Pulisic Makes History Again 🇮🇹; Is Gio Returning Sooner Than Expected? 🇩🇪

Another week, another milestone for Christian Pulisic. 

Last week it was scoring at the San Siro against Liverpool in the Champions League. Now he’s gone and followed that up by becoming the first American to ever score in the Derby della Madonnina, in AC Milan’s 2-1 win over city rivals Inter Milan on Saturday. 

And what a goal it was. A moment of tenacious, skillful, individual brilliance. Best solo act from Pennsylvania since Taylor Swift.

Pulisic started the goal by impressively bodying Henrikh Mkhitaryan off the ball in midfield. Then he accelerated and hit a seam in the Inter defense, slicing his way past three defenders before sliding in for the toe poke past veteran goalkeeper Yann Sommer.

The goal was one thing, but the joy and passion shown by CP11 in the immediate aftermath was truly something to behold — confidently shushing the Inter fans before having cups of beer thrown at him, and later joyously celebrating the match-winner with his teammates. We have entered a new age of an all-conquering Pulisic, with the appreciation shown by the club and fans of Milan apparently having unlocked his true greatness, as well as joy for the game.

The change in Milan Pulisic compared to Chelsea Pulisic is recognized not just by fans, but by those within the game as well. Puli’s former Chelsea and AC Milan teammate, Olivier Giroud, spoke to CBS about what has changed for the USMNT star, and why he is hitting such heights at the San Siro.

“I think he's got more trust in his game. More confidence,” said Giroud. “He plays with more freedom. He's playing every single game. He's a very important player for Milan, at Chelsea he was in competition with so many wingers."

A smiling Pulisic also hit the interview circuit himself recently, doing a quick-fire sitdown with Goal in which he talked about: the player he wanted to be growing up (Luis Figo), the best player he’s ever played with (N’golo Kante), and the best player in the world right now (Lionel Messi).

But the ultimate reward of a great goal — and moment — like this in a massive derby? Diretta Stadio bringing the hilariously awe-inspiring “Puli! Puli! Sic! Sic!” chants back to the studio show. May these days of Ameri-calcio Wonder never end.

Americans Scoring From the South of France to Sittard:

Pulisic wasn’t the only Gen Zeagle doing great things in Europe. Or even Italy, for that matter.

Gianluca Busio scored the match-winner in Venezia’s 2-0 win over Genoa, which came just after he also won a penalty (which was saved) for the home side. Busio received a hefty 8.5 Fotmob rating for his efforts, all of this in his 100th appearance for the Canal Boys.

Folarin Balogun is back in the goals. The USMNT forward scored his first of the season for Monaco in the French League side’s 3-1 win over Le Havre on Sunday. With the victory, Monaco are undefeated (4W 1D 0L) and level on points with PSG and Marseille for first place in Ligue 1. Fellow USMNT forward Emmanuel Sabbi was a 79th minute substitute for the visitors.

Malik Tillman had a brace in PSV’s 3-1 win at Fortuna Sittard on Sunday, including a free kick that was so sweet it had the away fas singing his name afterwards, with one of the genuinely great player chants we’ve heard in a while. Afterwards, Tillman admitted it was his first free kick, with “hopefully more to come.” (Ricardo Pepi was an 80th minute substitute in the win, while Richy Ledezma missed the game entirely, though latest reports are that he’s suffering from a slight bruise, and should be available for the Eindhoven side this coming weekend.)

News and Notes:

• Good news out of Dortmund, as manager Nuri Sahin said that Gio Reyna could return by early October. “[Reyna] is on the right track. He might be able to play before the international break.” 💪

• Brenden Aaronson had the assist on Leeds’ second goal via a lovely through ball (watch here), in the Yorkshire side’s 2-0 win at Cardiff on Saturday. After being named Player of the Month for August, Medford Messi now has two goals and one assist in six games for Leeds. 🤍

• Last Fulhamerican Standing Antonee Robinson may not be long for the Cottage, as latest reports have Liverpool joining Manchester United in the quest to sign the USMNT left back during the January window.

• Weston McKennie got his first Serie A start of the season in Juventus’ scoreless draw with Napoli. Tim Weah subbed on at halftime for the Bianconeri. 

• Jordan Pefok had an assist in Union Berlin’s 2-1 win over Pellegrino Matarazzo and TSG Hoffenheim. It was the 28-year-old’s first goal contribution of the season. 

• Marlon Fossey was back in action at right wingback for Standard Liege in the Belgian side’s scoreless draw with Union St.Gilloise on Friday. The 26-year-old USMNT right back recently spoke to our own Herculez Gomez on VAMOS about his appreciation for the sport of football. "If there's one thing these injuries have taught me over the years, it's to be grateful to just train every day." (Listen to the full interview here.)

• Excellent Americans Abroad goal out of Argentina, as Alan Sonora (26; Buenos Aires) hit the sideways volley match-winner in Huracan’s 3-0 win over Lanus.

• Bob Bradley has been fired by Stabaek with seven games left in the season in Norway’s second division. The club released a statement that seemed genuinely grateful for the work Bradley has put in over his two stints with the team. “Bob will forever be a special part of the club's history -- a wise football head with enormous work capacity and great commitment.” ❤️

Parting Shots:

Great report out of the Netherlands, as FOX Soccer’s Doug McIntyre had the chance to speak with Sergiño Dest about the PSV right back opening a mini pitch in the neighborhood in which he grew up in Almere, a small city outside of Amsterdam. In the article, Dest talks about the importance of small-field soccer in developing ball control and dribbling. “[The pitch is] small, so you can go alone or with a couple friends, and you learn how to not just punch the ball forward and run. You have to control it in tight spaces. You can run a little bit, but you need to find other solutions to beat your opponent.” Dest hopes to open one in the U.S. ahead of the 2026 World Cup, hopefully helping to create next-gen skill merchants back here on home soil as well.