American Stars Shine as AC Milan Defeats Busio and Venezia in Serie A
Christian Pulisic continued his impressive season with AC Milan, scoring the opening goal in a 2-0 victory over Venezia at the Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo on Sunday. The American winger needed just five minutes to make his mark, converting a composed finish after being played through by Youssouf Fofana following good work from Alex Jimenez.
The goal was Pulisic's 10th in Serie A this season and his 16th across all competitions. It made him AC Milan's top scorer, surpassing midfielder Tijjani Reijnders. This also marked Pulisic's 50th goal involvement (goals and assists combined) since joining the Rossoneri.
Fellow American Gianluca Busio started in midfield for Venezia and played 63 minutes. Before the match, Busio revealed a friendly competition with his USMNT teammates, telling DAZN: "He's a great guy and player, everyone knows that. Also (Yunus) Musah. We are good friends, and we play together in the national team. We have a little bit of a personal bet against each other to win this game."
The third American involved, Musah, remained on the AC Milan bench throughout the match as coach Sergio Conceicao opted not to use him despite making several substitutions.
Venezia thought they had equalized in the 35th minute when Yeboah found the net, but VAR ruled the goal offside. Despite several chances for the home side, Milan's defense held firm, securing their third clean sheet in four games since switching to a three-man backline. Santiago Gimenez sealed the victory for Milan in the closing seconds, lobbing the goalkeeper after being played through by Reijnders. This was Gimenez's first goal since mid-February, ending his scoring drought.
While the win keeps Milan mathematically alive in the race for European places, their main focus appears to be building momentum ahead of the Coppa Italia final on May 14. With four league matches remaining, Pulisic will look to continue his fine form before rejoining the Gold Cup this summer.
Winger Injured Again in Wolfsburg Defeat to Freiburg
Kevin Paredes suffered a significant setback in his injury-plagued season as Wolfsburg fell 1-0 to SC Freiburg in Saturday's Bundesliga match. The 21-year-old was subbed off after 62 minutes with what manager Ralph Hasenhüttl described as a "probably serious muscle injury, based on what he reported."
The timing couldn't be more unfortunate for Paredes, who had just returned to action after a seven-month absence due to a foot injury. His season debut came only the previous weekend in a 2-2 draw with Mainz, where he impressed by providing an assist for Maximilian Arnold's goal just three minutes into the match.
Against Freiburg, Paredes started as a right midfielder but couldn't help prevent Wolfsburg's defeat after they played much of the match with ten men following Arnold's 27th-minute red card. Before his substitution, the winger recorded 22 touches and completed 13 of 16 passes (81% accuracy), while being fouled twice.
"It's not surprising," Hasenhüttl noted after the match. "The boy was injured for almost a year, had a good game against Mainz, but you can see he's still missing a lot."
With only four matches remaining in Wolfsburg's Bundesliga campaign, this injury could prematurely end Paredes' season and his availability for the Gold Cup in June, limiting him to just two appearances in a frustrating year for the promising American talent.
On This Day in 2021, Captain America Stayed Hot With a Memorable Strike in the Champions League Semifinal
Christian Pulisic's remarkable April resurgence reached new heights on a rain-soaked night in Madrid. The American winger etched his name in the Champions League history books during Chelsea's compelling 1-1 semifinal first-leg draw with Real Madrid.
After enduring a season plagued by injuries and inconsistent playing time, Pulisic's renaissance had begun earlier in the month, scoring the opening goal in Chelsea's disappointing 5-2 home defeat to West Bromwich Albion on April 3 before a statement performance against Crystal Palace a week later. The goals against Palace restored the 22-year-old's confidence, which was pivotal in Chelsea's campaign as they pursued a top-four Premier League finish and Champions League glory under new manager Thomas Tuchel. That performance proved to be more than just a flash of brilliance—it began a defining stretch for the player and his club.
As Chelsea prepared for their Champions League Semifinal showdown with European royalty Real Madrid, Pulisic's resurgent form earned him back his place in Tuchel's plans. After being mainly restricted to substitute appearances following Tuchel's January appointment, Pulisic had finally established himself as a regular starter.
"I feel very confident in my body and fitness level at the moment," Pulisic told reporters ahead of the Madrid clash. "I have played a string of games. I had some time out in the past year and a bit. It is really just about taking care of my body and putting myself in the best position to be available for every game. I feel good about that right now."
The American credited his international duty in March, where he scored against Northern Ireland in a friendly, as helping him find consistency. "I think it did help to go away and get some games in with the national team," Pulisic explained. "I definitely always enjoy that and, coming back, I felt very confident, and I still feel that way."
When Chelsea arrived at Real Madrid's Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium on April 27, the stage was set for Pulisic to continue his impressive form. Facing a Real Madrid team that had switched to an unfamiliar back-three formation, Chelsea started brightly, with Timo Werner spurning a golden opportunity to open the scoring early on.
But where Werner faltered, Pulisic would deliver. In the 14th minute, Antonio Rüdiger launched a perfectly weighted long ball that caught Madrid's defense flat-footed. Pulisic broke the offside trap, gathered possession, and found himself one-on-one with former Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. With remarkable composure, the American sidestepped the onrushing Courtois before firing a powerful shot past the Madrid defenders on the goal line.
The goal was more than just the opening strike in a crucial Champions League semifinal—it was a historic milestone. Pulisic became the first American player ever to score in a Champions League semifinal and, at 22 years and 221 days, the youngest Chelsea player to score at this stage of the competition. He had also surpassed DaMarcus Beasley to become the top American scorer in Champions League history with five goals.
“It was a great finish, great composure,” Chelsea captain César Azpilicueta said of Pulisic. “He’s an amazing player, he’s a young player, he’s growing and improving. I’m very pleased with his goal because he’s an important player for the team.”
Chelsea's dominance in the opening stages suggested they might secure a commanding advantage to take back to Stamford Bridge. However, Real Madrid's experience and quality eventually told. Karim Benzema, Madrid's talismanic striker, had already served a warning when he thundered a long-range effort against the post.
In the 29th minute, Benzema delivered a moment of brilliance that underlined his status as one of Europe's elite finishers. He controlled a loose ball with his head and executed a stunning volley that flew past Edouard Mendy for the equalizer. It was Benzema's 71st Champions League goal, putting him level with Real Madrid legend Raúl in the competition's all-time scoring charts.
The remainder of the match saw both sides create opportunities without finding a decisive breakthrough. Chelsea could argue they had the better chances, particularly when Pulisic delivered a teasing cross that Werner failed to connect with. Nevertheless, the 1-1 scoreline, with Chelsea holding the advantage of an away goal, set up a tantalizing return leg at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel was pleased with his team's performance but recognized that the tie remained delicately balanced. "We started the game very, very well—very aggressively, with a lot of quality," Tuchel said. "We deserved to win the first half. We had a lot of chances."
Eight days later, with the Champions League Final in Porto tantalizingly within reach, Chelsea welcomed Real Madrid to Stamford Bridge for the decisive second leg. This time, Pulisic began the match on the bench, with Tuchel opting for Mason Mount, Kai Havertz and Werner in the attack.
After Werner had given Chelsea a 1-0 lead, Pulisic entered the fray in the 67th minute, replacing the German forward. His impact was immediate and electrifying. The American's pace and direct running repeatedly troubled the tiring Madrid defense, creating several opportunities as Chelsea pushed for a second goal to kill off the tie.
In the 85th minute, Pulisic's contribution proved decisive. N'Golo Kanté won possession in the Madrid half and drove forward before slipping the ball to Pulisic on the right side of the penalty area. The American showed remarkable awareness, drawing Courtois out before executing a perfect drag-back and rolling the ball across to Mason Mount, who slammed home from close range to seal Chelsea's 2-0 victory (3-1 on aggregate).
The assist capped another influential performance from Pulisic, whose resurgence had perfectly aligned with Chelsea's journey to their first Champions League Final since 2012. On May 29, 2021, Chelsea faced Manchester City in an all-English Champions League Final at the Estádio do Dragão in Porto. While Pulisic began the match on the bench, his moment would come in the second half.
With Chelsea leading 1-0 thanks to Kai Havertz's first-half goal, Pulisic was introduced as a 66th-minute substitute, becoming the first American to play in a Champions League Final. The American almost doubled Chelsea's advantage with a golden opportunity, running onto a through ball and rounding goalkeeper Ederson, only to slide his shot agonizingly wide of the post.
Despite this miss, Chelsea secured a 1-0 victory and their second Champions League title. As the final whistle blew, Pulisic dropped to his knees in celebration, becoming only the second American player to win the Champions League after Jovan Kirovski with Borussia Dortmund in 1997.
The triumph in Porto represented the culmination of an extraordinary journey for Pulisic. From the frustrations of injuries and limited playing time to the jubilation of lifting European club football's most prestigious trophy, his April revival had set the stage for Chelsea's unexpected Champions League triumph.
As Chelsea's players celebrated with the trophy, the magnitude of their accomplishment began to sink in. For Pulisic, whose crucial goal against Real Madrid had helped make it all possible, the triumph represented personal redemption and a platform for future success on the game's grandest stages. Just a few days after lifting the trophy in Porto, Pulisic would fly back to the United States to help the national team compete in the CONCACAF Nations League Finals.
The American Anchored the Defense to Another League Title in Scotland
Cameron Carter-Vickers played a pivotal role in Celtic's Scottish Premiership championship success as Brendan Rodgers' side secured their fourth consecutive league title with a commanding 5-0 victory over Dundee United on Saturday.
The American center-back has been a defensive cornerstone for Celtic throughout the campaign. He has played in 26 league matches and contributed one goal during a 5-1 win against Kilmarnock on April 12. His consistent performances helped Celtic establish an insurmountable 17-point lead at the top of the table over rivals Rangers.
This title triumph marks Carter-Vickers' fourth Scottish Premiership medal since joining Celtic initially on loan in 2021 before making the move permanent in 2022. The US international committed his long-term future to the club in January 2024 by signing a five-and-a-half-year contract keeping him at Celtic Park until 2029.
"Really, really good—I think for me the league title is the most important one," Carter-Vickers said. "You know, it kind of it shows the efforts and performance levels that you put in throughout the season so to get another one over the line is is a great feeling and something to be proud of."
Celtic's championship season featured dominant performances in both domestic competitions. The club had already secured the League Cup in December, where Carter-Vickers played the full 120 minutes in their penalty shootout victory over Rangers. The Hoops now have the opportunity to complete a domestic treble when they face Aberdeen in next month's Scottish Cup final.
Fellow American Auston Trusty earned a winners' medal with Celtic this season, though he wasn't involved in the title-clinching match against Dundee United. The twin American presence in Celtic's defense has contributed to the club's record-equaling 55th league championship, bringing them level with Rangers in the all-time Scottish title count.
Defender Played the Full 90 Minutes as Palace Rolled Past Aston Villa
Chris Richards delivered an outstanding defensive performance as Crystal Palace secured their place in the FA Cup final with a commanding 3-0 victory over Aston Villa at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
The 25-year-old defender was part of manager Oliver Glasner's back three and was described as "aggressive in the tackle" during what the Austrian coach called an "unbelievable" team display. Richards played the full 90 minutes and was instrumental in helping Palace reach only their third FA Cup final in the club's 119-year history.
Richards' defensive statistics highlight his significant contribution to the semifinal triumph. He made six clearances (four of them headed), registered one interception, and won all his attempted tackles. No Villa player successfully dribbled past him throughout the match as Palace's defense stood firm against Unai Emery's Champions League quarter-finalists.
He completed 71% of his passes (20/28) and contributed four passes into the final third, helping Palace maintain control throughout the contest. His performance alongside teammates Maxence Lacroix and captain Marc Guehi established a rock-solid defensive foundation that allowed Palace's attacking players to flourish.
While Eberechi Eze opened the scoring with a sensational first-half finish and Ismaila Sarr netted twice to complete the rout, Richards and the Palace defense remained resolute, with goalkeeper Dean Henderson making several crucial saves to preserve the clean sheet.
This marks another milestone in Richards' developing career as he joins the select group of American players competing for major European silverware this season. Palace will now face either Manchester City in the final on May 17, where they'll aim to lift the FA Cup for the first time after falling short in the 1990 and 2016 finals.
Americans on Opposite Sides as Holstein Kiel Edges Gladbach in Bundesliga Thriller
Holstein Kiel secured a dramatic 4-3 victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach in a crucial relegation battle, with American left wing-back John Tolkin playing a key role before exiting with injury. Fellow American Joe Scally had a forgettable outing for the visiting Gladbach side.
Tolkin immediately impacted Kiel, delivering a pinpoint corner kick in the 15th minute that found Shuto Machino, who headed home to give the hosts an early lead. The 22-year-old American looked sharp during his time on the pitch, creating two chances and completing 85% of his passes while contributing defensively with a tackle, a block and three clearances.
Unfortunately, Tolkin's promising performance was cut short in the 41st minute when he took a knock to the head and had to be substituted, with Finn Porath taking his place. By then, Kiel had already doubled their advantage through Alexander Bernhardsson's 23rd-minute strike.
On the opposite side, Scally endured a difficult 90 minutes for Gladbach. The young American right-back struggled to make a positive impact, failing to create any chances despite 64 touches. His crossing was particularly ineffective, with none of his four attempted crosses finding their target. While Scally won five duels and completed 86% of his passes, his overall performance lacked the quality needed as Gladbach's defense conceded four goals.
The match itself was a rollercoaster affair. After Kiel built a 2-0 lead, Gladbach fought back with goals from Tomáš Čvančara and Alassane Pléa to level the score. Armin Gigović restored Kiel's lead in the 76th minute, only for Franck Honorat to equalize again for Gladbach ten minutes later.
The decisive moment came in the first minute of stoppage time when Machino struck his second goal of the match to secure a vital win for Holstein Kiel, moving them off the bottom of the table. With three games remaining, Kiel is now just three points behind the relegation playoff spot, giving them renewed hope in their fight for survival in the Bundesliga.
This gutsy victory could prove pivotal for the Bundesliga debutants, while Gladbach remain in ninth place despite the defeat.
