A day after signing a multi-year contract with AC Milan, Christian Pulisic has once again shown his importance to the Serie A squad.
Pulisic scored his third goal of the season as the Rossoneri beat rivals and reigning Scudetto winners Inter at the San Siro. Ruben Amorim, 28, was named the SBI Americans Overseas Player of the Week after an impressive performance in the starting lineup.
Pulisic is known for his two-footed shooting ability, but it was his header that gave AC Milan an early lead. Diego Moreira’s dangerous cross was met by Pulisic in the penalty area, leaving the American striker open for a clinical header.
Adrien Rabiot and Alessandro Bastoni would trade goals late in the half, but the Rossoneri took a 3-1 lead into half-time after Moreira’s sensational free-kick restored AC Milan’s two-goal cushion.
Pulisic was lively from the opening whistle in his 82-minute display, completing three dribbles, winning five tackles, drawing one foul and making two defensive contributions.
Pulisic put in one of his best performances of the season after signing a multi-year extension with the club on Friday. He felt that scoring in a key derby victory was a great way to thank the club itself for their continued trust in him.
“I think I didn’t think too much about the contract, but it feels really good,” Pulisic told CBS Sports in a post-match interview. “What this club has given me from top to bottom. The trust they’ve given me. To repay these fans on a day like today, but I want to give them more because they’ve really restarted my career and helped me in so many ways, so I owe it to them.”
USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino will be pleased with Pulisic’s performance in the Milan Derby, knowing he could be vital in the Americans advancing to the CONCACAF Nations League quarter-finals in November.
Here’s a closer look at this week’s top Americans Abroad performances:
Sebastian Berhalter
Middlesbrough are currently tearing up the EFL Championship and American midfielder Sebastian Berhalter is the main reason why.
Berhalter scored his third goal of the season as Middlesbrough beat Charlton Athletic 3-0 at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday. The 25-year-old headed home on the right foot before also assisting once more in the club’s eighth league win of the season.
Berhalter has been one of the signings of the season as Kim Hellberg’s men sit at the top of the table.
Corbin Schrader
A
Ricardo Pepi
Welcome back Ricardo Pepi.
Pepi came off the bench to contribute a goal and an assist in PSV’s 7-0 league defeat of Willem II on Saturday. The American forward scored PSV’s fifth goal of the match before registering his first assist of the campaign.
Pepi’s scoring is important not only for PSV, but also for the USMNT as international play approaches.
Folarin Balogun
Monaco may have lost in Paris on Sunday, but Folarin Balogun bounced back between the goals.
Balogun scored his first goal of the season in Ligue 1 in Monaco’s 3–1 loss to Paris FC. The 25-year-old has made a frustrating start to the campaign, sitting behind Paris Brunner in Monaco’s No.9 table following a Deadline Day move that saw them fall to EPL side Everton.
If Monaco really want to challenge for silverware this season, Felipe Luis will need Balogun healthy and scoring at will.
What did you think of Americans Abroad’s action this weekend? Is there anyone else on this list who deserves a shout-out?
Share your thoughts below.