Christian Pulisic has been on fire in Serie A this season.
The USMNT star was impressive again this weekend, providing the assist for Samuel Chukwueze’s goal in AC Milan‘s 1-0 win against Udinese at the San Siro.
Pulisic has starred for AC Milan in Serie A this seasonGetty
Milan played much of the game with 10 men after Tijjani Reijnders’ first-half red card, and at full-time, it was Pulisic who came in for praise from manager Paulo Fonseca.
“Christian’s game was fantastic,” the Portuguese boss said, praising the 26-year-old more well known for his attacking skills for the defensive work that helped Milan hold on for the victory.
“This is the spirit that we must always have.”
The assist for Chukwueze’s winner was the American’s 11th goal contribution in 13 games for club and country this season – and it also saw him beat stars from the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Ligue 1 and Serie A to an impressive achievement.
Pulisic has become the first player to record a goal contribution in seven consecutive league matches in the top five European leagues this season.
He scored his first Serie A goal of the season against Parma on 24 August and has since found the net in fixtures against Venezia, Inter, Lecce and Fiorentina, while registering assists against Lazio and Udinese.
There’s no doubt that “Captain America” has been firing on all cylinders for his club, and that could in part be thanks to new national coach Mauricio Pochettino.
Pulisic was released from the USMNT early as last week’s international break drew to a close, returning to Milan instead of featuring in a friendly against Mexico.
Pochettino suggested that Pulisic arrived to camp “a little bit tired” and allowed him to join back up with his club ahead of the resumption of domestic football in Italy over the weekend.
While it seems reasonable to rest the star for a friendly, Pochettino’s decision was slammed by USMNT legend Alexi Lalas.
Pulisic has become the first player in Europe’s top 5 leagues to reach an impressive milestone
“Load management can kiss my a**! It should hurt you as a player,” Lalas told his State of the Union podcast.
“You should want to have been on this field to play Mexico, whether it’s in Guadalajara, whether it’s in Los Angeles, whether it’s in Columbus.
“Whether it’s on the freaking moon, you should want to move heaven and earth to be involved in a game as a US men’s national team player against El Tri.
“Anywhere, anytime. Bring it. One leg, I don’t care – you want to be involved. And if you don’t want to be involved and if you just brush it off, there is something wrong.
“There is something wrong with you, and there is something wrong with the programme.”
Lalas’ outburst came after the US were beaten 2-0 by Mexico, with Raul Jimenez and Cesar Huerta netting the goals.
