GOAL looks at the biggest storylines among Americans Abroad, including more Pulisic magic and a significant injury return
Not so long ago, it was all doom and gloom for some key U.S. internationals. Christian Pulisic's calf didn't work. Then his ankle didn't work. Tim Weah was out. Weston McKennie was stuck at left back. There was no fun to be found.
How things change! Pulisic is back, fit and in form once again – playing a key role as Milan claimed the Supercoppa Italia last week. Weah is also ready to produce again, and could be key for Juventus – albeit in expected limited minutes. Meanwhile Josh Sargent is poised to see the pitch for the first time in months for Norwich after sustaining a groin injury.
There's also good news for Leeds fans and Brenden Aaronson, with the American set to play a role for Daniel Farke's side against Harrogate Town – in a sign that the FA Cup is being taken seriously somewhere. GOAL looks ahead at some of the biggest storylines to follow among Americans Abroad this weekend.
AFPChristian Pulisic to return to Serie A form
Now it all gets real for Sergio Conceicao. The Milan manager enjoyed a vacation to the Middle East for his first two fixtures in charge, won two big games, and came back with Christian Pulisic's first piece of silverware since he moved to Italy. So far, so good. Welcome to reality, Sergio. Milan aren't bad in Serie A. But they aren't good, either. Eighth place is far short of where Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the ownership group would have wanted the club to be at this stage of the season.
Fortunately, things might be aligning at the right time. The obvious thing here is that Pulisic is back, fit and already looking in fine form. That he and Rafa Leao were both so impactful against Inter in the Supercoppa Italia final will be a massive encouragement. There are also the good vibes of a new manager here: cigars in dressing rooms, smiles for social media.
Everything looks good from the outside. thrown in a kind opponent in Cagliari, who have lost four of their last five, and this could be a high time for a turning point. That eight point gap to fourth place – with two games in hand – might shrink awfully quickly.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportWeston McKennie looks to break winless streak
Juventus remain a confusing football team. They are still the only Serie A club to remain undefeated. But they also have a league-high 11 draws. They have scored 15 goals in 18 games, and play some maddeningly turgid football at times.
This isn't really much fault of Weston McKennie. The USMNT midfielder does what he's told these days. He has gone from benchwarmer, to dynamic center midfielder, to reliable full back. But he did endure a pretty miserable showing in the Supercoppa Italia semi final against his national teammate Pulisic.
The winger ran circles around McKennie, who, for the first time, looked every bit a midfielder used out of position. His 4/11 ground duels won sum it all up. Eight days off might have done him some good. It better have, because there doesn't seem to be an end to his defensive tenure anytime soon. Juventus are frighteningly thin at the back, and McKennie will likely be deployed there again when they face Torino in a local derby. A win would be nice for Thiago Motta and co. The draws are getting boring, at this point.
Getty Images SportBrenden Aaronson sticks in the XI – right decision?
The FA Cup means something to Leeds. It's a refreshing sentiment, these days. The competition has lost its charm, big clubs ignoring the Cup in England with the richest history. Championship sides, too, are looking at it with increasing scorn. What was once a breeding ground for upsets has now become an advertisement for backups and underwhelming narrow victories.
Not for Daniel Farke. The Leeds manager promised that his side would take the competition seriously, and despite playing League 2 minnow Harrogate Town, pledged that Brenden Aaronson would feature for the Whites. Expectations will be high here.
Leeds have to win, especially at home. But in the first meeting ever between the two sides, maybe the magic of the cup will churn out a game to remember. Aaronson, pulling the strings and all, will have to ensure that he does his best to keep his team on the right side of history.
Getty Images SportJoe Scally and Bayern Munich
Bayern don't make things easy for opponents these days. Gone is the team that finished a tepid third in the Bundesliga last year under two different managers. Here they are now, led by Vincent Kompany, who has the Bavarians playing some scintillating stuff and firmly atop the table.
But Joe Scally's Borussia Monchengladbach aren't a bad side. They are well in the mix for a European spot, and have a good home record. The table seems set nicely, then, for an intriguing matchup between the two teams this weekend.
Scally, who has established himself as a starter under Mauricio Pochettino on the USMNT, will have to show he can do it against the electric Leroy Sane to give the Champions League hopefuls a chance.
