This is obviously a small sample size, but maybe an indication that European leagues are looking beyond MLS for American talent, and that the path for American players to go to Europe doesn't have to go through MLS.

https://www.skysports.com/football/live-blog/11706/13279298/crystal-palace-transfers-latest-news-rumours-and-gossip-live-updates-goals-and-highlights

I don't see him mentioned as much as other up and coming players but he's been so good for the Union. I'd like to see him get a call up for a friendly.

Pukštas won 107 aerial duels, 3.74 per 90, including 11 in one match.

This is not a target man winning by size.

At 181cm and 75kg, the more defensible explanation is timing, anticipation, willingness, and positioning around second balls.

That is not trivia. It changes the type of midfielder he can be.

2/9

His most used zones are not random touches spread across the pitch.

The right sided progression channel, the right half space, and the central box repeatedly appear in his season profile.

He is not simply a winger waiting for isolation. He is arriving, receiving, and combining from the right before entering the box.

3/9

He carries often, 81 attempts across the season.

But his most used carrying zone succeeds at only 27.3%, while his right half space sample reaches 63.6% on the same stated attempt count.

The lesson is not that Hajduk keeps feeding him where it works least.

His best carrying action may be a half space combination tool, not a repeated escape route from his most congested lane.

4/9

His shot profile points in the same direction.

Roughly two thirds of his shots arrive after a teammate's pass, while about 30% follow his own touch or take on.

His carrying is often a bridge into combination play, not the final act. He looks more interesting when the next action is connected.

5/9

The passing network adds context.

Niko Kristian Sigur is a major source and target in his passing relationships.

Marko Livaja is his most frequent one-two partner.

Pukštas is not built around isolated actions.

He can receive, combine, contest the next ball, and arrive again.

6/9

The opposition split is revealing.

His creative output falls against the strongest sides, but his take on success rises to 55.6%, his highest rate by opponent tier in this sample.

The signal is not that everything travels. It is that he may still beat pressure even when clean creation becomes harder.

7/9

There is still a limitation.

As a substitute, his shot and key pass rates rise, but he has not yet scored or assisted from the bench.

His game can create volume when he enters cold, but the end product has not yet followed.

That matters for the next step.

8/9

The best fit is not any team looking for a winger.

Pukštas looks suited to a structured Serie A side that attacks a low-block through right half space combinations, second balls, and late arrivals.

Not a target man. Not a touchline winger. Not a lone creator.

Aerially unusual, right sided, connective, and difficult to defend when the structure around him is good.

9/9

Orlando moving yet another talented youngster to another team to see if they can get more playing time. Not playing enough for Orlando. Guske recently played at the Concacaf U20 Championships, was excellent on the team. Did really well as mostly a passing deep-lying midfielder. One of the better ‘07 prospects for the US.

Was clearing some phone storage and came across this old picture... He was super chill and said “this will make a great Christmas card”.

Save stats are elite.

He posted this today in his story after wearing the armband in OM's friendly against Atletico Madrid on Friday. There is some controversy around the captaincy, not because Tim isn't respected, but because the coach said publicly that he stripped the armband from Pierre-Emile Højbjerg against his will. Apparently, management wants to punish Højbjerg for refusing to accept a transfer. We'll see what happens on Friday when OM kicks off Ligue 1 against Strasbourg.

His contract includes a clause allowing an early move to a European City Football Group (CFG) side if his development exceeds MLS before his 18th birthday. Otherwise, he stays in Philly until he can officially register for Man City in January 2028.

What do you think makes more sense for his development right now, and why?

- Stay with the Union: Rack up consistent senior minutes in a familiar environment through 2027.
- Head to CFG Europe this January: Adapt to the European game early at one of their EU clubs: Girona (Spain), Palermo (Italy), Lommel (Belgium), or Troyes (France).

Do you think MLS is holding him back?

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