USMNT builds momentum thanks to newfound French connection

Tim Weah, Marseille FC

When Weah showed up to Marseille's training ground after joining the club on loan this summer, it was more of a return than an arrival. Weah passed through the city early in his childhood when his father, legendary Liberian striker George Weah, signed for Marseille during its 2000-2001 season. Tim's return to the seaside city was a full circle moment for the Weah men—so much so that Tim announced his return by recreating one of his father's magazine covers to honor his family's Marseille legacy.

"When I got the call from Marseille, my dad was the first one [I called]," Weah said, via CBS Sports Golazo. "He said he loved it there, he said it's something special playing for this club."

Marseille has looked good on Weah: he's had a brilliant season in 2024-25, pushing the team to a Ligue 1 title challenge and becoming the first American to score against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in the Champions League. Coach Roberto de Zerbi has pushed Weah into a more attacking role than he's played previously, and the USMNT has taken notice. Instead of using him as a traditional full back like it did earlier this year, the USMNT played Weah as a free-roaming, attack-driven wingback in it game against Ecuador. It worked, as Weah had one of his most productive nights in American colors in years.

Tanner Tessmann, Olympique Lyonnais

Tessmann started his career in the States, but he's found his footing in France with Lyon. His time there has been anything but straightforward, though: the club, once one of Europe's best, fell into financial disrepair and faced forced relegation before the season began. Tessmann and his teammates have had to work against the backdrop of that existential threat, and they've done just fine: Lyon, against all odds, is tied for second in Ligue 1, level on points with Marseille and just one point behind league leader (and defending European champion) PSG. 

"We had a big situation this summer," Tessmann said, via U.S. Soccer. "Luckily the club did a good job of fighting back to keep us in Ligue 1.

"We have a really hungry team that wants to show what it's like to play for a big club and to play in big competitions. We want to bring Lyon back to the Champions League. That's the goal."

Tessmann is a unique midfielder. At 6'2", he's bigger and stronger than most of his peers in the center of the park. When the USMNT makes the tactical choice to play with fewer midfielders, it's Tessmann and his grittiness that make the system work. He helps the team out-think and out-fight the opposition in the middle third.

The USMNT will return to action on Tuesday, Oct. 14 against Australia in Commerce City, C.O.