European soccer next season.
+ Tanner Tessmann and Lyon could move into a UCL position in Ligue 1 with three points when they clash with Rennes on Saturday.
+ Venezia and Gianluca Busio host Christian Pulisic and AC Milan in Serie A action Sunday. A win for the hosts could see them move out of the relegation zone, while the will be searching for a huge three points as they continue to hunt for European soccer in the 2025-26 season.