Puli’s Pre-Birthday Banger 🎂💥; Wes Makes UCL History Twice in One Game 🇮🇹

As far as birthday pre-celebrations go, this one was quite literally a banger.

On the eve of his 26th birthday, with the San Siro buzzing thanks to the arrival of fellow European giants Liverpool in a rematch of arguably the greatest Champions League Final ever played, America’s finest footballer Christian Pulisic showed up. And showed out.

Just 160 seconds into the game, the ball came to Pulisic on the right side of midfield, near the center circle. Puli swiftly ran onto the ball, and sped off down the right flank, cutting through the Reds’ midfield with four high-speed dribbles before reaching the danger zone. Once in the penalty box, he gathered himself for half a beat, before unleashing a right-footed, far-post rocket, the ball struck sweetly enough to blow past four-fifths of the vaunted Liverpool defense — Konstantinos Tsimikas, Ibrahima Konate, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Alisson — before slamming into the side netting.

It was a goal worth watching at least 26 times (video below). One that made the San Siro erupt, and at least momentarily captured the attention of the entire football world, given the magnitude and history of the matchup. It was truly a moment for USMNT fans to savor, even if Liverpool would ultimately go on to triumph, 3-1.

(After the match, Hershey Hazard did an interview with CBS, in which he seemed to get unintentionally ghosted by Thierry Henry … but not before sharing positive thoughts on new USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino. “It’s great for us, to have someone as experienced as him coming in. I think now we have the talent. Hopefully we have a coach that’s going to take us to that next level.”)

His turf-burning banger also provided a chance for perspective on where Pulisic is at this point in his career. The goal represented his 18th for the Rossoneri since joining last season. Factor in his 12 assists, and no player has contributed to more goals for AC Milan over that time than Pulisic. Jealous much, Chelsea? 

The Liverpool goal came on the heels of an MVP performance over the weekend, when he had a goal and an assist (video here) in Milan’s 4-0 win over Venezia on Saturday. (Fellow USMNT’er Gianluca Busio started and played 79 minutes for the visitors in the loss.)

Hard to believe it’s been a full decade of Puli in Europe. Should they ever carve an Americans Abroad Mount Rushmore into a U.S. mountainside, Pulisic’s face should be the first to be immortalized in granite.

History for USMNT on UCL Opening Day:

Puli wasn’t the only USMNT standout on Champions League Opening Day. Weston McKennie also scored a goal (watch here) for Juventus in the 27th minute of their 4-0 win over PSV. Wes even broke out the wand cele to mark the occasion, which was a truly joyous moment for the 26-year-old midfielder, whom as recently as 6-7 weeks ago was viewed as spare parts by manager Thiago Motta. Now it seems the new Juve boss has done a 180 on the Texan.

“McKennie is a guy who has a lot to contribute in all parts of the game,” Motta said after the win. “He has technical abilities, he has physique and occupies space well.”

While very much a statement goal, McKennie’s right-footed finish also combined with Pulisic’s goal to mark the first time two USMNT players scored in the Champions League on the same match-day.

Given it was Juvent-USA hosting PSV USA, the Allianz Arena became a lowkey USMNT flash mob, as five Americans — McKennie, Tim Weah, Richy Ledezma, Ricardo Pepi, and Malik Tillman — all took the pitch on the night, which is a record number of players to appear in a single Champions League game. Nothing quite like those Euro-merican Nights.

Poch Show Hits Broadway:

More American football history this past week, as our men’s soccer savior officially reached these shores. Mauricio Pochettino completed his own version of Coming to America, after signing on as USMNT manager last Tuesday, and then holding his first media session this past Friday in NYC.

The personable former Spurs, PSG, and Chelsea manager dropped a number of gems over the course of the press conference. From already referring to our beloved sport as “soccer,” to making like an Argentinian Ted Lasso and urging everyone to just believe, Poch was a firehose of charm and footballing intelligence during his Manhattan unveiling.

But perhaps his most important line of the day was his most direct. And one that truly sets this program on the right course heading into World Cup 2026.

“This is about creating something special. That is the most important thing. We are here because we want to win.”

Rog was fortunate enough to get the first sitdown interview with Poch the day before he met with the media in Manhattan. From his famous connections to coaching legend Marcelo Bielsa, to the truth about his beloved lemons, be sure to watch the interview in full on our YouTube channel.

News and Notes:

• Player of the Month awards just might not have more meaning attached to them than this one. Brenden Aaronson was voted Leeds Player of the Month for August. Incredible tenacity and drive shown by Medford Messi in winning the famously passionate fans of the Yorkshire club back over to his side. 🤍

• Congrats to Galway United’s Patrick Hickey, who was voted League of Ireland Player of the Month for August. Best thing to come out of Des Plaines, Ill. since fashion designer Eileen Fisher and actor “Scary” Perry Caravello, perhaps better known as Simon S. Salty on the hilariously absurd animated series “Smiling Friends.” 😀

• Burnley’s Luca Koleosho had one of the more impressive full-field dribbles for a goal that you will see this season (watch here). Have to hope the fact that we have Poch in place will help us recruit the talented 20-year-old winger away from the Italian national team.

• It’s early still, but according to local reports, former USMNT boss Gregg Berhalter may become the next Chicago Fire head coach.

• Kahveh Zahiroleslam had an assist on a lovely through-ball in Sint-Truiden’s 2-1 win over OH Leuven on Sunday. That’s three goals and two assists in seven Belgian top-flight appearances (all starts) for the 6-4 striker from Yale.

• Born in Basildon, raised in Texas, and eligible for the USMNT, 22-year-old striker Charlie Kelman had his third goal of the season in Leyton Orient’s 1-0 win over Reading on Saturday. Best Texan/Englishman since Conrad Keely of … And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead. 🎸

• Damion Downs scored his second goal of the season for FC Köln in their 2-1 loss to Magdeburg on Saturday in Germany’s second tier. The 20-year-old German-American striker has three caps for the U.S. U23s.

Parting Shots:

The likes of Haji Wright, Josh Sargent, and Aidan Morris aren’t the only Americans Abroad finding massive success in the English Football League. This past Monday saw an absolute belter of a match between two American Owners Abroad sides, as Tom Brady’s Birmingham City hosted Rob McElhenney’s beloved Wrexham AFC in a League One top-of-the-table clash. Tom Terrific sat in the stands with U.K. footballing royalty, but not before receiving a proper, and profane (and hilarious) Welsh welcome by Red Dragons away fans. Philadelphia Rob, meanwhile, recruited Brady gridiron nemesis Eli Manning into the ranks of the Wrexham ultras, but it turned out to be not quite enough, as the Blues walked away with the 3-1 win on the night, moving them into second place behind previously perfect Wrexham. 

While it’s a long season, should both sides go up, they very well could have Will Ferrell and J.J. Watt waiting for them in the Championship. EFL, So Hot Right Now. EFL.

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