Crystal Palace put one foot into the UEFA Conference League semifinals after a convincing first leg win in South London.
Chris Richards started and played 90 minutes as Oliver Glasner’s men defeated visiting Fiorentina 3-0 at Selhurst Park. Richards won one duel, made one defensive block, and three defensive recoveries as the Eagles pitched a shutout in front of their home supporters.
Jean-Philippe Mateta’s penalty kick finish paired with Tyrick Michell’s second goal of the season gave the hosts a 2-0 halftime lead. Ismaila Sarr added an insurance goal before the final whistle, giving the reigning FA Cup winners a comfortable aggregate advantage heading into next week’s second leg in Florence.
Richards, who made his 40th appearance of the season on Thursday, will likely retain his starting spot this weekend when Crystal Palace resumes Premier League play at home against Newcastle United.
Elsewhere, Alex Zendejas went the distance in Club America’s goal-less first leg draw with Nashville SC. Rokas Pukstas assisted once in Hajduk Split’s comfortable league win. Lennard Maloney made a late cameo in Mainz’s first leg victory over Strasbourg.
Here is a closer look at this week’s Americans Abroad:
Europe
UEFA Champions League
Johnny Cardoso is OUT (Injury) for Atletico Madrid.
UEFA Conference League
Chris Richards started and played 90 minutes in Crystal Palace’s 3-0 first leg win over Fiorentina on Thursday.
Lennard Maloney came off the bench and played one minute in Mainz’s 2-0 first leg win over Strasbourg on Thursday.
Germany
3. Liga
Terrence Boyd started and played 58 minutes in Waldhof Mannheim’s 1-1 draw with Hoffenheim II on Tuesday.
Mason Toye did not dress in Ingolstadt’s 2-1 loss to Viktoria Koln on Wednesday.
Denmark
Superliagen
Gavin Beavers dressed but did not play in Brondby’s 2-1 loss to Nordsjaelland on Tuesday.
Croatia
HNL
Rokas Pukstas started, registered ONE ASSIST, and played 76 minutes in Hajduk Split’s 3-1 win over NK Istra 1961 on Tuesday.
North America
CONCACAF Champions Cup
Alex Zendejas started and played 90 minutes in Club America’s 0-0 first leg draw with Nashville SC on Tuesday.