USMNT This Week: Agyemang continues dominant run in Championship

Patrick Agyemang’s first season abroad continues to reward persistence. In a week defined by fine margins and late drama, the Derby County forward once again proved capable of turning pressure into production, delivering the defining moment in a hard-fought clash in the English Championship.

Agyemang opened the scoring in the 44th minute of Derby’s 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion, finishing from close range after a set-piece sequence broke loose in the box. The goal capped an active first half that saw him repeatedly engage defenders, winning fouls in advanced areas and keeping Derby on the front foot.

His influence extended beyond the goal. Early in the second half, Agyemang continued to pressure West Brom’s back line, drawing another foul in the attacking half and staying involved as Derby looked to build on its lead. Even as the match tightened, his work rate never dipped. In the 68th minute, he slipped a through ball to Ben Brereton on the counter, setting up a clear look that narrowly missed wide.

West Brom’s late equalizer in stoppage time ultimately denied Derby a home win, but Agyemang’s performance remained the clearest attacking outlet on the night. Subbed off in the 85th minute after another defensive-phase foul won, he left having dictated long stretches of Derby’s attacking rhythm.

Elsewhere in the Championship, Haji Wright delivered the decisive moment Coventry City needed. After a busy but uneven first hour against Millwall, Wright found the breakthrough in the 78th minute, guiding a left-footed finish into the bottom corner from the center of the box to give Coventry a 2-1 lead.

The goal was the culmination of steady pressure. Wright had already tested Millwall goalkeeper Max Crocombe with a point-blank header earlier in the match and remained involved through the buildup despite being caught offside once in the first half. His late strike ultimately stood as the winner, and he was withdrawn minutes later as Coventry closed out the result.

Up in the Premier League, Chris Richards found the net on a difficult afternoon for Crystal Palace. Starting in a back three against Chelsea, Richards was active defensively throughout the second half, making multiple clearances as Palace absorbed pressure.

His moment came late. In the 88th minute, Richards reacted quickest in the box during a corner kick scramble, flicking the ball home from close range to pull one back for Palace. The goal served as a late consolation in a 3-1 defeat but marked a milestone moment, coming on his 100th appearance across all competitions for the club.

In Italy, Weston McKennie delivered another pair of performances that reinforced his growing influence for Juventus. Midweek in the Champions League, McKennie was central to Juventus’ 2-0 win over Benfica, scoring the decisive second goal after combining neatly on the edge of the area and sliding a composed finish into the bottom corner. The strike marked his third straight Champions League match with a goal, pushing him to 10 in the competition overall.

He was dangerous throughout, creating chances with late runs and nearly adding a second when his effort struck the post after a scramble in the box. Juventus booked their place in the knockout rounds, controlling the second half after a tightly contested opening period.

McKennie followed that up with a start against Napoli in Serie A, operating behind the striker and contributing on both sides of the ball. While he didn’t add to the scoreline in the 3-0 win, his presence in midfield helped Juventus manage Napoli’s spells of possession and transition cleanly between phases.

In France, Timothy Weah continued his productive run for Marseille. Operating from the right, Weah was consistently involved in advanced areas and provided the assist on Marseille’s third goal in a 3-1 win over Lens, delivering the final pass for Amine Gouiri’s finish from the center of the box.

Weah also drew multiple fouls as Marseille pushed the tempo in the second half, helping stretch Lens and keep pressure on the back line. The win capped another efficient outing as Marseille pulled away late to secure all three points.