ICYMI: Cucho, Cardozo give Real Betis derby win a USMNT and MLS flavor | OneFootball

In case you missed it Sunday, the latest chapter of the Seville Derby had a very American and MLS flavor to it.

First, U.S. men's national team World Cup hopeful Johnny Cardozo leveled the match midway through the first half, hitting a volley just about as perfect as one can be hit back across goal after reaching the end of Youssouf Sabaly's scooped cross from the right.

Then moments before halftime, it was Cucho timing his run perfectly to finish off a sweeping attacking sequence with one touch in a moment that would prove the deciding one in a 2-1 victory in the 143th playing of El Gran Derbi at Betis' Estadio Villamarin.

The victory continued a phenomenal second half of the season for Betis, which moved into a tie for sixth place in the La Liga race with the victory, behind fifth-place Villareal on goal difference but with one additional match played.

Manuel Pellegrini's charges have won six in a row in the league ahead of a looming trip to FC Barcelona next Saturday, and are also through to the UEFA Europa Conference League quarterfinals later this month.

Cardozo's stock rising

The 23-year-old Cardoso has scored only twice in the league for Betis from his position as a defensive midfielder. He has been a regular starter for Los Verdiblancos for most of his time in La Liga following a move from Brazil's Internacional, and the New Jersey-born Brazilian American has been linked with a potential summer move to Tottenham Hotspur for some time.

He has emerged as a regular in USMNT camps over the past year, but hasn't participated in a USMNT match since Leg 1 of the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals last November. He was included in this March's initial Nations League roster, but ultimately missed the camp due to a muscle strain.

Meanwhile, Cucho's goal was his second in La Liga for his new club since leaving the Columbus Crew for a club record outgoing fee, reportedly costing in the range of $16 million. Both of his tallies have been game-winners, with his first coming just before the international window to complete a rally from two goals down in a 3-2 win at Leganes.