USMNT REWIND: Pulisic Scores in Second Straight Match for AC Milan

Christian Pulisic kicked off his tenure with AC Milan in most impressive fashion last week, finding the net in two successive wins.

A few other players from the U.S. Men’s National Team had some memorable moments as well. Josh Sargent and Miles Robinson found the net and Alex Zendejas contributed two assists.

And, Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender took center stage again in a cup competition, before recording a clean sheet in a league match three days later.

DREAM DEBUT

Christian Pulisic could not have conjured a better debut for AC Milan, as he scored in each of his first two games for the Italian Serie A side.

In his first start on Monday, Aug. 21 the Hershey, Pa. native scored in the 21st minute, helping Milan to a 2-0 victory at Bologna. Oliver Giroud, who put home Milan’s first goal, sent the 24-year-old a back-heel pass as Pulisic connected for a superb tally from the edge of the penalty area.

.@pulisic opens his @acmilan account with an absolute golazo

🇺🇸

🎥 » @CBSSportsGolazo

pic.twitter.com/1AvKXlADMe

— U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team (@USMNT) August 21, 2023

Starting again on Saturday, Aug. 26, Pulisic lifted Milan to a 1-0 lead in the 33rd minute of its 4-1 home-opening win over Torino at the San Siro. He scored depositing Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s right-wing feed from point-blank range on the far end of the goal.

🐯🐯🐯🐯🐯🐯

🎥 » @CBSSportsGolazo pic.twitter.com/5FZXdf2Hy2

— U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team (@USMNT) August 26, 2023

Midfielder Yunus Musah, who missed the opener serving a red-card suspension carried over from his last match with Valencia last season, made his Milan debut in Saturday’s contest as he replaced Loftus-Cheek in the 66th minute.

Yunus’ competitive debut

🤩#MilanTorino #SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/usSHJwd2xS

— AC Milan (@acmilan) August 26, 2023

ECSTASY, THEN AGONY

Josh Sargent continued his hot start to the English Championship campaign, scoring his third goal in as many contests in Norwich City’s 4-0 triumph at Huddersfield. But he paid a price, suffering an ankle injury on the play.

Sargent took advantage of a dubious defensive play in the 11th minute. A Huddersfield defender passed the ball back to goalkeeper Lee Nicholls and Sargent charged the keeper as he blocked the clearance. The ball took a bounce, and the striker headed it in just ‎as Nicholls knocked the USMNT striker to the ground where he appeared to land on his ankle.

Sargent was replaced by Adam Idah in the 14th minute and Norwich City manager and former U.S. international David Wagner said after the game, “Unfortunately it looked like Josh Sargent conceded quite a serious ankle injury.”

A RARE GOAL

Center back Miles Robinson connected for his second career MLS goal in 115 matches in the 57th minute of Atlanta United’s 4-0 victory over Nashville SC on Saturday, Aug. 27.

Dunk on ’em Miles Robinson

💥

Robinson skies for the header to put @ATLUTD up, 3-0. pic.twitter.com/PShPxqlPi0

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 27, 2023

Thiago Almada sent in a corner kick from the left side to Robinson, who headed it home from seven yards at the far post past goalkeeper Joe Willis for a 3-0 advantage.

The win propelled Atlanta United (11-7-8; 41 pts.) into sole possession of sixth place in the Eastern Conference, three points ahead of Nashville SC (11-9-5; 38 pts.).

HIS CUP RUNNETH OVER

For the second successive week, Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender came up with a save in a shootout to propel his side to victory. He denied Nick Hagglund on FC Cincinnati’s final attempt before Benjamin Cremaschi converted the game-winner as his team won the shootout, 5-4, in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Cup semifinal win in Cincinnati after playing to a wild 3-3 draw on Wednesday, Aug. 23.

Drake Callender: American 🇺🇸 Hero @intermiamicf | @opencup pic.twitter.com/IqZ2i8ieW9

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) August 24, 2023

Callender made a vital stop in the tie-breaker to lift Miami to a 10-9 shootout win over Nashville SC after a 1-1 draw and to win the inaugural Leagues Cup title on Aug.19.

FC Cincinnati’s Brandon Vazquez scored to give the hosts a 2-0 lead in the 53rd minute before Miami rallied through some late Lionel Messi magic, the Argentine star providing two assists to Benjamin Cremaschi and Leonardo Campana to force extra time.

Callender recorded his third shutout of the MLS season in Miami’s 2-0 win at the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, Aug. 26. He made four saves, parrying away Omir Fernandez’ dangerous header off John Tolkin’s corner kick in the 50th minute.

A BRACE OF ASSISTS

Midfielder Alex Zendejas set up the opening two tallies in Club America’s 3-2 home win over Necaxa in Liga MX on Aug. 23.

The 25-year-old assisted on Diego Valdes’ goal that knotted the game up at 1-1 in the 24th minute. Seven minutes later, Zendejas set up Brian Rodriguez’s goal that put Club America into a 2-1 lead.

Down south, Alex Zendejas set up @ClubAmerica’s opener tonight

🇺🇸pic.twitter.com/KOheggxm5p

— U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team (@USMNT) August 24, 2023

FULL RUNDOWN

• Brenden Aaronson (Union Berlin; Bundesliga) – 21 minutes, RED CARD, in 4-1 win at Darmstadt (Aug. 26)

• Paxten Aaronson (Eintracht Frankfurt; Bundesliga) – 7 minutes as a substitute in 1-1 draw at Mainz (Aug. 27); In 18, DNP in 1-1 draw at Levski Sofia in UEFA Europa Conference League qualifier (Aug. 24)

• Kellyn Acosta (LAFC; MLS) – 27 minutes as a substitute in 2-1 loss at Charlotte FC (Aug. 26); 45 minutes as a substitute in 4-0 win vs. Colorado Rapids (Aug. 23)

• Tyler Adams (Bournemouth; English Premier League) – Injured, DNP in 2-0 loss vs. Tottenham (Aug. 26)

• Folarin Balogun (Arsenal; English Premier League) – Not in 18, DNP in 2-2 draw vs. Fulham (Aug. 26); Not in 18, DNP in 1-0 win at Crystal Palace (Aug. 21)

• Taylor Booth (Utrecht; Dutch Eredivisie) – Injured, DNP in 1-0 loss at PEC Zwolle (Aug. 27)

• Gianluca Busio (Venezia; Italian Serie B) – 72 minutes in 1-1 draw vs. Cosenza (Aug. 26)

• Drake Callender (Inter Miami; MLS) – 90 minutes in 2-0 win at New York Red Bulls (Aug. 26); 120 minutes in 3-3 draw at FC Cincinnati (5-4 shootout win) in Open Cup (Aug. 23)

• Johnny Cardoso (Internacional; Brazilian Serie A) – In 18, DNP in 0-0 at Flamengo (Aug. 26); 90 minutes in 1-0 win at Bolivar in Copa Libertadores (Aug. 22)

• Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic; Scottish Premiership) – Injured, DNP in 0-0 draw vs. St. Johnstone (Aug. 26)

• Cade Cowell (San Jose Earthquakes; MLS) – 45 minutes in 3-0 loss at Sporting Kansas City (Aug. 26)

• Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven; Dutch Eredivisie) – 80 minutes in 2-2 draw at Rangers in UCL qualifier (Aug. 22)

• Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo, Spain La Liga) – 81 minutes in 1-0 loss at Real Madrid (Aug. 25)

• Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas; MLS) – Not in 18, DNP in 1-0 win vs. Austin FC (Aug. 26)

• Julian Gressel (Columbus Crew; MLS) – 85 minutes in 3-0 win vs. Toronto FC (Aug. 26)

• Ethan Horvath (Nottingham Forest; English Premier League) – In 18, DNP in 3-2 loss at Manchester United (Aug. 26)

• Sean Johnson (Toronto FC; MLS) – Injured, DNP in 2-0 loss at Columbus Crew (Aug. 26)

• DeJuan Jones (New England Revolution; MLS) – Not in 18, DNP in 1-0 loss at CF Montreal (Aug. 26)

• Weston McKennie (Juventus; Italy Serie A) – 8 minutes as a substitute in 1-1 draw vs. Bologna (Aug. 27)

• Mark McKenzie (Genk; Belgian Pro League) – 90 minutes in 2-1 win vs. Adana Demirspor in UEFA Europa Conference League qualifier (Aug. 24)

• Djordje Mihailovic (AZ Alkmaar; Dutch Eredivisie) – 60 minutes in 1-1 draw vs. Brann in UEFA Europa Conference League qualifier (Aug. 24)

• Shaq Moore (Nashville SC; MLS) – 90 minutes in 4-0 loss at Atlanta United (Aug. 26)

• Aidan Morris (Columbus Crew; MLS) – 86 minutes in 3-0 win vs. Toronto FC (Aug. 26)

• Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders; MLS) – 90 minutes in 1-1 draw at Minnesota United (Aug. 27)

• Yunus Musah (AC Milan; Italy Serie A) – 24 minutes as a substitute in 4-1 win vs. Torino (Aug. 26); Suspended, DNP in 2-0 win at Bologna (Aug. 21)

• Jalen Neal (LA Galaxy; MLS) – Not in 18, DNP in 3-0 win vs. Chicago Fire (Aug. 26)

• Erik Palmer-Brown (Panathinaikos; Greek Super League) – 20 minutes as a substitute in 3-0 win vs. Volos NFC (Aug. 26); Not in 18, DNP in 2-1 loss at Sporting Braga in UCL qualifier (Aug. 23)

• Kevin Paredes (Wolfsburg; Bundesliga) – In 18, DNP in 2-1 win at Köln (Aug. 26)

• Jordan Pefok (Union Berlin; Bundesliga) – 26 minutes as a substitute in 4-1 win at Darmstadt (Aug. 26)

• Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven; Dutch Eredivisie) – In 18, DNP in 2-2 draw at Rangers in UCL qualifier (Aug. 22)

• Christian Pulisic (AC Milan; Italy Serie A) – 90 minutes, GOAL, in 4-1 win vs. Torino (Aug. 26); 73 minutes, GOAL, in 2-0 win at Bologna (Aug. 21)

• Tim Ream (Fulham; English Premier League) – Suspended, DNP in 2-2 draw at Arsenal (Aug. 26)

• Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund; Bundesliga) – Injured, DNP in 1-1 draw at Bochum (Aug. 26)

• Bryan Reynolds (Westerlo; Belgian Pro League) – 90 minutes in 3-2 loss vs. Mechelen (Aug. 26)

• Chris Richards (Crystal Palace; English Premier League) – In 18, DNP in 1-1 at Brentford (Aug. 26); In 18, DNP in 1-0 loss vs. Arsenal (Aug. 21)

• Antonee Robinson (Fulham; English Premier League) – 90 minutes in 2-2 draw at Arsenal (Aug. 26)

• Miles Robinson (Atlanta United; MLS) – 90 minutes, GOAL, in 4-0 win vs. Nashville SC (Aug. 26)

• James Sands (New York City FC; MLS) – Injured, DNP in 3-0 loss at FC Cincinnati (Aug. 26)

• Josh Sargent (Norwich City; English Championship)  – 14 minutes, GOAL, came off injured in 4-0 win at Huddersfield Town (Aug. 26)

• Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach; Bundesliga) – 90 minutes in 3-0 loss vs. Bayer Leverkusen (Aug. 26)

• Gaga Slonina (Eupen; Belgian Pro League) – 90 minutes in 3-1 win vs. OH Leuven (Aug. 26)

• Tanner Tessmann (Venezia; Italy Serie B) – 90 minutes in 1-1 draw vs. Cosenza (Aug. 26)

• Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven; Dutch Eredivisie) – In 18, DNP in 2-2 draw at Rangers in UCL qualifier (Aug. 22)

• Timmy Tillman (Los Angeles FC; MLS) – 63 minutes in 2-1 loss at Charlotte FC (Aug. 26); 45 minutes in 4-0 win vs. Colorado Rapids (Aug. 23)

• John Tolkin (New York Red Bulls; MLS) – 90 minutes in 2-0 loss vs. Inter Miami CF (Aug. 26)

• Auston Trusty (Sheffield; English Championship) – In 18, DNP in 2-1 loss vs. Manchester City (Aug. 26)

• Matt Turner (Nottingham Forest; English Premier League) – 90 minutes in 3-2 loss at Manchester United (Aug. 26)

• Brandon Vazquez (FC Cincinnati; MLS) – 90 minutes in 3-0 win vs. New York City FC (Aug. 26); 78 minutes, GOAL, in 3-3 draw vs. Inter Miami CF (lost in PKs, 5-4) (Aug. 23)

• Tim Weah (Juventus; Italy Serie A) – 82 minutes in 1-1 draw vs. Bologna (Aug. 27)

• Caleb Wiley (Atlanta United; MLS – 77 minutes in 4-0 win vs. Nashville SC (Aug. 26)

• Haji Wright (Coventry City; English Premier League) – 20 minutes as a substitute in 0-0 draw vs. Sunderland (Aug. 26)

• Brandon Vazquez (FC Cincinnati; MLS) – 90 minutes in 3-0 win vs. New York City FC (Aug. 26); 78 minutes, GOAL, in 3-3 draw vs. Inter Miami CF (lost in PKs, 5-4) (Aug. 23)

• DeAndre Yedlin (Inter Miami CF; MLS) – 30 minutes as a substitute in 2-0 win at New York Red Bulls (Aug. 26); 58 minutes in 3-3 draw at FC Cincinnati (5-4 shootout win) in Open Cup (Aug. 23)

• Alex Zendejas (Club America; Liga MX) – 72 minutes in 1-1 draw vs. Leon (Aug. 26); 87 minutes, TWO ASSISTS, in 3-2 win vs. Necaxa (Aug. 23)

• Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC; MLS) Injured, DNP in 4-0 loss at Atlanta United (Aug. 26)