GOAL analyzes the weekend for the USMNT's biggest stars across European competition
It's a pretty big week. The transfer window slams shut on Friday. The international break is right around the corner. And, just a few games into the European season, the U.S. men's national team's biggest stars are setting the tone for what this season is going to look like.
For some, the season started hot. There have been goals. Plenty of them. Christian Pulisic got one this week. He certainly wasn't alone. From superstars to fringe players, there has been no shortage of big moments in just these first two weeks.
In some ways, it's been a tale of extremes. While several Americans are dominating early, others find themselves glued to the bench. Given where we are in the summer, that's concerning for some key players. Time is running out for a big change.
Much may change over the next few days and, for some, so much will have to if they want to remain in the USMNT picture. For many, this week might just define what the next few years could look like.
Let's see where all of the pieces end up. GOAL takes a look at the most significant takeaways from Americans Abroad over the weekend.
GettyTough start for Milan, big goal for Captain America
It's all been a mess so far at Milan. A draw with Torino was followed by a loss to newly-promoted Parma. These are supposed to be gimmes for title contenders. Milan clearly isn't that.
Christian Pulisic made his mark, though, scoring a goal that put him in the history books.
With his goal in the 2-1 loss to Parma, Pulisic became the first American to score in 10 different seasons in Europe's top five leagues. Of course, Pulisic still has plenty of time to add to that record int he years to come.
The goal wasn't outrageously special. Rafael Leao did most of the hard work, centering it to Pulisic and allowing him to simply turn it in. It was a case of right place, right time, but, hey, you take those, don't you?
Pulisic is coming off his best individual season, and this campaign is about proving that wasn't anything close to a fluke. The hope is that Pulisic takes an even bigger leap forward this season, becoming an even more dominant presence in the Milan attack.
Those around him are struggling mightily, but Pulisic has his goal, which is something positive to take from what has been a disastrous start for Milan.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesShould we be worried about Balogun?
Being benched as Monaco turned to a kid instead? Not ideal.
That's what happened with Balogun this past weekend, as Monaco earned a 2-0 win over Lyon. After a rough season opener, Balogun was relegated to the bench, with Moanco starting Breel Embolo up top with Eliesse Ben Seghir, Takumi Minamino and Maghnes Akliouche just behind.
That part's fine. A change in formation sometimes moves things around. What wasn't fine was that Adolph Hutter turned to 18-year-old forward George Ilenikhena to replace Embolo in the second half. Despite his ability to inject life into a game, as he did with the USMNT in Copa America, Balogun was passed over.
OK, so don't read into it too much. He was selected to start the first game, after all. However, it is worth keeping an eye on as Balogun's spot at Monaco is far from guaranteed.
That could end up being a good thing for a player who also faces a fight to remain the USMNT's starting No. 9. It's a big season for Balogun to now prove that he can be a major contributor at a club such as Monaco and for a national team like the U.S.
GettyChampionship, stand up
If you love American soccer and haven't been watching the Championship, boy, have you been missing out.
This week, it was headlined by Brenden Aaronson, who is proving the doubters wrong at Leeds. With his goal in a 2-0 win over Sheffield United, Aaronson now has two in three games, which is huge for the young American. After two difficult seasons at Leeds and Union Berlin, many wrote off Aaronson. But still just 23, Aaronson has something to say about that. Often criticized for his physical profile, Aaronson is scoring in the world's most physical league. It's a huge statement, for sure.
Know who else is making statement after statement? Josh Sargent. He also already has two goals this season, following up on a 16-goal breakout last season. We haven't seen a healthy, confident Sargent in a USMNT jersey, maybe ever? Could this finally be his chance to really make his mark for the national team?
Either way, among Aaronson, Sargent, Haji Wright, Auston Trusty, Ethan Horvath, Aidan Morris and, soon, Daryl Dike, it's worth keeping a close eye on England's second tier this season.
ImagoPSV goes nuclear
It was like a riff on the old Oprah meme. You get a goal! You get a goal! You get a goal!
By the time it was all said and done, PSV had cruised to a 7-1 win, and CONCACAF players had hands all over it.
Malik Tillman scored one. So, too, did Ricardo Pepi. Mexican international Hirving Lozano joined them on the scoresheet as well. Richy Ledezma, the young American midfielder-turned-fullback, must have felt left out as, despite completing 92 of his 97 passes, he somehow didn't even get an assist.
This is the what PSV can do to teams in the Eredivisie. They nearly went unbeaten last season and, based on this performance, they're out for more blood. This team is very good, and Americans are playing their part.
Tillman is a locked-in starter. Ledezma, surprisingly, is getting there based on these early-season performances. Pepi will need to prove himself more as he remains No. 2 behind Luuk de Jong but, for now, we'll just celebrate his goal. And then there's Sergino Dest, waiting in the wings as he continues his recovery.
Pepi's situation is the one drawback and that will need to get sorted. For now, though, it's fun just watching PSV go crazy against an overwhelmed opponent, particularly when it's a group of familiar faces leading the charge.