Socceroos Abroad: McGree eyes Premier League promotion, Ryan fuels Levante survival

Riley McGree’s Middlesbrough are one win from the Premier League, while Maty Ryan enters LaLiga’s final day in red-hot form as Levante look to complete their great escape.

new_kit_2000x280.jpg

Read on to find out what happened during the week and what is to come for our Socceroos Abroad.

CommBank Socceroos

Starting in the US Open Cup quarter-finals, where Lucas Herrington (cap #658) played another full game for Colorado Rapids and kept a clean sheet in a 2-0 win over San Jose Earthquakes on Thursday.

The defender impressed across the 90 minutes, finishing with 92% passing accuracy, five clearances and two interceptions in a composed display.

They return to MLS action on Sunday at 11:30am (AEST) against FC Dallas.

Elsewhere in the MLS, Kye Rowles' (cap #622) DC United on Sunday at 9:30am (AEST) against CF Montréal.

Also in the US Open Cup quarter-finals, Kai Trewin (cap #656) played 86 minutes for New York City FC in a 1-0 loss to Columbus Crew on Thursday.

They return to MLS action on Sunday at 10:30am (AEST) against Nashville SC.

In the English Championship play-offs, Riley McGree (cap #609) and Sam Silvera (cap #634) should be involved for Middlesbrough after Boro were reinstated into the final against Hull City at Wembley on Sunday at 12:30am (AEST).

Southampton were excluded from the play-off final after admitting breaches relating to the unauthorised filming of opposition training sessions, including Middlesbrough’s preparations before their semi-final tie.

The decision gives McGree the chance to help Boro win promotion to the Premier League in what is widely regarded as football’s richest one-off match, with the winner set to become the third club promoted from the Championship.

In Spain’s La Liga, Maty Ryan (cap #555) will be in goal for Levante when they travel to Real Betis Balompié on Sunday at 5am (AEST).

Ryan heads into the final matchday in outstanding form after helping Levante climb out of the relegation zone with a crucial 2-0 win over Mallorca. The Socceroos goalkeeper made several important saves to keep his fourth clean sheet in six matches, with Levante’s third straight victory lifting them to 15th on the table after spending much of the year in the bottom three.

The 34-year-old has been central to their late-season revival, recording 10 clean sheets for the campaign and making 116 saves, the third-most of any goalkeeper in La Liga this season.

In Spain's second tier, Awer Mabil (cap #597) could feature for Castellón when they travel to SD Huesca on Monday at 2:30am (AEDT). 

In Serie A, Alessandro Circati (cap #637) should also start for Parma when they finish their season against U.S. Sassuolo Calcio on Sunday at 11pm (AEST) at home.

In Poland, Deni Juric (cap #659) could start as Wisla Plock end their season against Lech Poznań on Sunday at 1:30am (AEST).

Fran Karacic (cap #607) might feature for Osijek as they take on NK Slaven Belupo in the Croatian HNL on Saturday at 12am (AEST) as their season also wraps up.

Looking to the Czech Republic, Garang Kuol (cap #627) could get on the pitch for Sparta Prague as host FC Hradec Králové on Sunday at 10pm (AEST) in their final match.

In Bosnia-Herzegovina, Tomi Juric (cap #561) could be involved when Zrinjski Mostar travel to FK Rudar Prijedor on Monday at 1am (AEST).

Moving to Japan, Thomas Deng (cap #598) might feature for Yokohama F.Marinos on Sunday at 3pm (AEST) against Tokyo Verdy in J-League 1.

In the Indian Super League, Jamie Maclaren (cap #584) and Jason Cummings (cap #626) both played a full game for Mohun Bagan in a 2-1 win over SC Delhi on Thursday. Maclaren scored a last minute winner while Dimitri Petratos (cap #593) also started and played 69 minutes.

new_kit_2000x280.jpg