With MLS still in preseason, European action takes the forefront as we track players aiming to represent the USA at the 2026 World Cup.

Here are the five games to watch this weekend:

Derby vs. Ipswich (Championship League 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿)
• Patrick Agyemang
Saturday, Feb. 7, 7:30 am ET 📺 CBS Sports Network, Paramount+

When Patrick Agyemang was transferred from Charlotte FC to Derby County, many supporters of the East Midlands club were skeptical. Agyemang was expensive and Derby reportedly paid $8 million for him. At the time he was injured and required a double-hernia surgery. Once he was able to play, Derby County was in 17th place and Agyemang was far from being a young player at nearly 25 years old.

Flash forward to early February, we are not even four months since his debut and Agyemang has won over the hearts of Derby County supporters. He now looks like a remarkable bargain. He has nine goals and three assists on the season, with goals in three out of his last four games.

But most importantly, Agyemang’s success has lifted Derby upward in the standings. The club has climbed to 7th place with Agyemang on the field. On Saturday, Derby County can move into the promotional playoff positions with a win against third-place Ipswich Town if Wrexham ties or loses.

As for his World Cup hopes, Agyemang’s performance for Derby County has come at the right time. Josh Sargent’s national team chances have collapsed with his deteriorated relationship with Norwich City and Agyemang has easily outplayed Haji Wright over the last three months. That leaves Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi as the main competition for Agyemang. With Pepi injured, Agyemang has an opening. If he continues to deliver for Derby County in a promotion race, he might just make the World Cup team. U.S. assistant coach Miguel D’Agostino will be in attendance to watch Agyemang.

Frosinone vs. Venezia (Serie B 🇮🇹)
• Gianluca Busio
Saturday, Feb. 7, 9:00 am ET 📺 Fox One, Fox Soccer Plus

On Saturday, the biggest game of the season in Italy’s Serie B will take place with first place Venezia traveling south to visit 2nd-place Frosinone with only one point separating the two sides. A win from Venezia would give it a four-point cushion well into the second half of the season.

Gianluca Busio. (Imago via ZUMA Press/ISI Photos)

Gianluca Busio, 23, has been in this situation before. He has been promoted (and relegated) with the Venetian club. But this year is very different for Busio. He is now unquestionably been the leader of the club in this campaign. In the past, Busio was another member of Venezia’s supporting cast, now he is the star of the show.