There's a very real chance that one of the USMNT stars could be the difference-maker Saturday in Italian soccer's big game
Shortly after beating Jamaica 4-2 in St. Louis, some of the U.S. men's national team's biggest stars boarded a plane bound for Italy. Tim Weah posted a video on IG story offering a glimpse into that flight. There he sat next to teammate Weston McKennie, who was singing along to music.
In walked Christian Pulisic, who drew a side-eyed glance from McKennie just hours after being assisted by him. Yunus Musah, not recorded, was surely on the plane as well. The ride was surely a fun one after a statement win that included big moments for all four.
For those who follow American soccer, it's easy to forget that what the players on that plane are doing every week is unprecedented. After a match that saw all four contribute to goals in a USMNT shirt, the four jetted straight back to Italy to prepare for one of the biggest games of the weekend in Serie A, one that the eyes of the world will be on. It was surely all laughs on that flight from St. Louis to Europe but, the moment they landed, it all reset. This weekend, it'll be USMNT teammates vs USMNT teammates on the biggest stage Italian soccer can provide.
On one side, the legendary AC Milan, one led by the surging Pulisic and a rising star in Musah. On the other, another Italian heavyweight in Juventus, one that is being lifted by Weah's goals and McKennie's continual fight back into the team's rotation. They are two of the world's biggest clubs and, as they prepare to face off at noon ET Saturday (streamed on Paramount+), there's a very real chance that the Americans on either side will make the difference.
Just a few short years ago, this was unfathomable. Now, as these four prepare to face off once again, it's almost starting to feel commonplace.
"It's amazing. It's a dream come true," Weah said. "You can see the progress in the national team, not only just looking at the four players in Italy, but pretty much everyone's playing in Europe. I think it's that is the only way the sport is going to get bigger here, and we just have to keep leading the way and paving that way for the younger guys."
This weekend isn't about paving the way, though; it's about real stakes. Entering the match, Juventus sit sixth in Serie A, with each of the top six within two points of one another. Milan, meanwhile are seventh, six points behind Juve, but with a game in hand. For Juve, this is about staying in the Scudetto race. For Milan, it's about jumping back into that very same race.
For the Americans involved, there's plenty at stake, too. GOAL takes a look at where each of the USMNT stars stand heading into this major match.
Getty Images SportChristian Pulisic
There's no mystery here. Heading into this weekend's match, Pulisic is just as essential to Milan as he is to the USMNT.
After scoring one, assisting one and setting up an own goal against Jamaica, Pulisic returns to Milan having somehow found a way to raise his level. He's been fantastic all year for club and country and continues to ride that wave whenever he bounces to either side of the Atlantic. Both the U.S. and Milan are reaping those rewards, with both relying heavily on the superstar attacker to open up doors for both himself and his teammates.
Pulisic already has five goals and three assists in Serie A so far this season, making him a key cog for Milan. Whether he starts centrally as a No. 10, as he has at times recently, or out wide opposite Rafael Leao, Pulisic is often the main dangerman. Right now, it doesn't matter the position, as all eyes in black and white shirts will be on Pulisic throughout Saturday's match.
If you want to stop Milan, it all starts with Pulisic. The world knows that now, and that includes Juventus. It's easier said than done, though, isn't it?
AdvertisementGetty Images SportYunus Musah
During his short time under Mauricio Pochettino, Musah has really gotten to flex his versatility. He's played as a right-winger, right-wingback and a central midfielder, showing that he can influence games from all three spots with goals and assists. That's something that has been lacking in his game a bit… but can he bring them back to Milan?
Musah has largely remained in midfield with Milan this season, featuring as part of both a three-man midfield and a double pivot. AC Milan boss Paulo Fonseca likely won't be getting any ideas from Pochettino when it comes to starting Musah on the wing given his own talent in the attack, but the same principles that make Musah dangerous with the U.S. could apply to Milan.
For Musah, the next step in his game is adding the occasional goal or assist. His ability to drive the ball forward is always a useful tool, but can he be a gamechanger? He has been recently with the USMNT, scoring against Panama and then assisting against Jamaica. He'll face a tough battle against a Juventus midfield that will likely include his USMNT teammate McKennie, which makes this one of the tougher challenges he'll face in Serie A play.
AFPWeston McKennie
No matter what's thrown his way, McKennie always seems to come out on the other side of it. He looked destined for the exit door once again just a few months ago but, as Juve heads into this crucial match, McKennie remains a contributor and a key player in this team's hopes.
McKennie has featured in eight of Juve's 12 matches this season, starting four and coming off the bench in four more. Lately, he's been used as more of a substitute option, coming off the bench in the Old Lady's two most recent wins over Udinese and Torino.
For all of the good things McKennie brings to Juve, he does still face a fight to get into the midfield. Khephren Thuram, Manuel Locatelli, and Teun Koopmeiners have been the starters in recent weeks, but Juve boss Thiago Motta could find it useful to turn to McKennie to help contain his two USMNT teammates in the Milan team, particularly given their recent form.
GettyTim Weah
He's back and as good as ever, and he'll be riding high following his USMNT goal.
After starting the season with a goal in Juve's opener, injuries derailed Weah for a bit there, but he's been firing since his return. With four goals in his last six appearances for club and country, this feels like the best streak of his young career. It coincides with a move back into the attack with Juventus. After spending last season as a wing-back, Weah is back in his best position, and he's making an impact.
He scored in the big draw with Inter Milan in October and then again in the draw with Parma one week later. After going goalless for an entire week-and-a-half, he netted in the 2-0 win over Torino right before the international break before completing his USMNT return with a fantastic finish against Jamaica.
It could be argued that Weah, not Pulisic, might just be the USMNT's most in-form player. He'll get a chance to show it this weekend as he looks to help a hot-and-cold Juve attack to a big win against the club where his father achieved legendary status.
