da marjack bet: GOAL takes a look at the situation in Italy, a country that has seen several young Americans arrive this summer
da aposte e ganhe: Over the past few years, the rising stars of the U.S. men's national team have been making their mark all over Europe. These young Americans have reached heights that their predecessors couldn't have even dreamed of, winning top trophies and competing in the world's top leagues.
This summer, though, several of the USMNT's key players were on the move. Club situations quickly change, although for some it wasn't quick enough. Coincidentally, and somewhat surprisingly, several of those players landed in a country that has been somewhat foreign to USMNT stars down the years: Italy.
Ladies and gentlemen of America, welcome to the US-erie-A!
Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah, Weston McKennie and Yunus Musah will play for two of the country's most historic clubs this season as each look to continue their development on the road to the 2026 World Cup. And there's a chance that, by the end of this campaign, they won't be the only USMNT stars calling Serie A home.
So what's the deal heading into the 2023-24 season? GOAL has you covered…
GettyChristian Pulisic – AC Milan
It's been several years since we've seen the best version of Pulisic at club level. We've seen that version plenty of times with the USMNT but, with Chelsea, it was never on display consistently.
AC Milan, though, provide Pulisic with several things he hadn't had at Stamford Bridge for some time: confidence, stability and, most importantly, a little bit of hope.
Pulisic looks set to play a key role for Milan this season; that's why they brought him in, after all. The cynic would say that Milan see dollar signs off the field thanks to Pulisic's marketability, but the soccer minds in charge at San Siro see dollar signs on the field thanks to Pulisic's ability.
He's able to start on the left, right or centrally and already has a strong partnership with former team-mate and longtime friend Olivier Giroud. With Rafael Leao a fixture on the left, Pulisic is more likely to start as a No.10, replacing the departed Brahim Diaz, or on the right if Stefano Pioli doesn't turn to new signing Samuel Chukwueze.
For Pulisic, though, this move is key. He's joined another mega-club after falling out of favor at his previous one. The chaos at Chelsea gave him some deniability when it comes to his struggles, but he won't get the benefit of the doubt at Milan.
The Serie A giants, though, are seemingly a good home for Pulisic, who will look to help Milan return to the top of the league after winning the Scudetto two seasons ago.
AdvertisementGettyYunus Musah – AC Milan
The other American at Milan, Musah made the decision to finally leave struggling Valencia this summer. He spent parts of his childhood in Italy, so there won't be much of an adjustment period off the field, but on the field, there's much to learn.
Musah, despite his status as a starter with the USMNT, is still a fairly raw prospect. He's very good, as evidenced by his performances at the World Cup, but there's still plenty of refining to do.
Milan is the club tasked with that process, and they represent a team that is a step up from Valencia, but not an irresponsible one. There is a legitimate path to playing time for Musah, but it's far from guaranteed.
The club also signed Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Tijjani Reijnders this summer, while Tommas Pobega and Rade Krunic join the injured Ismael Bennacer as holdovers from the club. Milan, though, will be dealing with the loss of Sandro Tonali, which is has prompted this midfield rebuild.
Musah will be one piece of that rebuild, but he could become a key piece. As a No.8, he is already a fantastic ball-progressor who can start as a right-sided midfielder in a 4-3-3. He could also play as a No.6, although his defensive instincts are still being refined.
Unlike Pulisic, Musah may not jump right into Pioli's starting XI due to the other options in the midfield, but his development will definitely be key for both Milan and the USMNT in the years to come.
GettyTimothy Weah – Juventus
Juan Cuadrado is gone, Weah is in. There's very little mystery about what that'll mean.
Weah has been brought in to replace the Colombian, who ended a fairly legendary stint with the club this summer. That means Weah will take up a role at wingback – one that isn't that unfamiliar after last season.
The American played chunks of 2022-23 as a left and right wingback at Lille, looking more than comfortable in those spots. At the USMNT level, Weah remains a winger, at least for now, but that can obviously change depending on how he develops as a defender.
It'll be an interesting year for Juventus, who aren't in Europe thanks to their point deduction last season due to a now-infamous financial scandal. The focus this season will be rebuilding and retooling as the club looks to move into a new era after last season's frustrations.
Weah can be part of that new era as the 23-year-old American steps into the league his legendary father, George, became a star in.
GettyWeston McKennie – Juventus
McKennie's future is still somewhat uncertain, and it will be right up until the transfer window shuts. That's only natural after what happened last season.
Having fallen out of the picture at Juve, McKennie was loaned to Leeds for the second half of the 2022-23 campaign. What happened at Leeds was, to put it lightly, a disaster. McKennie will be glad his time there is over.
The question is what becomes of this next era. With Juventus lacking a bit financially, is this an opportunity for him to stay and prove his worth to the club? Or, at some point before the window closes, will Juve decide to cash in on a player that doesn't seem to really be part of the club's long-term plan?
Reports say that it'll be the former, as it seems Massimiliano Allegri could use McKennie in the midfield. This will be a big chance, then, for him to prove he can stay at this level.
If he doesn't remain, though, there'll be no shortage of suitors, as Aston Villa, Roma and Borussia Dortmund have all been linked. For McKennie, the start of the season is very much a case of 'wait and see'.