Americans Abroad Five: Auspicious debuts for Alex Freeman, Mathis Albert

Seth Vertelney, USA TODAYMon, April 27, 2026 at 3:14 PM UTC

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It was a weekend of debuts and streaks for Americans Abroad, as the European club season enters its home stretch.

This was a weekend to remember for Mathis Albert and Alex Freeman, each of which reached a milestone in careers that are on a highly promising trajectory.

For Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun, it wasn't the weekend they hoped for as one negative streak rolled on and another positive one ended.

Let's look back on the five biggest stories from the weekend in Europe.

1 / 0See USMNT in action against Belgium and Portugal during March friendlies

Weston McKennie of United States and Samu Costa of Portugal compete for the ball during the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga.

Mathis Albert debuts for Dortmund

We don't know how good Mathis Albert will turn out to be. He is, after all, still only 16.

But Albert has now ticked off the first accomplishment of his pro career, and it was an historic one.

The winger made his Bundesliga debut on Sunday, April 26, for Borussia Dortmund, coming on late in a 4-0 win over Freiburg at age 16 years, 11 months and 12 days. He is now the youngest American to play in the German top flight.

Albert, depending on which scouts you listen to, is either as good of a prospect as fellow former Dortmund teenagers Christian Pulisic and Gio Reyna, or possibly even better.

Where Albert's career goes from here is anyone's guess, but the U.S. youth international is off to an auspicious start.

Alex Freeman makes the most of debut

Alex Freeman had waited a long time for his full Villarreal debut. On Sunday it finally arrived – and he made the most of it.

Freeman has been biding his time since joining the La Liga club from Orlando City in January, the latest step in a stunningly fast rise for the 21-year-old right back.

After playing less than 90 minutes total through six substitute appearances, Freeman was handed his first start on Sunday against Celta Vigo. Playing on the right side of a back three, Freeman more than held his own.

Freeman won all five of his duels, had a game-high 11 defensive actions, went two-for-two on dribbles and had a 50-for-52 passing afternoon. It was the kind of performance that should earn him more chances in the future.

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Brenden Aaronson misses his chance

In the biggest games against the biggest teams (we admittedly may be giving Chelsea a bit too much credit here), you have to take your chances.

Brenden Aaronson had an opportunity to give Leeds an early lead over Chelsea in Sunday's FA Cup semifinal. The midfielder didn't exactly fluff his lines, but his shot wasn't perfect. And to beat Robert Sánchez, it had to be perfect.

The Chelsea goalkeeper denied Aaronson's breakaway and minutes later, Enzo Fernández scored the game's only goal in a 1-0 win that sent the Blues to the final at Leeds' expense.

After the game, Aaronson admitted that he was ruing what could have been his big moment at Wembley.

Christian Pulisic ties career-worst streak

Christian Pulisic has now matched the worst goalless streak of his career.

The AC Milan forward reached 16 straight games without a goal in Sunday's 0-0 draw with Juventus, as he still searches for his first goal of 2026.

AC Milan boss Max Allegri tried to explain the American's drought by blaming it on the lack of a focal point in Milan's attack, but also said the streak was wearing on the USMNT star.

"Christian is a very sensitive man and this drought is hitting him harder," Allegri told DAZN after the match. "He is also someone who struggles more with the physicality of duels and the lack of a center forward, but I must try to give a balance to this team, as we have an objective to achieve."I realize he is not entirely suited to this, I had asked him to play center right tonight and (Rafael) Leão center left, so we were without a center forward. Rest assured, by the end of the season Pulisic will have given his contribution."

Folarin Balogun's streak finally ends

While Pulisic has struggled to score, Folarin Balogun hasn't been able to stop scoring of late.

But the Monaco striker finally saw his streak end in Saturday's 2-2 draw against fellow USMNT member Mark McKenzie and Toulouse.

Balogun scored in eight straight Ligue 1 matches before drawing a blank on April 25, ending his run one game shy of the French league record.

The result was damaging for Monaco's hopes of European soccer next season, as the principality club dropped to seventh place, one place and two points outside of a Conference League spot with three games left.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Americans Abroad: Alex Freeman and Mathis Albert shine in debuts

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