Pulisic is flying, Pepi keeps scoring, and Balogun is rolling again – while one USMNT midfielder may need a January reset. GOAL dives into Americans Abroad in this week’s Rondo.
Christian Pulisic is once again making Serie A look pretty easy on a weekly basis. Ricardo Pepi is scoring again. Weston McKennie is, once more, proving he can force his way into any lineup despite constant speculation over his future. For all the talk about MLS's influence in Mauricio Pochettino’s squad, the backbone of the USMNT is still built on players making their mark abroad – and right now, a lot of them are trending upward.
That matters, because a pretty significant moment just dropped for this group: the World Cup draw. And while the event itself was chaotic, the outcome was anything but. If things break the way they should, the U.S. landed in a remarkably forgiving group – the kind that can set the stage for a real run in 2026.
So before the next camp arrives in four long months, there’s plenty for U.S. fans to feel good about.
GOAL takes a look at the state of Americans Abroad in another edition of….
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What have you made of Pulisic's recent performances?
Tom Hindle: Unreal, to be fair. The American is going off right now, and even if he isn't in the starting XI every week due to fitness issues, he has made a pretty compelling case to be the best player in Serie A at the moment. Now it's just a question of staying fit – which hasn't always been easy for him.
Ryan Tolmich: Elite level. There's no shying away from it at this point. Right now, there are few better wingers in the world than Pulisic, who continues to prove it regularly with AC Milan. The Italian media has pointed out that Pulisic is, in so many ways, underrated by the general public. They're right. At this moment, there aren't too many wingers in this form, and there certainly aren't many you'd swap for the USMNT star.
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Pulisic has under two years left on his Milan contract. Where's next for him?
TH: Hang tight and see what the club offers you. Pulisic is an immense talent, and probably has one last big European contract left in him. If he believes that Milan can pay him enough and get him in the big games, then there's no need to move. Otherwise, it might have to be somewhere else. Can't quite explain it, but this reeks of Tottenham. If not, welcome to Miami, Christian.
RT: Probably staying? There's little reason to step away from a good thing, although that thing may not be quite as good if Milan miss out on Europe again. At the moment, though, that doesn't seem likely so with Milan, one of the biggest brands in the world, seemingly ready to contend in Serie A and currently leading the league. In other words: Why leave?
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Is McKennie starting to find form at Juventus?
TH: He's bagged a couple of goals, which is certainly a good thing. But for the 10 millionth time, what is his best position? Manager Luciano Spalletti seems to like him on the right(ish) of a front three, or as a marauding right-wing-back. Not so sure that's his best spot, but Pochettino's policy has been that if you're getting minutes you're in the team. No complaints, for now.
RT: Death, taxes, and McKennie figuring it all out. All are certainties, and no matter how much things seem to be stacked against the USMNT midfielder, he always plays his way out of it. He's been very good for Juventus recently, but, as is typical for him, there is always this looming possibility of things changing – especially with his contract up this season. When he is empowered and in control of his own fate, though, McKennie tends to step up.
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Who has impressed you the most in the last few weeks?
TH: Folarin Balogun. He's shaken off the red card of a few weeks ago and is in fine form for Monaco. Hitting 20 goals this season seems well within reach, which would do the USMNT just fine.
RT: There are contenders, but let's say Ricardo Pepi. When he was starting for PSV last season, he scored. Off the bench this season, he scored. And now, of course, he's starting again and scoring some more. He has three goals in his last three outings and one assist over that span. He also created a goal in PSV's 4-1 trouncing of Liverpool. His injury allowed Balogun to step in and make his USMNT statement, but Pepi is making his own on the club level.
