Pulisic, Weah Continue to Shine in Serie US-A 🇮🇹🇺🇸

"It’s not something where you just pick up the phone and say, ‘Hey bud, here’s how it’s going to be.’ There is work to be done.”

—Gregg Berhalter to Vanity Fair, about why he still has not spoken to Gio Reyna 🇩🇪 (20; Bedford, NY). Reyna — who has not played for Dortmund this season yet due to injury — was not called up to the USMNT squad to face Uzbekistan and Oman on September 9 and 12, respectively. Pulisic, Balogun, Weah, and a host of other Americans Abroad were called up, however. The full roster can be found here.

Pulisic, Weah Continue to Shine in Serie US-A:

Not since Brad Pitt and Don Cheadle spent some serious bro time at George Clooney’s Lake Como villa have Americans been this welcome in Northern Italy. But that’s what happens when our own USMNT-ers play key roles in getting some of Italy’s most storied clubs off to hot starts in Serie A.

Christian Pulisic 🇮🇹 (24; Hershey, PA) scored his second goal in as many games for AC Milan on Saturday, during their 4-1 win over Torino (WATCH). Which apparently has Chelsea fans lamenting the fact that he’s no longer playing football at Stamford Bridge — “Selling Him Was Stupid” may be an all-time UK sports tabloid headline … Yunus Musah 🇮🇹 (20; London, ENG) made his Milan debut in the same match, playing the final 24 minutes of the win.

Tim Weah 🇮🇹 (23; Rosedale, NY) started in Juventus’ 1-1 draw with Bologna on Sunday. While Juve was unable to make it two wins out of two to start the season, Weah was a bright spot for the Bianconeri, defending well and contributing to the attack from wingback. Weah was spelled by Weston McKennie 🇮🇹 (25; Little Elm, TX) in the 81st minute.

Despite being linked with a move to Inter Milan, one American who won’t be joining these four in Serie A is U.S. striker Folarin Balogun 🇫🇷 (22; London, ENG). This afternoon Balo officially joined Ligue 1 side AS Monaco (who dropped THIS quite remarkable video to announce the signing). The move takes Balo back to the league where he scored 21 league goals for Reims on loan last season. 🍻 to another season full of Balo goals in France.

Americans in the Bundesliga:

Our boys in Germany aren’t quite playing at the level of what we’re seeing in Italy, but they’re playing key roles for some top German sides nonetheless … Brenden Aaronson 🇩🇪 (22; Medford, NJ) received a very questionable red card in Union Berlin’s 4-1 win over Darmstadt on Saturday. The red came in the 21st minute for time wasting. While the ejection was disappointing, it did give his new club a chance to stand up for him on social media, a very welcome gesture after a difficult season at Leeds. Union are also on top of the Bundesliga table after two matches … Jordan Pefok 🇩🇪 (27; Washington, DC) also played 26 minutes for Union in the victory.

Paxten Aaronson 🇩🇪 (20; Medford, NJ) was a late sub in Eintracht’s 1-1 draw at Mainz on Sunday. The visitors pulled off the dramatic draw in the 91st minute, after Paxten subbed on, which led to this great celebratory photo.

Joe Scally 🇩🇪 (20; Lake Grove, NY) started for Gladbach in their 3-0 loss to Bayer Leverkusen … John Brooks 🇩🇪 (30; Berlin, GER) started in Hoffenheim’s 3-2 win at FC Heidenheim. It was the first-ever home Bundesliga match for FCH, who started U.S. U20 player Lennard Maloney 🇩🇪 (23; Berlin, GER) in midfield.

Josh Sargent Injury News:

Very rough news out of Norwich City, as Canaries manager David Wagner confirmed that USMNT striker Josh Sargent 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (23; O’Fallon, MO) has suffered a “serious” injury that will keep him out of action for “months rather than weeks.” Sargent was hurt while scoring in Saturday’s 4-0 win at Huddersfield Town (WATCH). The 23-year-old from O’Fallon, Mo. had gotten off to a very fast start this season, scoring three goals and adding an assist in Norwich’s first four league matches. Sending big love and courage to this bright, young American talent as he starts the road to recovery. 🫡

News and Notes:

• PSV host Rangers this afternoon in the second leg of their Champions League qualifier. First match was a 2-2 draw at Rangers. All three U.S. players — Sergino Dest 🇳🇱 (22; Almere, NED), Ricardo Pepi 🇳🇱 (20; El Paso, TX) and Malik Tillman 🇳🇱 (21; Nürnberg, GER) — look like they’re up for the challenge in this mini gallery.

• Matt Turner 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (29; Park Ridge, NJ) and Forest fell to Man Utd on Saturday, 3-2. Turner was solid in the loss, however, with seven saves (deffo peep this one) and keeping the visitors below their 4.03 xGOT (expected goals on target).

• Antonee Robinson 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (26; Liverpool, ENG) played every minute in Fulham’s impressive back-to-back draws with North London sides Arsenal and Spurs. The latter was in the League Cup, which saw the Cottagers advance via penalties.

• Luca de la Torre 🇪🇸 (25; San Diego, CA) started for Celta Vigo in their 1-0 loss to Real Madrid. Jude Bellingham scored the winner just after LDLT subbed off in the 80th minute, so the American technically got the draw against the Galacticos? 😬 Plus, it’s pretty hard to beat a team like Real when even the ref is trying to D you up.

• After a bit of a shaky start to his loan season in Belgium, Gaga Slonina 🇧🇪 (19; Addison, IL) started and got his second-straight win for KAS Eupen, a 3-1 victory over OH Leuven. Normally a yo-yo club, Eupen are now up to 4th in the Jupiler Pro League.

• Haji Wright 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (25; Los Angeles, CA) came off the bench in Coventry City’s 0-0 draw with Sunderland. Lynden Gooch 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (27; Santa Cruz, CA) did not play for the visitors.

• Joe Gyau 🇸🇪 (30; Silver Spring, MD) had a goal, his first of the season, for Degerfors in their 4-1 loss at Djurgarden.

• Bryan Reynolds 🇧🇪 played the full match in Westerlo’s 3-2 loss to KV Mechelen. Westerlo are now second from bottom in the Belgian top flight.

• There was an American Derby in the Dutch Second Tier, as Justin Che 🇳🇱 (19; Richardson, TX) and Den Haag won away against Gedion Zelalem 🇳🇱 (26; Berlin, GER) and Den Bosh, 2-1, on Friday. Both players started.

Parting Shots:

Duane Holmes (28; Columbus, GA) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 should have moved to Deepdale years ago. The 28-year-old born in Columbus, Ga. has two goals and two assists in five appearances for Preston North End since joining the second-tier side in July. Holmes’ most recent goal came in a 2-1 win over Swansea — watch him coolly slot home the winner here — which saw him named to the EFL Championship Team of the Week. Know it’s waaaay early, but what a story it would be if the attacking midfielder could help the founding members of the English Football League (first season in 1888) achieve their first-ever Premier League promotion.