U.S. Men’s National Team forward Rubio Rubin returned to consistent action this month, as he battles back from foot surgery in November that sidelined him for most of the 2015-2016 season. 

Rubin played 90 minutes on Monday in FC Utrecht U23’s 1-1 draw against Volendam. Rubin contributed to the build-up on the lone goal for Utrecht. The point was enough for Utrecht U23 to claim the league crown and earn a spot in the Jupiler League (the second division in the Netherlands) for the next season. 

Rubin returned to the first team lineup on April 20 when he came off the bench in a 0-2 loss to De Graafschap, but that was his only appearance for the last two months in the first squad. The full game showing with the youth team is a positive step for the 20-year-old forward who is looking to work his way back to a starting spot with FC Utrecht for the 2016-2017 season. 

Rubin’s last appearance with the U.S. Men’s National Team came in 2015 with the U20 World Cup.

Novakovich renews 

Reading FC announced on Monday that U.S. forward Andrija Novakovich had his contract extended earlier this season, which means that he will be playing at Reading for another season. Novakovich made 15 appearances with the Reading U21 team during the 2015-2016 season. The 19-year-old forward scored two goals and had two assists this season. 

Fulham Duo Drops Finale 

U.S. Youth National Team players Marlon Fossey and Luca De La Torre both played the full game for Fulham U18 on Saturday in a 0-5 loss to Manchester City. It was the final game of the season for the Fulham U18 squad. 

Fossey and De La Torre recently appeared with the U.S. U19 Men’s National Team at the Slovakia Cup in April. Both played the full 90 minutes in the championship game against Russia, which the U.S. won 2-1. 

Perez Shines in Purple 

Joshua Perez contributed to two of the goals that Fiorentina Primavera scored in a playoff against Pro Vercelli last week. Fiorentina won the game 3-1 and moved onto the quarterfinal round. Perez’s contributions came on the first and third goal, as he beat his man to the end line and then whipped in a cross that eventually was tucked away. 

Fiorentina returns to action on May 14 in the quarterfinal round of the playoffs. 

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