Christian Pulisic enjoyed a massive few days for his club as one several American players that took part in European competition last week. Pulisic made a bit of history alongside Weston McKennie on Tuesday, before igniting AC Milan to a win over its archrivals on the weekend.
Elsewhere in Europe, Malik Tillman bagged a weekend brace for PSV, while Gianluca Busio and Folarin Balogun also found the net.
Domestically, Jordan Morris, Djordje Mihailovic, James Sands and Jesús Ferreira also found the net with for their teams.
Brendan Aaronson, Jordan Pefok and Brandon Vazquez chipped in with assists, and goalkeepers Patrick Schulte and Sean Johnson recorded clean sheets.
A UNIQUE HISTORIC DOUBLE
Onn Tuesday, Sept. 17, Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie became the first USMNT players to score on the same day in the UEFA Champions League.
Pulisic, who celebrated his 26th birthday a day early, tallied AC Milan’s early opening goal in its 3-1 loss to Liverpool. His score came shortly after McKennie scored Juventus’ second goal during a 3-1 win over PSV Eindhoven in an earlier contest.
McKennie doubled the hosts’ lead in the 27th minute. Nicolas Gonzalez raced into the PSV box before a deflection fell to the feet of McKennie, who buried his first goal of the season in his first start for Juve.
The San Siro game was less than three minutes old when Pulisic played a one-two with Álvaro Morata and burst down the right side before drilling a shot into the far bottom corner. Pulisic has made a flying start to the Serie A season as well, with two goals and two assists in Milan’s four opening matches.
Three other USMNT players also performed on the opening day of the revamped Champions League, with Ricardo Pepi, Malik Tillman and Richie Ledezma all competing for PSV.
BESTING HIS RIVALS
Pulisic capped a memorable week for AC Milan on Sunday, Sept. 22. He struck for the opening goal of Milan’s 2-1 win in Italy’s Serie A over archrival Inter in the San Siro Derby in spectacular fashion. The victory snapped the Rossoneri’s six-game losing streak against Inter.
Pulisic intercepted a pass in Inter’s half and raced toward Yann Sommer’s goal in the 10th minute. He bolted past defenders Francesco Acerbi and Benjamin Pavard before tapping the ball past goalkeeper Yann Sommer for his third goal of the Serie A campaign and fourth overall. He has scored in four successive matches for club and country against Inter, Liverpool, Venezia and New Zealand (in the USA’s 1-1 draw with New Zealand earlier this month).
DOUBLING HIS PLEASURE
Midfielder Malik Tillman scored on either side of halftime to power PSV Eindhoven to a 3-1 triumph at Fortuna Sittard in the Dutch Eredivisie on Sunday, Sept. 22. Tillman solved goalkeeper Mattijs Branderhorst in the 16th and 68th minutes, the second tally snapping a 1-1 tie. Tillman has four goals this campaign. Defending champion PSV (6-0-0, 18) leads the league, two points over AZ (5-0-1, 16).
SOME GOOD INSURANCE
Forward Folarin Balogun scored his first goal of the season to give Monaco some breathing room in its 3-1 home victory over Le Havre in French Ligue 1 on Sunday, Sept. 22. George Ilenikhena set up Balogun for his 70th-minute goal for the final tally of the match, against goalie Arthur Desmas. Balogun also played the final 21 minutes of Monaco's 2-1 win over Barcelona at home in the UEFA Champions League on Thursday, Sept. 19. Monaco (4-0-1, 13) sits in second place, trailing Marseille due to goal differential.
CELEBRATING HIS MILESTONE
Midfielder Gianluca Busio celebrated his 100th appearance for Venezia with the winning goal in a 2-0 victory over Genoa, the team's first victory of the Serie A season on Saturday, Sept. 21. He lifted the host into a 1-0 lead by scoring into the bottom right corner of the net past goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini in the 63rd minute for his first goal of the campaign. Venezia (1-3-1, 4) sits in 17th place.
BRACE FOR IT
Forward Jordan Morris was named to Major League Soccer's Team of the Matchday (Week 33) after securing a brace in the Seattle Sounders' 2-2 home draw with the San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday, Sept. 18. The veteran striker struck twice in the opening half. He scored the equalizer in the 21st minute, who half-volleyed a deflected ball past keeper Daniel into the net. He lifted Seattle into a 2-1 lead, burying a Paul Rothrock right-wing cross in the 39th minute. Morris has 13 goals for the Sounders (13-9-6, 45), who are in sixth place in the Western Conference.
AT DEATH'S DOOR
Defensive midfielder James Sands could not have picked a better time to score his first MLS goal. With New York City FC desperately needing a goal to equalize against heavily favored Inter Miami CF on Saturday, Sept. 17, Sands headed home Santiago Rodriguez’s corner kick five minutes into stoppage time. About a minute later, the game was whistled over and the Cityzens had secured a dramatic 1-1 draw with the Supporters’ Shields likely winners, in front of 44,378 spectators at Yankee Stadium. NYCFC (11-11-8, 41) has dropped to seventh place in the MLS Eastern Conference.
CLINCHING A PLAYOFF BERTH
Djordje Mihailovic helped the Colorado Rapids clinch an MLS Cup Playoff berth, connecting for a goal in a 2-0 home victory over Toronto FC on Saturday, Sept. 21. Mihailovic converted a penalty kick in the 90th minute past goalkeeper Sean Johnson. It was Mihailovic’s 24th goal contribution, breaking the team's season record that Diego Rubio set in 2022. The 25-year-old also extended his single-season career high to 11 goals. Colorado (15-10-5, 50) sits in third place in the Western Conference.
ONE OF EACH
Jesús Ferreira helped to produce goals in each of FC Dallas' games last week. He scored a minute into first-half stoppage time in its 3-2 defeat at Real Salt Lake on Wednesday, Sept. 18. He assisted on Logan Farrington's 62nd-minute tally, which gave Dallas a three-goal advantage in the 3-1 home win over Los Angeles FC on Saturday, Sept. 21. Ferreira has five goals and six assists for Dallas (10-13-7, 37), which is in 10th place in the MLS Western Conference, five points out of the last playoff spot.
HELPING OUT
Four other USMNT players set up goals for their teams in victories:
-- Brenden Aaronson assisted on Joël Mohammed Piroe's 87th-minute goal in Leeds United's 2-0 win at Cardiff City in the English Championship on Saturday, Sept. 21.
-- Jordan Pefok set up Tom Rothe's goal four minutes after the opening kickoff, to start Union Berlin to a 2-1 home win over Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga on Saturday, Sept. 21.
-- New York Red Bulls left back John Tolkin recorded an assist in a 2-2 home draw with Atlanta United on Saturday, Sept. 21.
-- Brandon Vazquez helped start Monterrey to a 3-2 victory over Juarez at home, assisting on German Berterame's 11th minute goal in the MX Liga match.
KEEPING IT CLEAN
Columbus Crew goalkeeper Patrick Schulte chalked up his 10th shutout of the campaign in a 2-0 win at Toronto FC on Wednesday, Sept. 18. He was called on to make one save.
Colorado Rapids' Zack Steffen registered his sixth shutout of the season in a 2-0 home triumph over Toronto FC on Saturday, Sept. 21. Steffen produced two saves.
FULL RUNDOWN
-- Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United; English Championship) - 90 minutes, ASSIST, in 2-0 win at Cardiff City (Sept. 21)
-- Paxten Aaronson (Utrecht; Dutch Eredivisie) - 1 minute as a substitute in 3-2 win vs. Willem II (Sept. 21)
-- Kellyn Acosta (Chicago Fire; MLS) - 17 minutes as a substitute in 2-0 loss at Montreal CF (Sept. 21); 45 minutes in 1-0 loss at Nashville SC (Sept. 18)
-- Tyler Adams (AFC Bournemouth; English Premier League) – Injured, DNP in 3-0 loss at Liverpool (Sept. 21)
-- Folarin Balogun (Monaco; French Ligue 1) – 90 minutes, GOAL, in 3-1 win vs. Le Havre (Sept. 22); 21 minutes as a substitute in 2-1 win vs. Barcelona in UCL (Sept. 19)
-- Taylor Booth (Utrecht; Dutch Eredivisie) - In 18, DNP in 3-2 win vs. Willem II (Sept. 21)
-- Gianluca Busio (Venezia; Italian Serie A) – 90 minutes, GOAL, in 2-0 win vs. Genoa (Sept. 21)
-- Drake Callender (Inter Miami CF; MLS) - 90 minutes in 1-1 draw at New York City FC (Sept. 21); 90 minutes in 2-2 draw at Atlanta United (Sept. 18)
-- Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis; Spain La Liga) - Vs. Mallorca (Monday, 3 p.m. ET); Injured, DNP in 2-1 win vs. Getafe (Sept. 18)
-- Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic; Scottish Premiership) - Not in 18, DNP in 5-2 win vs. Falkirk in League Cup (Sept. 22): 85 minutes in 5-2 win vs. Slovan Bratislava in UCL (Sept. 19)
-- Cade Cowell (Guadalajara; Liga MX) - Injured, DNP in 1-0 win at Cruz Azul (Sept. 21); Injured, DNP in 2-0 win vs. Leon (Sept. 18)
-- Ben Cremaschi (Inter Miami CF; MLS) - 9 minutes as a substitute in 1-1 draw at New York City FC (Sept. 21); 90 minutes in 2-2 draw at Atlanta United (Sept. 18)
-- Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven; Dutch Eredivisie) - Injured, DNP in 3-1 win at Fortuna Sittard (Sept. 22); Injured, DNP in 3-1 loss at Juventus in UCL (Sept. 17)
-- Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo, Spain La Liga) - Injured, DNP in 3-1 loss at Athletic Bilbao (Sept. 22)
-- Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas; MLS) - 90 minutes, ASSIST, in 3-1 win vs. Los Angeles FC (Sept. 21); 81 minutes, GOAL, in 3-2 loss at Real Salt Lake (Sept. 18)
-- Marlon Fossey (Standard Liege; Belgian Pro League) - 74 minutes in 0-0 draw vs. Union Saint-Gilloise (Sept. 20)
-- Julian Gressel (Inter Miami CF; MLS) - 81 minutes in 1-1 draw at New York City FC (Sept. 21); 61 minutes in 2-2 draw at Atlanta United (Sept. 18)
-- Ethan Horvath (Cardiff City; Championship) - In 18, DNP in 2-0 loss vs. Leeds United (Sept. 21)
-- Sean Johnson (Toronto FC; MLS) - 90 minutes in 2-0 loss at Colorado Rapids (Sept. 21); 90 minutes in 2-0 loss vs. Columbus Crew (Sept. 18)
-- DeJuan Jones (Columbus Crew; MLS) – Not in 18, DNP n 4-3 win vs. Orlando City SC (Sept. 21); 66 minutes in 2-0 win at Toronto FC (Sept. 18)
-- Richy Ledezma (PSV Eindhoven; Dutch Eredivisie) - Not in 18, DNP in 3-1 win at Fortuna Sittard (Sept. 22); 86 minutes in 3-1 loss at Juventus in UCL (Sept. 17)
-- Kristoffer Lund (Palmero; Italy Serie B) - Not in 18, DNP in 0-0 draw vs. Cesena (Sept. 21)
-- Lennard Maloney (Heidenheim; Bundesliga) - 71 minutes in 3-0 loss vs. Freiburg (Sept. 21)
-- Weston McKennie (Juventus; Italy Serie A) - 80 minutes in 0-0 draw vs. Napoli (Sept. 21); 75 minutes, GOAL, in 3-1 win vs. PSV Eindhoven in UCL (Sept. 17)
-- Mark McKenzie (Toulouse; French Ligue 1) - Not in 18, DNP in 2-0 loss at Brest (Sept. 22)
-- Djordje Mihailovic (Colorado Rapids; MLS) - 90 minutes, GOAL, in 2-0 win vs. Toronto FC (Sept. 21); 90 minutes in 4-1 loss at Sporting Kansas City (Sept. 18)
- Shaq Moore (Nashville SC; MLS) - 3 minutes as a substitute in 2-2 draw vs. FC Cincinnati (Sept. 21); 90 minutes in 1-0 win vs. Chicago Fire (Sept. 18)
-- Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough; Championship) - 90 minutes in 1-0 loss at Sunderland (Sept. 21)
-- Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders; MLS) - 90 minutes, TWO GOALS, in 2-2 draw vs. San Jose Earthquakes (Sept. 18)
-- Yunus Musah (A.C. Milan; Italy Serie A) - In 18, DNP in 2-1 win at Inter (Sept. 22); In 18, DNP in 3-1 loss vs. Liverpool in UCL (Sept. 17)
-- Jalen Neal (LA Galaxy; MLS) – In 18, DNP in 4-2 win vs. Vancouver Whitecaps (Sept. 21); 85 minutes in 4-2 loss at Portland Timbers (Sept. 18)
-- Erik Palmer-Brown (Panathinaikos; Greek Super League) - Not in 18, DNP in 3-1 win vs. Panserraikos (Sept. 22)
-- Kevin Paredes (Wolfsburg; Bundesliga) - Injured, DNP in 4-3 loss at Bayer Leverkusen (Sept. 22)
-- Jordan Pefok (Union Berlin; Bundesliga) - 45 minutes, ASSIST, in 2-1 win vs. Hoffenheim (Sept. 21)
-- Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven; Dutch Eredivisie) - 10 minutes as a substitute in 3-1 win at Fortuna Sittard (Sept. 22); 13 minutes as a substitute in 3-1 loss at Juventus in UCL (Sept. 17)
-- Christian Pulisic (A.C. Milan; Italy Serie A) - 78 minutes, GOAL, in 2-1 win at Inter (Sept. 22); 90 minutes, GOAL, in 3-1 loss vs. Liverpool in UCL (Sept. 17)
-- Tim Ream (Charlotte FC; MLS) - 90 minutes in 4-0 win vs. New England Revolution (Sept. 21); 90 minutes in 2-0 loss at Orlando City SC (Sept. 18)
-- Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund; Bundesliga) - Injured, DNP in 5-1 loss at Stuttgart (Sept. 22); Injured, DNP in 3-0 win at Club Brugge in UCL (Sept. 18)
-- Bryan Reynolds (Westerlo; Belgian Pro League) - 80 minutes in 2-1 loss vs. Antwerp (Sept. 21)
-- Chris Richards (Crystal Palace; English Premier League) - 90 minutes in 0-0 draw vs. Manchester United (Sept. 21); 90 minutes in 2-1 win at Queens Park Rangers in Carabao Cup (Sept. 17)
-- Antonee Robinson (Fulham; English Premier League) - 90 minutes in 3-1 win vs. Newcastle United (Sept. 21); Not in 18, DNP in 1-1 draw at Preston North End in Carabao Cup (Lost in PKs, 16-15) (Sept. 17)
-- Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati; MLS) - 90 minutes in 2-2 draw at Nashville Sc (Sept. 21); 90 minutes in 2-1 win at Minnesota United (Sept. 18)
-- James Sands (New York City FC; MLS) - 90 minutes, GOAL, in 1-1 draw vs. Inter Miami CF (Sept. 21): 90 minutes in 5-1 loss vs. Philadelphia Union (Sept. 18)
-- Josh Sargent (Norwich City; Championship) - 90 minutes in 4-1 win vs. Watford (Sept. 21)
-- Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach; Bundesliga) - 90 minutes in 2-0 loss at Eintracht Frankfurt (Sept. 21)
-- Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew; MLS) - 90 minutes in 4-3 win vs. Orlando City SC (Sept. 21); 90 minutes, SHUTOUT, in 2-0 win at Toronto FC (Sept. 18)
-- Gaga Slonina (Barnsley; English League One) - 90 minutes in 2-1 win at Burton Albion (Sept. 21); 90 minutes in 7-0 loss at Manchester United (Sept. 17)
-- Zack Steffen (Colorado Rapids; MLS) - 90 minutes, SHUTOUT, in 2-0 win vs. Toronto FC (Sept. 21); 90 minutes in 4-1 loss at Sporting Kansas City (Sept. 18)
-- Tanner Tessmann (Lyon; French Ligue 1) – In 18, DNP in 3-2 loss vs. Marseille (Sept. 22)
-- Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven; Dutch Eredivisie) - 90 minutes, TWO GOALS, in 3-1 win at Fortuna Sittard (Sept. 22); 90 minutes in 3-1 loss at Juventus in UCL (Sept. 17)
-- Timmy Tillman (Los Angeles FC; MLS) – 45 minutes in 3-1 loss at FC Dallas (Sept. 21); 14 minutes as a substitute in 1-1 draw vs. Austin FC (Sept. 18)
-- John Tolkin (New York Red Bulls; MLS) - 90 minutes, ASSIST, in 2-2 draw vs. Atlanta United (Sept. 21)
-- Auston Trusty (Celtic; Scottish Premiership) - 90 minutes in 5-2 win vs. Falkirk in League Cup (Sept. 22); 5 minutes as a substitute in 5-2 win vs. Slovan Bratislava in UCL (Sept. 19)
-- Matt Turner (Crystal Palace; English Premier League) - Not in 18, DNP in 0-0 draw vs. Manchester United (Sept. 21); 90 minutes in 2-1 win at Queens Park Rangers in Carabao Cup (Sept. 17)
-- Brandon Vazquez (Monterrey; Liga MX) – 53 minutes in 0-0 draw vs. Mazatlan (Sept. 21); 45 minutes, ASSIST, in 3-2 win vs. Juarez (Sept. 18)
-- Tim Weah (Juventus; Italy Serie A) - 45 minutes as a substitute in 0-0 draw vs. Napoli (Sept. 21); 21 minutes as a substitute in 3-1 win vs. PSV Eindhoven in UCL (Sept. 17)
-- Caleb Wiley (Strasbourg; French Ligue 1) - Injured, DNP in 3-3 draw at Lille (Sept. 21)
-- Haji Wright (Coventry City; Championship) - 45 minutes in 2-1 loss vs. Swansea City (Sept. 21); 71 minutes in 2-1 loss to Tottenham in Carabao Cup (Sept. 18)
-- DeAndre Yedlin (FC Cincinnati; MLS) - 34 minutes as a substitute in 2-2 draw at Nashville SC (Sept. 21); 68 minutes in 2-1 win at Minnesota United (Sept. 18)
-- Alejandro Zendejas (Club America; Liga MX) - 69 minutes in 1-1 draw at Necaxa (Sept. 21): 25 minutes as a substitute in 3-0 win vs. Atlas (Sept. 17)
-- Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC; MLS) - 90 minutes in 2-2 draw vs. FC Cincinnati (Sept. 21);90 minutes in 1-0 win vs. Chicago Fire (Sept. 18)
