Sargent’s first goal of the season helps Bremen triumph

Werder Bremen 3-2 Augsburg
Goals: 1-0 Osako (6’), 1-1 Vargas (12’), 2-1 Sargent (21’), 2-2 Vargas (47’), 3-2 Osako (‘67)
Red card: Lichtsteiner (34’)

Bremen flew out the traps and were in front after just six minutes via a scintillating counter attack as Niclas Füllkrug chipped sublimely over the Augsburg defence for Osako to confidently stroke home his second goal of the season. The Augsburg reply was swift, Ruben Vargas also doubling his Bundesliga tally by superbly heading home six minutes later. Bremen were back in front midway through the half, though, courtesy of Sargent’s wonderful finish; the American taking control of Nuri Sahin’s clipped ball before cleverly lifting over the onrushing Tomas Koubek in the same motion and then tapping into an empty net. Things got worse for the visitors with Stephan Lichtsteiner sent off for a second bookable offence as they went into the break both a man and a goal down.

But Augsburg wasted no time in restoring parity, Vargas adding a second just two minutes after the restart to put the icing on an incisive break. It was the first Bundesliga goal Augsburg have scored with 10-men and placed the emphasis back on the hosts to go in search of a third lead. Their pressure told in emphatic fashion, Osako adding his second with a thunderous volley from Marco Friedl’s left-wing cross. Augsburg were almost level late on but Florian Niederlechner was denied a fine leveller by the Bremen woodwork. The hosts stood firm to secure their first points, and win, of the season while Augsburg remain on just one point after three games.

• Sargent's goal was his third in the Bundesliga from just six attempts in total.
• Florian Kohfeldt’s record against Augsburg reads: four games played, four won, 13 goals scored and five conceded.
• Bremen have had a league high 58 shots on goal, seven more than next best Borussia Dortmund.
• This was Sargent's first start of the season and just the second of his career.
• This was the first time Die Fuggerstädter have scored a Bundesliga goal after having a man sent off.
• None of the last 15 league meetings between these sides has ended in a draw. The last time honours were shared between them was back in March 2012.

Watch: Sargent looking forward to USMNT return

Bremen: Pavlenka – Gebre Selassie, Lang, Moisander (c), Friedl – M. Eggestein, Sahin, Klaassen – Osako (Groß, 90+1') – Sargent (Pizarro, 82'), Füllkrug (Harnik, 87')
Unused subs: Kapino, Straudi, Gruev
Out: Augustinsson (knee), Bargfrede (knee), Bartels (knee), J. Eggestein (suspended), Langkamp (calf), Rashica (groin), Toprak (calf), Veljkovic (broken toe)
Coach: Florian Kohfeldt

Augsburg: Koubek – Lichtsteiner, Jedvaj, Uduokhai, Max (Pedersen, 85') – Khedira, Baier (c) – Richter, Gregoritsch (Suchy, 46'), Vargas (Finnbogason, 73') – Niederlechner
Unused subs: Luthe, Schieber, Gruezo, Hahn, Teigl, Oxford
Out: Giefer (shoulder), Götze (hip), Gouweleeuw (groin), Iago (knee)
Coach: Martin Schmidt