By OkayGoal
Chris Richards debut in the UEFA Europa League was a memorable one.
Richards scored his first goal of the season in Crystal Palace’s 3-0 home victory over Polish visitors Lech Poznan. The U.S. Men’s National Team centerback logged 90 minutes in Pierre Sage’s starting lineup, helping the reigning Conference League winners to a first league phase win in Europe’s second-highest club competition.
Yeremi Pino pounced on a Lech Poznan mistake to strike first for Crystal Palace after 10 minutes before Richards extended the hosts lead off of a corner kick.
Adam Wharton’s corner kick was headed home by Richards, who rose high to finish off the play. It marked Richards’ fifth-career goal for the club in all competitions.
Jorgen Strand Larsen made it 3-0 ahead of the interval, giving the Eagles more than enough to hang on for three points.
Richards finished the match with four duels won, four tackles completed, and two defensive recoveries, helping Crystal Palace to a vital clean sheet.
Up next for Richards and the Eagles is a trip to Leeds United in Premier League play on Sunday before the first international break of the season.
Elsewhere, Weston McKennie made his return for Juventus, assisting once in a home triumph over NEC Nijmegen. Tyler Adams helped Bournemouth to a first-ever European victory on the road at Real Sociedad. Cameron Carter-Vickers and Celtic suffered a disappointing home loss to Ferencvaros. Tim Weah and Marseille also suffered a European defeat on the road at Besiktas.
Here is a closer look at this week’s Americans Abroad:
Europe
UEFA Europa League
Chris Richards started, scored ONE GOAL, and played 90 minutes in Crystal Palace’s 4-0 win over Lech Poznan on Thursday.
Zavier Gozo did not dress for Crystal Palace.
Yunus Musah started and played 90 minutes in AC Milan’s 2-0 loss to Benfica on Wednesday.
Christian Pulisic came off the bench and played 45 minutes for AC Milan.
Tanner Tessmann started and played 90 minutes in Lyon’s 2-1 win over Anderlecht on Wednesday.
Bryan Reynolds started and played 80 minutes in Stade Rennes 0-0 draw with Sturm Graz on Wednesday.
Malik Tillman started and played 60 minutes in Bayer Leverkusen’s 2-0 win over Cejle on Wednesday.
Weston McKennie started, registered ONE ASSIST, and played 61 minutes in Juventus’ 5-0 win over NEC Nijmegen on Thursday.
Tyler Adams started and played 63 minutes in Bournemouth’s 2-1 win over Pellegrino Matarazzo‘s Real Sociedad on Thursday.
Tim Weah started and played 90 minutes in Marseille’s 4-1 loss to Besiktas on Thursday.
Cameron Carter-Vickers started and played 90 minutes in Celtic’s 3-1 loss to Ferencvaros on Thursday.
Auston Trusty dressed but did not play for Celtic.
England
EFL Cup
Antonee Robinson started and played 90 minutes in Fulham’s 3-2 win over West Ham United on Tuesday.
Championship
Aidan Morris started and played 90 minutes in Middlesbrough’s 2-2 draw with Millwall on Tuesday.
Sebastian Berhalter started and played 45 minutes for Middlesbrough.
Max Arfsten came off the bench and played 45 minutes for Middlesbrough.
Rokas Pukstas dressed but did not play for Middlesbrough.
Spain
La Liga
Johnny Cardoso started, registered ONE ASSIST, and played 85 minutes in Atletico Madrid’s 4-0 win over Osasuna on Wednesday.
Alex Freeman started and played 90 minutes in Villarreal’s 3-1 win over Malaga on Thursday.
Scotland
Premiership
CJ Fodrey came off the bench and played 33 minutes in Falkirk’s 2-1 win over Hearts on Tuesday.
JJ Williams came off the bench and played 45 minutes for Hearts.
Greece
Cup
Erik Palmer-Brown started and played 90 minutes in Panathinaikos’ 2-0 win over Kifisia FC on Wednesday.
Denmark
DBU Pokalen
Matthew Hoppe started, scored ONE GOAL, and played 70 minutes in Sonderjyske’s 3-1 loss to AB on Wednesday.