Tyler Adams does not score often. But if he does, it is usually significant.
Before Thursday, the 21-year-old midfielder had scored just seven times since proceeding at 16 with the New York Red Bulls II. But one of these was an equalizer for the senior side of the Red Bulls in a Concacaf Champions League quarter-final. Two others came in a 3-3 draw against rival DC United. And then there was the game-winner in the U.S. national team 1-0 friendly win over Mexico in September 2018.
But none of them were as big as Thursday’s goal in Lisbon, Portugal. In fact, a pretty airtight affair could be made that no goal ever scored by an American international in club competition was as seismic as Adams’ deflected strike in the 88th minute of Atlético Madrid’s 2-1 defeat to RB Leipzig. The victory lifts RBL, which was founded just 11 years ago, in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals for the first time. And it lifts Adams into the small pantheon of American men who have made their mark on the scoresheet at the highest level of the club game.
No American player had ever scored in the quarterfinals of the Champions League or later. And Adams could just be the second to play in the half when RB Leipzig meet Paris Saint-Germain at Benfica’s Estfio da Luz on 18 August. Recently retired DaMarcus Beasley appeared for PSV Eindhoven in the final four of 2005 against AC Milan, loss on away goals. (Jovan Kirovski also played for Borussia Dortmund in the 1997 Intercontinental Cup / Club World Cup final).
“We are really excited. We know Paris are a great team, of course, “said Adams after Thursday’s triumph.” Now it’s about getting it right, getting our mentality right and drawing up a game plan. But we are confident in our capabilities, as well. you saw today, so we will bring what we can. “
Leipzig were the better team through much of Thursday’s quarter-final, but Atleti have a lot of experience at this stage of European competition and leveled the score at 1-1 with a penalty from João Félix in the 71st minute. Adams came on as a substitute a minute later. It just marked his second Champions League appearance.
“It’s so exciting for me, I think, to come in and play in a Champions League game,” he said. ‘You know that the first six months, when we started the Champions League championship, I was injured. That it’s a good feeling to come out, apparently fully fit, and show what I’m capable of. ”
Adams was a regular for Leipzig in the run-up to the restart of the Bundesliga season, as the club finished third, thus qualifying for the 2020-21 Champions League. Then came a three-week break, and finally Adams’ chance to contribute to this season’s league.
Leipzig had made the past easier for Tottenham Hotspur in the home and away rounds of 16, but Thursday’s quarter-final would be just one game. And as extra time approached, the quarterfinals turned around. RBL’s Marcel Sabitzer struck a beautiful, curling, one-time pass from the center circle that split four Atleti defenders and freed left-back Angeliño into the left channel. Instead of crossing over to the two Leipzig players running into the penalty area, the Spaniard cut the branch back into an open space at the penalty area. Adams was there and alone. He took a call, and then ripped a shot that went to the left post when Stefan Savic’s defender played. Athletic goalkeeper Jan Oblak had no chance.
“It’s a deflection, but it counts the same as a regular, so I’ll take it,” Adams said. ‘For the first 70 minutes it was a close game. So when I arrived, I obviously wanted to bring energy and help the team in every way possible. Get your first goal [for Leipzig] is a bit unexpected for me. I’m not a typical goal scorer, but I’m glad I was able to help the team. ”
Help the team, and make history. Adams’ goal may be the greatest by an American abroad, but it is not the only important one. Here are some of the more notable entries on that limited list:
John Harkes (Sheffield Wednesday vs. Derby County, 1990)
An American scored England’s goal of the season, and it came from the foot of one of the true European pioneers of American football. That’s how you make an impression. Harkes also scored for Wednesday in a losing effort in the final of the 1993 Football League Cup.
DaMarcus Beasley (PSV Eindhoven vs. Rosenborg, 2004)
There could not have been a PSV run-up to the Champions League semi-finals, if not for Beasley’s goal in the fourth leg of the group stage against Rosenborg. His finish in the 10th minute, which required him to arrange a long pass and then run around the Rosenborg goalkeeper, lifted PSV to a 1-0 victory and the three points needed to finish second. – by ending a point – in their group (1:38 in the clip above).
Jay DeMerit (Watford vs. Leeds United, 2006)
DeMerit’s incredible rags-to-riches story was punctuated in the 25th minute of the final of the Football League Championship promotion against Leeds, as he headed home the opening (and winning) goal. Watford won, 3-0, and DeMerit was tied for the Premier League.
Maurice Edu (Rangers vs. Celtic, 2010)
The midfielder managed a critical Old Firm matchup in the last minute of stoppage time, when he sounded on a rebound and lifted Rangers to a critical 1-0 victory. There was a pandemonium at Ibrox, and Rangers were on their way to a second straight league title.
Clint Dempsey (Fulham vs. Juventus, 2010)
Fulham may have been a Premier League team from London, but it was a minnow compared to mighty Juventus. The inequality was evident for much of their 2009-10 UEFA Europa League round-of-16 series, which led Juve, 4-1 overall, after two minutes of second leg at Craven Cottage. Then Bobby Zamora scored for Fulham and Zoltán Gera scored twice, setting the stage for Dempsey to score the most scintillating Yanks abroad, even if it is no longer the most important. His playful chip to the far post put Fulham on a path to the final and will always be a massive part of Deuce’s legend.
Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund vs. Benfica, 2017)
Dortmund put together a Champions League round-of-16 win over Benfica, 4-1, on aggregate, but it was Pulisic’s deft chip in the 59th minute of the second leg that broke a deadlock. The goal did more than BVB sent on the road – it confirmed the 18-year-old Pulisic as a rising star.
Christian Pulisic (Chelsea vs. Arsenal, 2020)
Pulisic became the first American man to score in the final of the FA Cup, one of the biggest stages of football, on August 1st. Chelsea would lose, but the moment Pulisic gave the Blues an early lead with a smooth dribble and finish is sure to be scored between goals scored by American players abroad.
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