Category: Americans Abroad

Milan TV pundit says Pulisic has been lacking in big games

Has the USMNT star gone missing in the biggest games? The record is mixed

Christian Pulisic has been accused of lacking in big matches during his debut campaign at AC Milan.

The U.S. national team star has enjoyed a standout season with the Rossoneri, setting a career high in goals with 13 while becoming an every-week starter under Stefano Pioli.

But according to pundit Luca Serafini of the club’s in-house television channel Milan TV, the 25-year-old could see his place eventually come under threat from Samuel Chukwueze.

Part of that, according to Serafini, is down to Pulisic’s lack of signature performances in big games.

“Chukwueze is in splendid condition at the moment, he is always decisive,” Sefafini said.

“It’s true that Pulisic has been lacking a bit in the big matches. From the point of view of his participation, and [Ruben] Loftus-Cheek, I would expect more in some moments. Pioli relies on his faithful at the moment. Chukwueze is a player of the future, when we said that certain players must be waited on it is true. He is proving to be worth the search last year and the money that Milan spent.”

Pulisic’s record in big games

With the USMNT, Pulisic has consistently delivered in big moments in recent years. His goal against Iran in the 2022 World Cup sent the USMNT to the knockout stage, and he scored a brace against Mexico in the 2023 Nations League semifinal.

Pulisic’s record with Milan in the biggest matches has been mixed. The Pennsylvania native went scoreless in six total league games against Inter, Juventus and Roma, as well as both legs of a Europa League quarterfinal exit against Roma.

The winger has scored against fourth-place Bologna in the league, as well as seventh-place Lazio. He also found the net in a decisive Champions League win over Newcastle to close out the group stage. Milan fell short of the knockout stage despite the victory, but did qualify for the Europa League.

[lawrence-related id=65772,64576,63668]

Pioli explains why Pulisic continues to keep Chukwueze out of Milan lineup

The USMNT star is still undroppable for the AC Milan coach

Samuel Chukwueze has been in improved form for AC Milan in recent weeks, but he still has a major roadblock to increased playing time: Christian Pulisic.

The American forward started Saturday’s game against Juventus, and wasn’t replaced by Chukwueze until the 83rd minute despite a subdued performance in a 0-0 draw.

Pulisic has been an ever-present in Pioli’s side this season, and has rewarded his manager with a career season that has seen him score 13 goals in all competitions.

Chukwueze, who like Pulisic was a summer signing prior to this season, has started his Milan career much more slowly, totaling just three goals and two assists since his move from Villarreal.

Though he’s been improved lately, the Nigeria international continues to see limited minutes.

Pioli explained his thought process in his post-match interview with DAZN on Saturday.

“I liked Pulisic instead,” the coach said. “Chukwueze is also doing well but at the moment, I won’t give up an extra midfielder to play with four attacking players and therefore, [Chukwueze] is the one who was sacrificed.”

Pioli has started Chukwueze and Pulisic together before, which has worked to good effect as the USMNT star has moved inside to play as a No. 10. Playing the right wing spot that Pulisic normally occupies, Chukwueze assisted a goal for Pulisic against Lecce earlier this month.

Against a stronger opponent on Saturday, though, Pioli wasn’t ready to play such an attacking lineup.

[lawrence-related id=64576,63668,61595]

Pulisic may yet be dropped by new AC Milan coach, Lalas says

All bets could be off if a new coach doesn’t rate Pulisic, the ex-USMNT defender says

Christian Pulisic’s outstanding season at AC Milan may not count for much if a new head coach doesn’t rate him, according to Alexi Lalas.

Pulisic has set a career high in goals with 13 during his first season with AC Milan following a transfer from Chelsea last summer.

But the coach who brought him to Milan and offered a regular starting role, Stefano Pioli, appears to be heading for the exit at the end of the season, per multiple reports.

Pulisic has credited Pioli on multiple occasions with offering him the platform he needed to reignite his career. But it appears the U.S. national team star will now have to prove himself all over again leading into the 2024-25 campaign.

Speaking on his State of the Union Podcast, Lalas said that coaching changes won’t be anything new for Pulisic, but losing Pioli certainly won’t be a positive development for the 25-year-old.

“He’s been around long enough, he’s a grizzled veteran, even at a relatively young age in his career, and he’s seen how quickly things can change,” the former USMNT defender said.

“I got a question on X this morning about, ‘Has he done enough?’ Yeah, he’s done more than enough to prove his worth, to prove his value to Milan. Matter of fact, I think you could argue he’s been their best player.

“It doesn’t matter because when there is a changing of the guard, there’s often a change of mentality and you have people that come in with their preconceived notions and their baggage and their direction that they want to go.

“Who knows? Christian Pulisic might be in a place that thousands of players have been, where they are just not part of the plans going forward. The good part for Christian Pulisic is I think there will be a lot of suitors out there.”

Pulisic and Milan will face Juventus in Serie A on Saturday in a game that could feature four USMNT players, with Yunus Musah lining up for Milan and Weston McKennie and Tim Weah featuring for the Bianconeri.

Watch Lalas on Pulisic’s AC Milan situation

PSV show support for Dest after USMNT defender’s knee injury

PSV showed more support for Dest before proceeding to demolish Heerenveen

Sergiño Dest has to be feeling the love at PSV these days.

PSV’s players came out for Thursday’s match with Heerenveen in shirts reading “Sterkte Sergiño” on the front, and with Dest’s number 8 on the back. “Sterkte” is a Dutch expression meaning “strength” or “courage.”

The U.S. men’s national team defender will be out for an extended period after suffering a knee injury in training last week.

While Dest’s absence has created a new worry for the USMNT, PSV has been very supportive. After the injury, manager Peter Bosz made clear that he’d like to see the club make Dest’s loan from Barcelona a permanent transfer. Dest’s loan contract with PSV is said to include a €10 million purchase option.

Meanwhile, PSV followed up its latest message of encouragement for Dest by completely obliterating Heerenveen.

Dest’s USMNT teammate Malik Tillman had two goals and an assist in the game’s first 11 minutes as PSV robbed the match of any mystery. Despite being the away team, the Eredivisie leaders would pour it on, winning 8-0.

The result primed Eindhoven for a big party, as PSV could finish the night by clinching the club’s 25th Eredivisie crown. The victory at the Abe Lenstra Stadium left the Boeren 12 points clear of second-placed Feyenoord, who play Go Ahead Eagles later on Thursday.

Should Feyenoord fail to win that match, PSV will lift the league trophy for the first time since 2017-18.

[lawrence-related id=64087,63328,63657]

USMNT has no proven replacement for Dest, says Lalas

At least one ex-USMNT defender has doubts about the options behind the injured right back

With Sergiño Dest expected to miss this summer’s Copa América with a knee injury, Alexi Lalas says the U.S. men’s national team is facing a “huge” problem.

“I think he is — when he is healthy — an in-pen starter for this national team,” said Lalas of the PSV defender, who suffered an unspecified, long-term knee injury in training this past Saturday. “[Dest] has been vital in terms of up and down that right-hand side, providing an incredible talent and ability with the ball, incredible speed.”

Speaking on his State of the Union podcast, Lalas went on to declare that no other USMNT right back has been pushing Dest for the starting job, creating a pickle for the team going into a massive summer tournament.

“The big problem for Gregg Berhalter and this team is nobody — like the No. 9 position — has yet stepped up and even challenged, even remotely challenged, [Dest],” said Lalas. “At times in the past when we have seen players play in that position, the [Joe] Scallys and stuff, they have not shown that they’re even close to stepping into his shoes right now.”

Scally is the obvious choice to replace Dest, but his form at Borussia Mönchengladbach has been iffy at best this season. Additionally, Scally plays the position much differently, taking fewer risks and offering less going forward than Dest, who functions as an X-factor for the USMNT.

Lalas noted that Berhalter has “possibilities of doing some different things,” which could mean a shift to a back three, or experimenting with players in new positions. Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, and Tim Weah all have right back or right wingback experience, for example, though all three are seen as locked-in starters elsewhere for the USMNT.

Dest at least got some good news on the club front on Wednesday, with PSV boss Peter Bosz stating that he’d like the club to sign the USMNT defender to a permanent deal from Barcelona.

The 23-year-old joined the Eredivisie giants on loan this season, and his frosty relationship with Barça manager Xavi — who will reportedly stick around for the 2024-25 campaign — has boosted the chances of a full transfer this summer.

[lawrence-related id=64087,63657,63328]

PSV boss Bosz wants to sign Dest permanently despite serious injury

The USMNT right back is set to be sidelined until 2025

PSV head coach Peter Bosz said that his side still wants to sign Sergiño Dest on a permanent basis even after a serious knee injury.

Dest suffered the injury in training on Saturday and though the extent hasn’t officially been revealed, multiple reports have indicated that the right back tore his ACL and will be sidelined for the remainder of 2024.

The 23-year-old has had a standout campaign with the Dutch side, which has a reported €10 million purchase option when his loan from Barcelona expires at the end of this season.

Though the fullback will miss a significant part of the 2024-25 campaign, Bosz said at a press conference on Wednesday that he still hopes to have Dest at his disposal.

“I am talking for myself as a coach and as a staff,” Bosz said. “I would very much like to have him there. It clicked in the way we played. It clicked as a person. It clicked with the player group.

“He also just played well actually all season. Then you want to keep him. The same goes for the club, actually. I think they would also like to keep him there.”

Is Weston McKennie dating an Inter player’s sister?

There’s no confirmation yet, but there’s an awful lot of smoke

Weston McKennie has been in the headlines in Italy lately, which isn’t unusual for a key player at Juventus. But many stories about McKennie recently have had little to do with his ability to kick a soccer ball.

The Italian press, boosted by some obsessive social media sleuths, recently started noticing the Juventus midfielder exchanging likes on social media with Chiara Frattesi, a model and the sister of Inter midfielder Davide Frattesi.

The talk started to heat up earlier this month when Frattesi was spotted in the stands for Juventus’s match against Fiorentina. Frattesi has been known to frequent Inter games to support her brother, but what would bring her to a Juventus match? Did she simply want to see Max Allegri’s 3-5-2 system in action?

But then, more smoke: Frattesi posted a picture of herself with two dogs on Instagram that several astute observers pointed out looked an awful lot like McKennie’s dogs.

Finally this weekend, there was more. McKennie posted a picture of a Lego model of the Eiffel Tower on Instagram with the caption: “Finally finished.”

Minutes later, Frattesi posted a picture of the very same Eiffel Tower from a slightly different angle.

McKennie and Frattesi have not come out publicly with any confirmation that they are a couple, so for now, they can only be considered two people in one other’s orbit.

But they do seem to be orbiting pretty closely at present.

[lawrence-related id=61595,61512,63733]

Late Weah assist sends Juventus to Coppa Italia final at Lazio’s expense

Weah’s 2023-24 hasn’t been ideal, but the USMNT winger helped Juventus advance to a cup final

Juventus is going through to the Coppa Italia final, and they have Tim Weah to thank for the opportunity.

The U.S. men’s national team winger came off the bench to produce a late assist on Arkadiusz Milik’s 83rd minute goal, which was just enough to get Juve past Lazio 3-2 on aggregate.

A 2-0 first-leg win earlier this month had set Juve up well, but Valentín Castellanos’ brace on Tuesday had levelled the tie at the Stadio Olimpico.

However, Massimiliano Allegri’s substitutions proved critical. Weah’s entry in the 70th minute was key, with the USMNT man fizzing a low cross in for Milik, who finished off a tap-in with what was his first touch.

Lazio would push for a late equalizer, but Juve held strong, clinching a place in May 15’s one-off final. That match will be held at the Stadio Olimpico, with either Fiorentina or Atalanta as Juventus’ opponent. I Viola holds a 1-0 edge after the first leg, with the second leg taking place on Wednesday at the Gewiss Stadium.

The assist may be Weah’s biggest moment of what has been a difficult season with Juventus. After toggling between Weah and Andrea Cambiaso for the starting job at right wingback, Allegri has generally preferred to start the Italian in recent months. Despite appearing in 29 of Juve’s 36 matches this season, Weah has just one goal and two assists.

Watch Weah help Juve to the Coppa Italia final

[lawrence-related id=62727,40527,61512]

Adams will miss fifth straight Bournemouth match with back injury

It’s becoming an increasingly lost season for the USMNT captain

Tyler Adams can’t catch a break this season.

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has ruled out the American midfielder for a fifth consecutive game as he continues battling back spasms.

Adams will be absent on Wednesday when Bournemouth takes on Wolves, in what is becoming an increasingly lost season for the U.S. men’s national team star.

Iraola was asked on Tuesday whether Adams or Marcus Tavernier would recover from their injuries in time to face Wolves.

“We don’t lose anyone, we don’t recover anyone, so it’s going to be the same players available,” the coach replied at his pre-match press conference.

Adams remains stuck on three appearances for Bournemouth this season, having missed the opening of the season recovering from hamstring surgery back in March 2023 with Leeds.

The 25-year-old suffered an immediate setback after making his Cherries debut in September, and was forced to go back under the knife for a second surgery. Adams would return in March, making two Bournemouth appearances along with two appearances for the USMNT in the Nations League.

Iraola expanded on Adams’ current situation during a press conference ahead of last weekend’s game against Aston Villa.

“Not a bad injury and feeling pain in his muscle, but after so much time out we have to be careful with these decisions,” the coach said. “The medical department are dealing with it. I hope he will be back early but definitely not for Villa.”

After Wednesday’s game against Wolves, Bournemouth has just four matches remaining in the season.

[lawrence-related id=63668,63657,62727]

USWNT star Horan named player of the season finalist in France

The USWNT captain is one of three finalists for the prestigious award

Lindsey Horan has been rewarded for a standout season with Lyon, as the midfielder was named one of three finalists for the Division 1 Féminine player of the season award.

The U.S. women’s national team captain has netted six league goals for Lyon, which sits atop the table with an incredible record of 19 wins and one draw in 20 matches.

Lyon would have already locked up the title in previous seasons, but the French top flight will decide its champion this season in a knockout-style competition between the top four finishers in the league.

PSG, which is currently in second place, is the home to Horan’s two competitors for the individual prize. Tabitha Chawinga has a league-best 18 goals this term, while her teammate Grace Geyoro has chipped in with 11 goals of her own.

Coincidentally, PSG and Lyon are also battling it out for continental honors as the two French teams face off in the UEFA Women’s Champions League semifinal.

Lyon secured a 3-2 home win in the first leg last weekend, with the second leg set for Sunday at Parc des Princes.

[lawrence-related id=63665,35822,61864]