Thursday was a milestone day for Adam Buksa, Tajon Buchanan, and Matt Turner, who all made their World Cup Qualifying debuts on the path to FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
Buksa made the biggest splash on his senior international debut, starting alongside Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski and scoring the game-winning goal in Poland's 4-1 win over Albania. With the match level at 1-1 in the 44th minute, Buksa broke the deadlock with a perfectly-placed header that caromed off the inside of the post before settling into the back of the net.
It was a dream debut for Buksa, who was taken off after 81 minutes as Poland prepare for two more qualifiers in the coming days. Thursday's win lifted them into second place in Group I of UEFA World Cup Qualifying, giving them a boost ahead of meetings with San Marino (Sept. 5, 2:45 p.m. ET, ESPN+) and first-place England (Sept. 8, 2:45 p.m. ET, ESPN+).
Buchanan was in the starting XI for Canada as they began Concacaf World Cup Qualifying with a 1-1 draw against Honduras at BMO Field in Toronto. The 22-year-old started on the right wing but soon changed to the left side, swapping spots with another Bayern Munich standout, Alphonso Davies. Buchanan's night was unfortunately cut short as he played just 45 minutes, replaced at halftime.
Turner closed out Thursday's action with yet another clean sheet - his seventh in eight appearances with the U.S. Men's National Team - as the U.S. began the Octagonal with a 0-0 draw in El Salvador. The MLS All-Star MVP needed to make just one save in the shutout effort, a diving stop to his left in the 57th minute.
It was the first draw of Turner's international career, moving him to 7-0-1 with the USMNT. The 27-year-old has still conceded just a single goal, from the penalty spot, and boasts a goals against average of 0.12.
Buchanan and Turner will go head-to-head when Canada visits the U.S. on Sunday evening. Kickoff from Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., is set for 8 p.m. ET, with coverage on FS1, UniMas, and TUDN. The U.S. will then close out this round of qualifiers at Honduras (Sept. 8, 10:05 p.m. ET, Paramount+), while Canada will host El Salvador (Sept. 8, 7:30 p.m. ET, Paramount+).
The New England Revolution, meanwhile, will be in action Friday night when they visit the Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET with coverage on TV38, myRITV, 98.5 The Sports Hub, and WBIX 1260 AM Nossa Radio.
