Americans Abroad Player of the Week: Taylor Booth

It had been a difficult season to date for FC Utrecht attacker Taylor Booth, but Sunday’s Man of the Match performance could be exactly what he needs to sparks a second-half surge in Holland.

Booth registered his first-career hat trick in FC Utrecht’s 4-2 Eredivisie triumph over FC Volendam. The U.S. men’s national team attacker earned SBI Americans Abroad Player of the Week honors after excelling in a crucial victory for his team.

The 22-year-old Booth scored in the 38th, 57th, and 84th minutes respectively as FC Utrecht overcame an early deficit at home. Booth’s brother Zach opened the scoring for FC Volendam after nine minutes, but FC Utrecht came roaring back through Taylor’s impactful performance.

Booth now has four goals scored in 13 combined appearances for FC Utrecht and will be hoping his weekend outing is what kickstarts more production during the winter schedule.

Booth became the fourth American player all-time to register an Eredivisie hat trick, joining Earnie Stewart, Michael Bradley, and Jozy Altidore on that list.

Here is a look at some of the other top Americans Abroad performers from this past week:

Josh Sargent

The goals continue to come for Josh Sargent.

Sargent celebrated his sixth goal of the EFL Championship season on Saturday as Norwich City rallied back to defeat Coventry City. The USMNT forward now has three goals in his last six appearances, which is a positive sign for Gregg Berhalter heading near the March international window.

Luca De La Torre

Luca De La Torre has started to find his groove in 2024.

The 25-year-old midfielder scored once and assisted once in Celta Vigo’s 3-0 La Liga win over Osasuna on Sunday. De La Torre formed a strong partnership with Jorgen Strand Larsen in the win, setting up the Norwegian forward for the opening goal of the match.

Larsen connected with De La Torre on the ensuing kickoff to double Celta Vigo’s lead in the eventual victory. The result snapped Celta Vigo’s three-match losing streak in all competitions.

Dante Polvara

It’s not often you see Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic get held to one point, but Dante Polvara and Aberdeen did just that on Saturday.

Polvara’s assist helped Aberdeen earn a 1-1 draw with Celtic at Pittodrie. The 23-year-old won six duels, created one offensive opportunity, and made 10 recoveries in the match.

Polvara now has two goals and three assists for Aberdeen across all competitions this season.

Terrence Boyd

Veteran forward Terrence Boyd made it back-to-back weeks with at least one goal under his belt.

Boyd followed up his Man of the Match performance last weekend by scoring once in Waldhof Mannheim’s 2-2 league draw with Preussen Munster on Sunday. After making the move from Hallescher FC, Boyd has jumped right into the Waldhof starting lineup.

Sunday’s latest productive showing will certainly boost his chances of remaining in the XI again next week.

What did you think of these individual performances this past week? Was there anyone left off the list that you would’ve added?

Share your thoughts below.