It was a whirlwind of a match for DeAndre Yedlin on Friday as the Galatasaray defender scored in the first half and got a red card in the second. That’s quite the accomplishment for the former Seattle Sounders defender and two-time MLS All-Star, who remains an option at right back for the United States national team.
Yedlin’s goal came at a big time for his club, who went down early to Rizespor at home.
In the 14th minute, an inswinger of a free kick came in from the right side and was cleared out by Rizespor. The ball bounced once in the penalty area on the headed clearance and Yedlin, unmarked at the penalty spot, one-timed a ball that found its way through a crowded six-yard box for a goal.
More from MLS Multiplex
- Javier Milei Elected in Argentina: Potential Impacts on MLS and Signings of Argentine Players
- Orlando City and New York City FC in the Battle for Matías Arezo; Grêmio Enters Negotiations! Who Will Come Out on Top?
- USA, Honduras, Panama, and Canada Close in on a Spot in the 2024 Copa America
- De Gea Turns Down Al-Nassr’s Lucrative Offer: Speculation Points to Possible Reunion with Messi at Inter Miami
- Messi’s Magnetic Impact in the United States
The goal leveled the game for Galatasaray, one of the biggest clubs in Turkey.
Watch Yedlin’s well-taken goal here.
Then in the 79th minute, Yedlin received a questionable yellow card for a shoulder-to-shoulder challenge that happened in the penalty area. It was his second yellow of the match and forced his club to play down a man of what would become a 4-3 loss to Rizespor.
It has overall been a good move for Yedlin to Turkey and for a club with the aspirations of Galatasaray. Coming over in February in a move from Newcastle, this was his fifth start and he had a reasonably good performance up until what was a questionable ejection.
Yedlin, still just 27-years old, has had some rocky moments during his time in Europe. He moved to Tottenham in 2013 following two seasons in Seattle. He was a surprise selection for the United States national team in the 2014 World Cup.
He currently has 62 appearances with the United States and made five appearances in 2019. He was not called in by head coach Gregg Berhalter for the March friendlies against Jamaica and Northern Ireland.
Galatasaray currently sit in second in the Turkish Super Lig on 61 points. They are two points behind league leader Besiktas and hold three points on Fenerbahce, who have two games in hand on Galatasaray.
Follow Kristian Dyer of ‘MLS Multiplex‘ on Twitter @KristianRDyer