Winger Delivered Corner Kick to Help Double AC Milan’s Lead in the Victory over Udinese
Christian Pulisic played a decisive role in AC Milan's commanding 4-0 win over Udinese despite not scoring himself. The American winger was particularly influential in the crucial first half when Milan gained control of the match, delivering an excellent corner kick that led to Strahinja Pavlovic's header just before halftime—a goal that put Milan up 2-0 and effectively changed the complexion of the game.
Statistics highlight Pulisic's creative influence throughout the 90 minutes. He created a match-leading four scoring chances and delivered six corners. However, his passing accuracy was moderate at 74% (17/23 completed).
Pulisic's performance wasn't without struggles—he lost six duels (the most in the match) and failed to complete either of his two attempted dribbles. Despite these challenges, his set-piece delivery proved crucial in breaking down Udinese's defense.
The victory represents a significant turning point for Milan, who had been struggling with poor results before this match. Coach Sergio Conceicao's tactical shift to a 3-4-3 formation ultimately paid dividends, with Pulisic adapting effectively to help deliver Milan's first clean sheet since February.
Robinson-Adams Play Against Each Other in the Premier League
Monday night's Premier League clash between Fulham and Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium will feature two key American internationals expected to play pivotal roles for the USMNT in the upcoming Gold Cup and 2026 World Cup.
Tyler Adams, Bournemouth's midfield dynamo, has made a significant impact since returning from back surgery in October, registering three assists in 13 starts and earning the club's Player of the Month honors in February. The 26-year-old New York native has established himself as a cornerstone in Andoni Iraola's squad despite their recent six-game winless streak in the league.
For Fulham, Antonee Robinson continues to cement his reputation as one of the Premier League's most dynamic left-backs. His tireless running and defensive prowess were on full display in Fulham's stunning 3-2 victory over title challengers Liverpool.
Both Americans figure prominently in Mauricio Pochettino's plans for the national team, with Adams serving as captain during the 2022 World Cup and Robinson establishing himself as irreplaceable at left-back. Their Premier League experience will be vital as the USMNT looks to rebound from disappointing performances in the Nations League.
Fulham manager Marco Silva expects a competitive match against Bournemouth, noting that previous encounters have been "tight, competitive and open games with goals." The Cottagers sit eighth in the table, three points ahead of Bournemouth, and pushing for European qualification.
Bournemouth's form has dipped recently, with the Cherries facing late fitness decisions on key attacking players including Justin Kluivert, who has 13 goals and eight assists this season. Iraola described Bournemouth's approach as "very physical with man-on-man marking" that makes it difficult for opponents.
US Faces Favorable Gold Cup Draw as Pressure Mounts for Pochettino
The United States men's national team has been drawn into Group D for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup. They'll face Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, and guest nation Saudi Arabia in what appears to be a manageable path to the knockout stages. The tournament, running from June 14 to July 6, represents a crucial opportunity for Mauricio Pochettino's squad to build momentum ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Following a disappointing fourth-place finish in the recent Nations League Finals, where the US suffered losses to Panama and Canada, this Gold Cup takes on heightened significance for Pochettino, who has faced early criticism after just eight matches in charge. The tournament presents unique challenges for Pochettino, as several key players will be unavailable due to their club's participation in the concurrent FIFA Club World Cup.
Mexico, the nine-time Gold Cup champions, headline Group A alongside Costa Rica, Suriname, and the Dominican Republic. Canada, which defeated the US in the Nations League third-place match, will compete in Group B with Honduras, El Salvador, and Curacao. Panama, which eliminated the US in last month's Nations League semifinal, anchors Group C with Jamaica, Guatemala, and Guadeloupe.
The quarterfinals will be June 28-29, the semifinals on July 2 and the final on July 6 at NRG Stadium in Houston. As co-hosts of the upcoming 2026 World Cup, the US desperately needs to reassert regional dominance and silence growing skepticism about the team's direction under Pochettino.
"We need to turn it around and we can hopefully build some momentum this summer," Pulisic acknowledged following the Nations League disappointment. With just over a year until the World Cup, this Gold Cup represents perhaps Pochettino's last opportunity to evaluate his squad in a competitive tournament environment before soccer's global showcase arrives on American soil.
Gio Reyna's career at Borussia Dortmund appears to be coming to an unceremonious end. The 22-year-old attacking midfielder has struggled to fulfill the lofty expectations placed upon him, with Dortmund reportedly instructing him to seek opportunities elsewhere as his contract enters its final year.
This season has been particularly challenging for the US international, who has accumulated just 568 minutes across 22 appearances in all competitions. More tellingly, Reyna hasn't featured in a Bundesliga match since early March, signaling his peripheral role in the squad. He came off the bench for 22 minutes in Dormund's most recent match—a 4-0 defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League.
The decline in Reyna's market value tells a sobering story. Once valued at over €44 million in 2021, according to Transfermarkt, his current market value has plummeted to approximately €10 million, reflecting his diminished standing in European football.
Reyna's USMNT prospects have similarly dimmed under Mauricio Pochettino's management. During March's Concacaf Nations League matches, he was unused against Panama and only featured as a late substitute in the third-place match against Canada. All this after being named CONCACAF Nations League Player of the Tournament last year.
As the 2026 World Cup approaches – set to be hosted in North America – Reyna faces a critical juncture in his career. Whether he pursues opportunities in Europe's top leagues or considers a return to MLS, his next move will be crucial in determining whether he can recapture the form that once made him one of soccer's most exciting young talents.
After Missing Both Matches Last Week, Defender Ready Ahead of Manchester City Clash
Crystal Palace have received a significant defensive boost ahead of their challenging trip to Manchester City this Saturday. American international Chris Richards has been confirmed as available for selection after recovering from a calf issue. The 24-year-old center-back has missed Palace's last two Premier League outings against Southampton and Brighton. Still, manager Oliver Glasner delivered the positive news in his pre-match press conference ahead of the 12:30 BST kickoff at the Etihad Stadium.
"Chris has done well. He has been training since Wednesday. He has no problems anymore, so he will be available," Glasner confirmed, much to the relief of Palace supporters who have seen Richards establish himself as a key defensive pillar this season.
Richards' return is crucial for the Eagles, who face the daunting task of containing Manchester City's formidable attacking talents. When he missed the Southampton match, his absence was initially described as a "minor calf issue," Glasner explained it stemmed from fatigue following international duty with the United States.
The defender has enjoyed an impressive campaign under Glasner, starting 15 of his 17 Premier League appearances and featuring prominently in Palace's FA Cup run with four starts.
Despite these absences, Richards' return strengthens a Palace side that has shown impressive form recently, winning five of their last six matches across all competitions. Currently sitting just two points from the Premier League's top half with an FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa on the horizon, the Eagles will hope Richards can help them maintain their momentum against the champions on Saturday.
On This Day in 2013, Despite Scoring Twice in the Second Leg, Dempsey and Tottenham Were Eliminated on Aggregate
When Dempsey arrived at Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2012, he carried with him the promise of a transformative player—the first American to appear in a Europa League Final. His early season performances validated the faith placed in him, scoring a dramatic winner against Manchester United at Old Trafford and consistently finding the back of the net in crucial moments. His journey from the rough-and-tumble fields of Texas to the pristine stadiums of European football was a narrative of persistent defiance.
By the spring of 2013, Tottenham found itself in a delicate position. The Premier League top-four race was intensely competitive, and their Europa League campaign represented their last meaningful chance for silverware. Injuries to key players like Gareth Bale and Sandro had tested the squad's depth and resolve. The second leg in Basel epitomized Tottenham's roller-coaster season. From the moment the match began, everything seemed stacked against them. Without an away win in the competition and facing a Basel side riding a wave of confidence, Spurs looked vulnerable in the April 11 match.
Dempsey, however, refused to accept defeat. He capitalized on a defensive error in the first half, rounding goalkeeper Yann Sommer to give Tottenham an unexpected lead. The goal was vintage Dempsey—opportunistic and fearless. But the advantage lasted mere minutes before Mohamed Salah equalized, and Aleksandar Dragovic's second-half goal seemed to seal Tottenham's European elimination.
With eight minutes remaining and elimination imminent, Dempsey struck again. He received a sublime pass from substitute Tom Huddlestone and directed a shot past Sommer, sending the match into extra time. His brace—two goals of pure determination—momentarily resurrected Tottenham's European hopes. Yet fate would not be kind. After a tense extra time that saw Jan Vertonghen's red card, Basel won the penalty shootout, ending Tottenham's Europa League journey. Dempsey's heroics, while remarkable, could not complete the impossible comeback.
"We have to make sure we finish in the top four and we're in the Champions League next year," Dempsey reflected. "That's the only thing we can do to salvage this season and say we had a good year."
Despite the defeat, Tottenham remained focused at the task at-hand—finishing in the top four in the Premier League. Dempsey would score his next match in the league, netting the equalizer in a 3-1 win over Manchester City on April 22. That win as the third result in eight-match unbeaten run to close out the season, but Tottenham never caught Arsenal in fourth and had to settle for fifth place and another Europa League spot.
That summer, he would score two crucial goals against Germany, surpassing Eric Wynalda to become the second-highest goalscorer in United States men's soccer history—a fitting testament to a player who never knew when to stop fighting. For Clint Dempsey, Basel was not a defeat but another step in an ongoing story of defiance—a narrative written not in the comfortable spaces of expectation but in the margins where the true sporting spirit is forged.
