Christian Pulisic Keeps Winning Critical Acclaim 🇮🇹🇺🇸

"Today's Milan reminds me of mine, never any controversy: an organized team with a spirit of collaboration. I really like Pulisic."

—AC Milan legend Roberto Donadoni speaking about his former club and its American winger, to Gazzetta dello Sport. It’s also worth noting that Donadoni is not new to the Puli bandwagon, as he previously said of CP11: “He is decisive, he plays everywhere, he excels in one-on-one. And he scores great goals.” 🤌

Christian Pulisic: A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Footballer

Not since the likes of Andy Warhol has a Pennsylvanian been so fashionable in Milan. But such is life for Christian Pulisic 🇮🇹 (25; Hershey, PA), who keeps winning critical acclaim week after week for his Serie A exhibitions.

Last Wednesday it was a standout performance at Cagliari that saw him set up the first (WATCH) and assist the third (WATCH) in Milan’s 3-1 win. Then on Saturday he scores the match-winner in the 60th minute against Lazio (WATCH) to lead Milan to a 2-0 victory at the San Siro. With his father in attendance, no less.

Naturally, these sublime performances have not gone unnoticed. Puli’s play has led to front-page newspaper coverage in Italy. And Third First Bud Lights of the Day being held aloft back home.

Thanks in no small part to Pulisic, AC Milan are now second place in Serie A, trailing their roommates Inter on goal difference only. Next is a visit to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League right about the time this newsletter is being distributed. Here’s to hoping CP11’s creative streak continues in the land of Bauhaus, Brahms, and Brecht.

Do Not Disturb Malik Tillman:

Perhaps Malik Tillman 🇳🇱 should take The Postal Service’s advice and plan on Sleeping In more. Hitting snooze one time too many has seemed to reinvigorate his play on the pitch.

Ever since he was left out of the squad for oversleeping, the 21-year-old from Nürnberg, Germany has been operating on another level entirely. First, he had a goal (WATCH) and an assist (WATCH) in PSV’s 3-1 win over Volendam on Saturday. Then he follows that up with an exceptional performance against Sevilla in the Champions League on Tuesday. Tillman was a solid presence in midfield against the Europa League champions, while also showing great creativity in the final third — check out his full-match highlights here — even drawing a penalty on veteran defender Sergio Ramos in the 68th minute, which led to PSV’s first goal of the match.

All of this would lead one to think that the Bayern loanee stands a decent chance of playing against Germany for the USMNT on Oct. 14. Assuming he wakes up in time for the flight back to America.

Les Monstre de Mentalité …

… is what Google Translate comes up with when you type in “mentality monster”, French to English. Which sounds magnifique to us.

After missing two penalties in one match during a loss to rivals Nice on September 22, Folarin Balogun 🇫🇷 (22; London, ENG) bounced back like a champ a week later. Facing a second South Coast enemy in Olympique Marseille on Saturday, Balo was an absolute handful up top, scoring one and assisting another in Monaco’s 3-2 home win. Even better was the fact that he lined up next to club legend Wissam Ben Yeder, the two working together famously up top, meaning it’s entirely possible manager Adi Hütter can start both of them together going forward.

Les Rouge et Blanc are atop Ligue 1 through seven matches. If Balogun keeps this up, there’s no reason to think they can’t challenge PSG and the rest for some French hardware.

American Women Excelling From London to Lyon:

We always suspected there was a link between John Wooden and Emma Hayes. Now we have proof. Former UCLA Bruin Mia Fishel 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (22; San Diego, CA) headed in a beauty in her Chelsea debut playing for the English coaching great. The USWNT forward spoke with Chelsea socials about the moment afterwards, calling it a dream. Here’s to many more, Mia … Meanwhile on the continent, The Great Lindsey Horan 🇫🇷 (29; Golden, CO) played the entire match in Lyon’s win at PSG. That makes it two wins in two to start the season for the defending French champions. Allez Lindz!

News and Notes:

• Some tough news for Tyler Adams 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (24; Wappingers Falls, NY), as it seems the Bournemouth midfielder and USMNT captain has suffered another injury setback and will be “out for some time.” This just after making his return to the pitch last week. Wishing you nothing but the best, Tyler. Know you will be back out there soon. 💪

• FC Heidenheim’s Lennard Maloney 🇩🇪 (23; Berlin, GER) was named to the Kicker Team of the Week after the first-time Bundesliga squad pulled off the upset 1-0 win over Union Berlin. Will be interesting to see what this level of success in Germany’s top flight does for his USMNT prospects, and his chances of getting a first call-up.

• Brenden Aaronson 🇩🇪 (22; Medford, NJ) was a late sub for Union Berlin in their first-ever home Champions League match, but Garden State Göetze was unable to help lift the Iron Ones to a result at home, as they fell 3-2 to Braga.

• More from the Medford Footballing Factory that is the Aaronson household … Paxten Aaronson 🇩🇪 (20; Medford, NJ) was an 82’ sub in Eintracht Frankfurt’s 2-0 loss at Wolfsburg on Saturday. Kevin Paredes 🇩🇪 (20; South Riding, VA) came on for the home side at 79’.

• Tanner Tessmann 🇮🇹 (22; Birmingham, AL) and Gianluca Busio 🇮🇹 (21; Greensboro, NC) started in Venezia’s 3-1 win at Modena. Canal Boys are now up to third in Serie B. It’s early, but how glorious would it be to have more Americans crashing the Serie A party?

• Henry Wingo 🇭🇺 (28; Seattle, WA) absolutely hammered one for Ferencvaros in Hungary. Space Needle Stunner. Seriously, do yourself a favor and watch.

• Few more quick ones … Augustin Anello 🇳🇱 (21; Miami, FL) got his first start for Sparta Rotterdam … Leicester loanee Zach Booth 🇳🇱 (19; Eden, UT) put in a solid midfield sub shift for Volendam against USMNT-friendly PSV … Damion Downs 🇩🇪 (19; Werneck, GER) came off the bench for Köln again … Caden Clark 🇩🇰 (20; Medina, MN) made his debut for Vendsyssel in the Danish second tier Friday.

Parting Shots:

🍻 Let’s all raise Ein Maß for Jordan Pefok 🇩🇪 (27; Washington, DC), as the USMNT striker started and had an assist in Borussia Monchengladbach’s 3-1 win at VfL Bochum on Saturday. Pefok now has a goal and an assist in his three starts for the Foals this season, giving them four points out of their last nine after starting the season with a draw and two losses. With Balogun and Pepi ahead of him, it might be tough for the 27-year-old from Washington, D.C. to find his way back into the USMNT fold, but it’s hard not to be happy for one of our own finding a new home with such a storied German club.

Listen to our New Podcast Men in Blazers: Early Kick Off

Spread The Word About This Newsletter And Receive Free MiB Clobber As A Thank You 🇺🇸 🙌 🍻

Don't let your love for our men and women abroad go to waste. Use our new newsletter referral program, share American States United with your friends, and earn exclusive prizes from the Men in Blazers universe. Whether you're a casual observer or a full-blown fanatic, there's a place for every 🇺🇸 fan. Rewards include:

• Discounts on MIB merch

• Exclusive red, white, and blue patch

• MIB Umbro Socks