GOAL looks at the biggest storylines among Americans Abroad, including Pulisic finding form and USMNT players staying fit
What to make of Christian Pulisic? First world-class, then flop, then somewhere in between, then discarded by a manager who made all of the wrong signings and didn't play to his strengths. Somehow, amid all of that, he scored twice to save AC Milan last week.
The question is now one of consistency. Can Pulisic do it again, or is it going to be a tale of the odd match winning spell with a fair bit of mediocrity mixed in?
It does feel like an important weekend, though. Mauricio Pochettino has named his latest USMNT squad for next week's CONCACAF Nations League semifinal against Panama. Everything went mostly as predicted, with Brenden Aaronson the only glaring omission – but with Gio Reyna back and fit, he was always going to be fighting for minutes.
So, it's really a question of staying fit. From a USMNT perspective, it's vital that top players – Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Reyna, among others – do their thing with their clubs, and get to camp with fresh legs.
That is always tricky, of course, when there are seasons on the line. Milan and Juventus both have to go full pelt with European hopes up in the air. Reyna is seemingly made of glass. And a few others, including Fulham's Antonee Robinson, have plenty to play for in their leagues.
GOAL looks ahead at some of the biggest storylines to follow among Americans Abroad this weekend.
Getty Images SportChristian Pulisic to build on Lecce heroics
And just like that, Pulisic returned to form. All of the pieces were in place, admittedly, for a star showing. Joao Felix was on the bench, Rafael Leao out also absent from the XI. For 45 minutes, he flopped. Milan went down 2-0. Listen closely, and you might have been able to hear the voices calling for Sergio Conceicao's sacking.
Pulisic turned things around, though. A flukey own goal made it 2-1, and then it was his time. He won a penalty in the 72nd minute, and converted it in the 73rd. In the 81st, he got on the end of Leao's cross to complete a remarkable comeback win over Lecce.
Then all of the voices went quiet. Pulisic can now play savior again – at least, that's what his brace seemed to suggest. The reality may be different. Pulisic, historically, has run hot and cold for his club. It's just sort of what he does – and why, perhaps, the world hailed his strong run of form so much.
Como, Saturday's opponents, are everyone's favorite hipster team at the moment. They are managed by Cesc Fabregas, have cool kits, and will soon work Dele Alli – one of English football's great "what-ifs" – back into their XI.
But Milan really beat them. At this point, it's win and hope the teams above them don't. Another good Pulisic game would be welcome.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesWeston McKennie to make things happen
If there ever was a game that showed just exactly far Juventus are from the top of Italian football, last weekend provided it. The 4-0 loss to Atalanta wasn't a loss as much as a pasting. Ironically, Juve had 64 percent of the ball. But they were entirely toothless when they had it. Atalanta, meanwhile, were razor sharp, clinical, and, well, better.
U.S. international Tim Weah hardly covered himself in glory throughout. Ademola Lookman ritually tortured the USMNT star, who looks less and less like a right back every time he plays a top winger. Perhaps the only player to truly show up for Juve was Weston McKennie (unfortunate handball notwithstanding.)
In a languid game, he seemed the only player who wanted to progress the ball, get forward, and make something happen. Such has been the story of McKennie this year. He is not carrying Juve, but he is providing energy, a sort of attacking thrust. It is perhaps part of the reason why Thiago Motta has handed him the captain's armband on occasion.
His intent will be needed against Fiorentina on Sunday. They were right in the Champions League mix just a few weeks ago, but have lost four of their last five – and rather fallen out of the picture. But the talent is there, and they will not be easy to beat at all on home turf. This reeks of a 0-0 draw, but a solid showing from McKennie could prove inspirational.
Getty Images SportGio Reyna to get his chance?
Gio Reyna is back in the USMNT squad. What are we supposed to make of this? Sure, it's a good thing for Reyna, who on talent alone deserves to be in the picture. It's also puzzling in a sense, to hand a player who has been on the pitch for just 328 minutes in the German top flight what might be a pivotal role.
This all points to a need to play football – something USMNT boss Mauricio Pochettino has repeatedly reiterated publicly. It's puzzling, then, to see Reyna in the mix. But it might also suggest that he believes that more minutes are on the way.
It was a rare good week for Dortmund, who turned things around against Lille to advance to the Champions League quarterfinal. Is a start pending for Reyna against an in form RB Leipzig? Probably not – he arguably hasn't done enough to be trusted in such a game.
But impress for a few minutes and he could have some confidence ahead of the Nations League fixtures.
AFPAround the continent
+ Antonee Robinson should be in the picture as Fulham host Tottenham in a mid-table clash.
+ Brenden Aaronson has come under criticism of late, but is still a regular starter for Leeds. He will likely be in the mix once again when the Championship leaders face QPR.
+ Sergino Dest made his long-anticipated return from an ACL injury last week, and might get another shot as PSV travel to RKC Waalwijk.
