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"He said I will have an important role in the (USMNT) program for many years going forward.”

—Gio Reyna 🇩🇪 (20; Bedford, NY) on a conversation he recently revealed to have had with U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker in Las Vegas after the Nations League win over Mexico. Reyna, who was injured during the competition, is looking like he could be fit for the start of the upcoming Bundesliga season, according to Borussia Dortmund manager Edin Terzic.

Pulisic’s Good Vibes Tour Hits USA ❤️🖤:

It’s extremely difficult, if not impossible, to be a USMNT fan these days and not feel joy at the vibes emanating from Christian Pulisic 🇮🇹 (24; Hershey, PA) since signing with AC Milan. He’s found a place where he feels appreciated, and it’s showing both in his demeanor off the pitch, and in his play on it.

Puli had an assist — and then a huge smile — in AC Milan’s friendly against Real Madrid at the Rose Bowl on Sunday. “I expect a lot from him. Christian Pulisic is a great player,” said manager Stefano Pioli afterwards. More direct praise than Captain America received in all four years at Stamford Bridge combined.

“I feel good because Pulisic’s arrival pushes me to do more,” said Rossoneri star winger Rafael Leao. “It’s important to have serious, high quality players, as that will help us win trophies.”

All of this positivity has led to a more open CP11 this summer. From video chats with fellow Serie US-A Eagle Tim Weah, to interviews about the infamous hospital Snapchat pic, Christiano is a player who seems quite comfortable in his own skin again.

“It’s great to have a fresh start, and I’m thrilled to be a part of this team,” Pulisic said while stateside. Here’s to hoping this energy, and level of play, carries over to the upcoming season.

Americans Abroad Transfer Updates:

Pulisic has found a happy new home. But what about our guys whose careers are trapped in a Missing Persons song? Here’s a look at the latest likely destinations for USMNTers abroad.

Folarin Balogun 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (22; London, ENG) is drawing interest from Inter Milan and AS Monaco, according to Sky Sports. For the tea-leaf readers out there, Balo trained off by himself while with Arsenal recently during their U.S. Tour. Time with the Gunners coming to an end, perhaps? … Yunus Musah 🇪🇸 (20; London, ENG) is all about AC Milan, and joining Puli at the San Siro. He’s also apparently the only first-team player who isn’t training with Valencia these days … In the midst of having to prove his worth to Xavi, Sergino Dest 🇪🇸 (22; Almere, NED) got the start and played the first half against Arsenal on Wednesday.

Malik Tillman 🇩🇪 (21; Nürnberg, GER) was left out of Bayern’s preseason Asia Tour, a tell-tale sign that they’re looking to sell. A move to the Premier League still looks likely … Auston Trusty 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (24; Media, PA) to Rangers has reportedly stalled for now … Weston McKennie 🇮🇹 (24; Little Elm, TX) reportedly doesn’t want a move to Turkey, and may be holding out for Aston Villa. He killed time by doing his best Dak Prescott impersonation. 🏈

Fit But You Know It:

A slew of fitness updates for our boys abroad, most of them positive, but some (well, one) less than. To start, Tyler Adams 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (24; Wappingers Falls, NY) shared video of himself working out again amongst his Leeds teammates 👍 … Latest reports out of Scotland are that Cameron Carter-Vickers 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 (25; Southend-on-Sea, ENG) is looking as though he could be fit again for the start of Celtic’s season 👍 … Sam Vines 🇧🇪 (24; Colorado Springs, CO) came on in the 71st minute for Royal Antwerp in the Super Cup Final against KV Mechelen. Vines missed his attempt in the shootout, but Antwerp still triumphed, 1-1 (5-4). The USMNT left back looked quite happy after the win, understandable since he hadn’t played in a match for Antwerp since Oct. 30, 2022 👍 … Kevin Paredes 🇩🇪 (20; South Riding, VA) is likely to spend several weeks on the sidelines after suffering a muscle strain 👎

News and Notes:

• Great read from The Athletic on what went wrong at Leeds for Brenden Aaronson 🇩🇪 (22; Medford, NJ). Not to make excuses for the lad, but three different coaches in a single season can’t help.

• Tim Weah 🇮🇹 (23; Rosedale, NY) sang for his new Juve teammates, as one customarily does. Teammate Weston McKennie shot the footy.

• Julian Green 🇩🇪 (28; Tampa, FL) scored for Greuter Fürth in their friendly against Liverpool. Good, Julian, good!

• Rokas Putskas 🇭🇷 (18; Stillwater, OK) scored the 93’ winner for Hajduk Split in their Croatian top-flight season-opener against Dinamo Zagreb.

• Ricardo Pepi 🇳🇱 (20; El Paso, TX) has scored again for PSV, this time in the Lichtstad Derby friendly against FC Eindhoven. Happiest American in the Netherlands since Coach Beard got weird in Amsterdam. 🐷⚡️

Parting Shots:

Here’s to Giuseppe Rossi 🇮🇹, the 5’8” attacker from Teaneck, N.J. who opted to hang up the boots for good this week at 36, after a career that spanned 19 years, 10 clubs, 102 goals, and one scarf aloft pic with Sir Alex. Despite breaking U.S. hearts when he chose to play for the Italian national team over the USMNT, there was always some measure of pride in seeing a player who learned the game stateside play for some of the top clubs in Europe, and as an undersized, goal-scoring forward, no less. All the best in retirement, Garden State Baggio. 🙌