Tag: Christian Pulisic

AC Milan coach Fonseca says Pulisic can play as No. 10

The USMNT star should have more opportunities to play as a No. 10 this upcoming season

Even with a new coach, Christian Pulisic should have more opportunities to play as a No. 10 this upcoming season at AC Milan.

Pulisic had a sensational debut campaign with the Rossoneri last season, playing mostly as a right winger. But head coach Stefano Pioli would occasionally give the American chances to play as an attacking playmaker, which he used to great effect.

Pioli was dismissed at the end of the season, with Paulo Fonseca brought in from Lille to take over as head coach.

Speaking to the media in New York ahead of Milan’s preseason U.S. tour, Fonseca said that Pulisic would again have the chance to play in the middle in the 2024-25 campaign.

“I don’t know if in our structure we can speak about a No. 10, but [Pulisic] can play in that position,” Fonseca said. “We have other players who can play, [Ruben Loftus-Cheek] can play in that position.

“But yes, Christian has characteristics to play in this part of the pitch.”

The Portuguese boss was also full of praise for Pulisic’s debut campaign, which saw the U.S. men’s national team star score a career-best 15 goals in all competitions.

“It’s not easy for a foreigner to arrive in their first year and perform like Christian did because it’s difficult for a player like him to find space in Italy,” Fonseca said. “So if he did so well in the first year, I believe he can do better in the second year.”

Pulisic was given a 10-minute cameo on Saturday night as Milan defeated Manchester City 3-2 in a friendly at Yankee Stadium.

Milan will face Real Madrid in Chicago and Barcelona in Baltimore to close out its tour of America.

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Pulisic turns focus to AC Milan after Copa America disappointment with USMNT

The USMNT star is back with his club, which is ready for a three-game tour of the U.S.

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – After a tumultuous summer with the U.S. men’s national team, Christian Pulisic is turning his focus to AC Milan.

Pulisic, the face of the national team program, is currently taking in preseason with AC Milan in the United States. The Serie A giants will play Manchester City on Saturday at Yankee Stadium, part of their three-game tour of the U.S.

AC Milan claims to be the most followed Italian club in the United States, with Pulisic and fellow USMNT star Yunus Musah both prominent parts of the first team. With a balanced and deep squad, there is optimism this year that the Rossoneri can bounce crosstown rival Inter from atop the Serie A standings.

This ambition comes as things with the national team remain a bit muddled.

Following a disappointing Copa América where the USMNT was bounced from the group stage, head coach Gregg Berhalter was fired. The federation has promised a thorough and comprehensive search, one that should see the next head coach guide the team through the 2026 World Cup.

“For us, of course, it was disappointing to exit as early as we did,” Pulisic said on Friday during a press event hosted by AC Milan to promote their tour.

“I have had a lot of time to think about it. For me, it was important to also take the time off and take some rest because it was a long season. And now my focus is here, 100 percent, to be honest. Obviously, some things will change with the national team and a new coach on the way or whatever. But I’ll worry about that in the international windows.

“I’m excited to be here, got some good rest. Really just ready to get started here. Obviously, we have a lot of games ahead this season.”

After a difficult end to his spell at Chelsea, Pulisic re-emerged as a top-tier talent on the club scene last season.

Pulisic scored 15 goals in 50 total appearances last year in an excellent debut campaign with Milan. The club finished second in the Serie A standings.

Coming off the struggles of the previous two years at Chelsea, where playing time and form were often strained, last year saw Pulisic reinvigorated with the Italian giants. It was a strong season that showed his technical quality in the final third in a league known for savvy and nuanced defending.

“When you join a big club there are always a lot of challenges. Coming here, not speaking the language, a new culture, a new country, it can be difficult,” Pulisic said.

“To be honest, some of these guys and just the club in general showed me the support and trust right from the beginning so they made the process very smooth for me. I was able to find a place just enjoying playing my football again. For me, that was the most important thing. I was happy to help the team and contribute and looking forward to an even better year.”

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Pulisic tells Fallon he’ll (maybe) do ‘Three Amigos’ salute if he scores vs. Man City

If Pulisic scores on Saturday, the tension will be enormous

Christian Pulisic didn’t exactly guarantee it, but there seems to be a decent chance the AC Milan star will break out an unorthodox celebration if he scores against Manchester City on Saturday.

Pulisic was a guest on “The Tonight Show” with Jimmy Fallon on Thursday, as the U.S. men’s national team star made his late-night debut.

The forward was in New York promoting AC Milan’s three-game preseason tour of the USA, which kicks off Saturday at Yankee Stadium against the Premier League champions.

If Pulisic scores in that match, Fallon is hoping he’ll perform a throwback celebration that pays tribute to a movie that was released 12 years before he was born.

Fallon requested Pulisic perform the “Three Amigos” salute, with which the forward understandably didn’t seem to be familiar.

For those, like Pulisic, who don’t remember the 1986 classic starring Chevy Chase, Steve Martin and Martin Short, the salute goes like this:

Fallon reenacted the salute in front of Pulisic and though he didn’t exactly get a guarantee that that USMNT star will honor the John Landis film if he finds the net at Yankee Stadium, it wasn’t a hard no either.

If Pulisic scores on Saturday, the tension will be enormous.

Watch Fallon request ‘Three Amigos’ celebration from Pulisic

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Pulisic to USMNT fans: You deserve and will get better

The captain wants fans to be optimistic after a disastrous tournament

U.S. men’s national team star Christian Pulisic has sent a message to the team’s fans after a disappointing Copa América showing.

Drawn into a group with Bolivia, Panama and Uruguay, the USMNT crashed out at the group stage of a tournament on home soil.

The team’s showing, which saw it defeat Bolivia before losing to Panama and Uruguay, has left head coach Gregg Berhalter’s job hanging in the balance.

The performance was especially discouraging, given the team will have precious few opportunities to play meaningful games between now and a 2026 World Cup that will be held on home soil.

On Sunday, Pulisic shared a brief message to disappointed USMNT fans on his Instagram story.

“You deserve and will get better U.S. fans,” he said. “Better days ahead.”

Pulisic then added in another story: “Time to rest for a bit before a big season ahead.”

Finally, the AC Milan star reposted a picture from his presumed girlfriend, golfer Alexa Melton, of the pair lounging on the beach.

Pulisic is set to return to Italy in the coming days before he and his teammates return to the U.S. for a preseason tour later this month.

Milan will take part in the Soccer Champions Tour, and is set for matches against Manchester City. Real Madrid and Barcelona.

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USMNT star Pulisic responds after referee refuses handshake

On the referee, Pulisic said: “He’s doing things that I just can’t accept”

After the U.S. men’s national team was eliminated from the Copa América on Monday night, Christian Pulisic went up to the three match officials to shake their hands.

After Pulisic shook an assistant referee’s hand, head referee Kevin Ortega rebuffed the USMNT’s star. That move didn’t go down well with Pulisic, who was already fuming after a match filled with controversial decisions from Ortega.

Needing a win to advance past the group stage, the USMNT fell 1-0 to Uruguay at Arrowhead Stadium on Monday. Ortega didn’t cover himself in glory for much of the game, particularly on a bizarre first-half sequence where he allowed play to continue even as he was issuing Chris Richards a yellow card.

Uruguay would have scored on the play were it not for Tim Ream’s desperate clearance.

The game’s lone goal was also shrouded in controversy, as Mathías Olivera’s 66th-minute strike appeared to be offside even after a VAR review. The refereeing crew, however, awarded Uruguay the goal in a massive blow to the USMNT.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Pulisic made it clear that he didn’t blame the referees for his side’s early exit from the tournament, but he wasn’t exactly full of praise for their performance, either.

“Honestly, I mean I saw things that I’ve never seen before right in front of my eyes today that I just I truly I can’t believe,” Pulisic said. “It’s not why we lost; we’re not out of this tournament because of officiating.

“But really, I’ve just seen things that I just really — I mean I think everyone can just give admit I don’t know what I’m looking at. I don’t know what they’re calling. I don’t know what he’s — he gives no explanation. He’s doing things that I just can’t accept.”

On Ortega’s handshake snub, Pulisic added: “He wouldn’t shake my hand. It’s normal — I mean, I guess.”

Watch referee refuse Pulisic’s handshake

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Why did a Copa America ref refuse to shake Christian Pulisic’s hand? Here’s the possible reason

This actually makes more sense with context.

The USMNT Copa America loss to Uruguay was filled with fans losing it over all kinds of stuff, from the high-up camera angle to the coaching by Gregg Berhalter to, especially, the heinous job by referees.

At the end of the night, fans then lost it over a referee refusing to shake the hand of USMNT star Christian Pulisic, which upon inspection seems like a very not classy thing to do.

But thanks to the full video, it’s possible we know why. It looks as if Pulisic gestures to the officials as if to ask why they weren’t celebrating the win with Uruguay.

Check it out:

Uh, yeah. That would make a little more sense.

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Neymar tips USMNT and ‘great player’ Pulisic to surprise at Copa America

The Brazil star was impressed with the USMNT’s performance against his country in a friendly

Brazil star Neymar believes that Christian Pulisic has the ability to lead the U.S. men’s national team to a surprise performance at the Copa América.

Pulisic was in inspired form in the USMNT’s tournament opener on Sunday night, as his third-minute goal put his team on its way to a 2-0 win over Bolivia.

That early strike made it two straight games with a goal for Pulisic, who also found the net with a free kick in the USMNT’s 1-1 friendly draw against Brazil earlier this month.

The USMNT surprised Neymar in that match, and the Seleção‘s all-time top scorer believes Gregg Berhalter’s side can trouble some of the Copa América’s biggest sides.

“I know Pulisic, I watched the Brazil vs. United States game and the U.S. team surprised me a lot because they ran a lot, they played great defense against Brazil,” Neymar said in a video posted on X by Pase Filtrado.

“[Pulisic] is a great player, he spent a long time at Chelsea,” the Al Hilal star added. “The U.S. will surprise during the Copa América. From what I saw in the game against Brazil, they have everything to give teams trouble.”

Neymar was only able to watch his country’s game against the USMNT, as he remains sidelined with a torn ACL that will keep him out of the Copa América. The 32-year-old will be watching again on Monday as Brazil kicks off its Copa América with a match against Costa Rica in Los Angeles.

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WATCH: USMNT star Pulisic starts Copa America with banger vs. Bolivia

The USMNT star looks ready for Copa America

Christian Pulisic appears ready for the Copa América.

It took the U.S. men’s national team captain just three minutes to start the tournament with a goal, putting his side up early against Bolivia on Sunday.

Tim Weah found Pulisic off a short corner, and the AC Milan star took one touch near the edge of the box before unleashing a curling effort that goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra could only get a fingertip on.

The goal was the 30th for Pulisic in his international career, tying him with Brian McBride for fifth in USMNT history.

The goal came in Pulisic’s 69th cap, making him the fastest USMNT player to reach 30 goals.

Watch Pulisic’s goal vs. Bolivia

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Watch: USMNT star Pulisic scores clever free kick vs. Brazil

The USMNT star scored off a well-worked routine on a set piece

Christian Pulisic continued to prove he is the talisman for the U.S. men’s national team, scoring a well-taken free kick against Brazil in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw.

Coming off a damaging 5-1 defeat to Colombia, the USMNT desperately needed to bounce back with a good performance in its final tune-up before Copa América.

But the U.S. suffered an early blow when Rodrygo gave Brazil the lead in the 17th minute in Orlando. Nine minutes later, Pulisic took matters into his own hands by winning a free kick just outside the box.

Tim Weah and Yunus Musah lined up alongside the Brazil wall, and quickly moved away as the AC Milan winger stepped up to take the set piece. That opened up a small window that Pulisic exploited by drilling a low angled shot into the corner past Alisson.

Per Opta, it was the first time Brazil had conceded directly from a free kick since Luis Suárez scored for Uruguay in 2021.

For Pulisic, it was his 29th career international goal, putting him one away from Brian McBride in fifth place on the all-time USMNT top scorers list.

Watch Pulisic’s free-kick goal vs. Brazil

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USMNT vs. Brazil odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Wednesday’s USMNT vs. Brazil odds and lines, with expert soccer picks, predictions and best bets.

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The USMNT battle Brazil in an international friendly Wednesday. Kickoff from Camping World Stadium in Orlando is set for 7 p.m. ET (TNT). Below, we preview FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the USMNT vs. Brazil odds, and make our best soccer bets, picks and predictions.

The USMNT is prepping for Copa America, which begins later this month. U.S. faces Brazil in its last warmup before a Copa America group stage schedule that includes matches vs. Bolivia, Panama and Uruguay.

The U.S. is coming off a tuneup 5-1 loss to Colombia Saturday (in Landover, Md.) to gauge where they are. The Americans allowed just 6 shots on target, but 5 of those ended up in the back of the net. The U.S. is 2-0-2 (W-D-L) through 4 matches in 2024. AC Milan F Christian Pulisic leads the squad with 28 goals in 67 caps, according to Wikipedia.

Brazil, on the other hand, has the 2nd-best odds to win Copa America at +220, only behind the F Lionel Messi-led Argentina (+175). Brazil beat Mexico 3-2 Saturday in a friendly at College Station, Texas. Brazil only took 5 shots, but netted 3. Brazil is 2-1-0 through 3 matches in 2024, having yet to lose. It will face Costa Rica, Paraguay and Columbia — arguably the most difficult group — in the Copa America group stage. Brazil will be led offensively in this match by F Vinicius Junior, who was the most lethal weapon for the UEFA Champions League-winning Real Madrid.

World class soccer coverage all in one place: Get ESPN+

USMNT vs. Brazil odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:51 p.m. ET.

  • Moneyline: USMNT +600 (bet $100 to win $600) | Brazil -270 (bet $270 to win $100) | Draw +370
  • Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -192 | U: +136)

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USMNT vs. Brazil picks and predictions

Prediction

Brazil 2, USMNT 0

Moneyline (ML)

PASS.

The USMNT (+600) has its Copa America squad taking the pitch. The Americans didn’t look good and were unable to stop Colombia Saturday along. They were unable to generate much offense in that match. The team looked totally out of sync on both sides. There’s no great reason to believe it could pull off even a draw against a Brazil side (-270) seen as significantly better than Colombia.

Behind Vini Jr., Brazil — No. 5 in the FIFA Men’s rankings — poses an even greater threat offensively for the U.S than No. 12 Colombia — the USMNT is 11th. Brazil has wins over 4th-ranked England and No. 14 Mexico this season and should be able to have its way with the USMNT.

However, the moneyline isn’t worth a play at -270.

Over/Under (O/U)

BET UNDER 2.5 (+136).

Brazil has gone Under this total in 5 of its last 8 matches and has gone Under it in 2 of its last 4. While it has scored 3 goals in each of its last 2 games, it ended with a combined 11 shots on goal through those matches. So, the numerous opportunities weren’t necessarily there.

As mentioned, the USMNT limited Colombia to just 6 shots on frame and should have a unit that bounces back after having been demolished Saturday. It has gone Under in 2 of its last 4 games, allowing just 2 goals in those 4 matches. It has the defense to slow down Brazil, while the USMNT offense has tallied just 1 goal in its 2 international friendlies this season.

Expect a game with a higher intensity than what the U.S. showed Saturday, and one with limited offensive opportunities. BACK UNDER 2.5 (+136).

Check out Pro Soccer Wire: For the American soccer fan, USA TODAY Sports Media Group’s website provides a fresh look at the beautiful game.

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