Scotland at Albania
UEFA Nations League C | Group 1
Saturday, Nov. 17 | 1:45 p.m. CT | ESPN+
Loro Borici Stadium | Shkoder, Albania
After helping his side reach the Western Conference Championship of the Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs, Sporting Kansas City forward Johnny Russell has rejoined the Scotland Men’s National Team for two decisive matches in the inaugural UEFA Nations League.
Russell, who has started in each of Scotland's first two UEFA Nations League matches, has trekked across the Atlantic for Saturday's pivotal showdown in Albania and next Tuesday's group stage finale against first-place Israel. Both contests will kick off at 1:45 p.m. CT and stream live on ESPN+.
Scotland currently occupies second place in Group 1 of UEFA Nations League C, three points behind Israel with a game in hand, but can win the group with a pair of wins over the next week. The first-place finisher will secure promotion to League B for the 2020-21 UEFA Nations League, while the third-place finisher faces possible relegation do League D.
2018-19 UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE C: GROUP 1
<strong>#</strong> |
<strong>TEAM</strong> |
<strong>PTS</strong> |
<strong>W</strong> |
<strong>L</strong> |
<strong>T</strong> |
<strong>GF</strong> |
<strong>GA</strong> |
<strong>GD</strong> |
1 |
Israel |
6 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
2 |
+2 |
2 |
Scotland |
3 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
+1 |
3 |
Albania |
3 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
-3 |
Russell is one of four forwards on Scotland’s 21-man squad assembled by head coach Alex McLeish, joining English Championship trio Oliver McBurnie, Steven Fletcher and Matt Phillips. The Sporting KC winger has made a positive impression under McLeish, earning four of his eight career caps since joining MLS at the start of 2018. Prior to linking up with Sporting KC, Russell had not represented Scotland since 2015.
Captained by Liverpool left back Andy Robertson, Scotland sit at No. 40 in the latest FIFA Rankings. They face a 60th-ranked Albania side that made its major international tournament debut at UEFA Euro 2016 in France. The teams most recently met in Scotland's UEFA Nations League opener on Sept. 10, when Russell logged 70 minutes in a 2-0 home win at Hampden Park.
With Scotland slated to host Israel in Tuesday's group stage curtain closer, Russell will be available for the first leg of Sporting KC's conference championship series against the Portland Timbers next Sunday, Nov. 25, at Providence Park.
Russell has enjoyed a brilliant first season with Sporting KC, amassing 12 goals and 13 assists in all competitions. He has become the fourth player in club history to record double-digit goals and assists in a single MLS season and was named the club's Offensive Player of the Year last month.
