Pulisic and Musah Play Friday

Milan Hosts Bologna as Key Match Approaches

As AC Milan prepares to face Bologna on Friday in both a Serie A fixture and a preview of their upcoming Coppa Italia Final, Christian Pulisic remains central to the Rossoneri's plans both on and off the pitch.

The American star has been in stellar form since joining Milan from Chelsea in 2023. He has led the team with 16 goals this season while adding 11 assists. His consistent performance has made him a cornerstone of the club's future planning, with reports indicating Milan intends to rebuild around Pulisic and midfielder Tijjani Reijnders.

For Pulisic, this elevated status could result in a significant pay increase from his current $4.56 million annual salary to approximately $5.7 million per year, with a proposed contract extension through 2029. His importance to the team is underscored by him becoming the first player since Zlatan Ibrahimovic to score at least 15 goals in his first two seasons with Milan.

Friday's match carries special significance beyond just football tactics. Milan players will wear their mothers' surnames on their jerseys instead of their own as part of a Mother's Day initiative. The club will also support approximately 70 young teenage mothers through a fundraising campaign that includes auctioning the match-worn jerseys.

The fixture represents more than just league points for both clubs. With Milan currently struggling in ninth place in Serie A, their best chance for European qualification next season may rest on winning the Coppa Italia final against this same Bologna opponent on May 14.

Load management may become a concern for Pulisic in the coming months. After playing nearly 4,000 minutes of combined club and international football this season, questions remain about his potential involvement in the upcoming CONCACAF Gold Cup, especially with the 2026 World Cup next summer.

Bocanegra Scored in French Cup Final

On This Day in 2009, the Defender Rose to Nod Home Stade Rennes' Opener in the Stade de France Final, but EA Guingamp Stormed Back to Win the Trophy

After barely avoiding relegation during the 2007-08 season, Fulham released eight players, including Carlos Bocanegra. The USMNT captain played four-and-a-half seasons in London in the Premier League, scoring eight goals in 116 league appearances. Within a month, Bocanegra signed a three-year deal with Stade Rennes in Ligue 1 in France with aspirations of helping the club reach the UEFA Champions League after a sixth-place finish the previous season.

Bocanegra became essential to the national team in 2007, when he captained the side that beat Mexico 2-1 in the Gold Cup Final. He used that momentum to play 22 matches for Fulham during the following season, including captaining the side for the first time in a Premier League match, a 3-3 draw with Tottenham on September 1. But, Fulham needed three wins in the final three matches to remain safe in England’s top flight — Bocanegra was left on the bench for those final games.

After being released and signing in France, Bocanegra hit the ground running, moving straight into the starting XI at left back. The American would start all 38 matches for Rennes in Ligue 1, scoring once, resulting in a 2-0 win over AJ Auxerre on March 8. He needed to play well for Rennes as the US had World Cup Qualifying starting in June. Bocanegra would captain the Americans in 8 of 11 qualifying matches before the conclusion of the 2008/09 club season. Rennes also made a cup run in the Coupe de France, beating FC Sochaux, Saint-Etienne, FC Lorient, Rodez AF and Grenoble to reach the final, a May 9 match with Guingamp.

Rennes was coming off a league win over Paris Saint-Germain six days earlier and was sitting seventh in Ligue 1, while their opponent, Guingamp, was a bottom-half team in Ligue 2. But the team from northwest France made a magical cup run to the final, beating Le Mans, Sedan and Toulouse in the final three rounds. The match remained scoreless until midway through the second half, with Rennes piling on the pressure. They finally made the breakthrough in the 69th minute, following a set-piece. Bruno Cheyrou curled in the ball with his left foot from the right side, and Bocanegra rose to nod home the opening goal.

“It was probably one of the best atmospheres I've had outside of a World Cup game, which is pretty special,” Bocanegra said in 2011. “(After the goal), it was just really loud. I don't remember. It was just that was a nice feeling, you know? It popped up on a set piece, but unfortunately, it wasn't enough.”

Guingamp would instantly respond with Eduardo equalizing in the 72nd minute. 10 minutes later, Eduardo would strike again, scoring the winner after a scramble in the box. The second-division side would hold on for the 2-1 victory and the trophy. Rennes collected four points from their final three league matches to finish seventh in Ligue 1. It was a successful first season in France for Bocanegra, and that success transferred to the national team. He scored the winner in the US’s 2-1 victory over Honduras on June 6 in World Cup Qualifying before captaining the side, in the knockout rounds, to a second-place finish at the Confederations Cup.

Americans Clash in Ligue 1

USMNT Players on Opposite Sides as Monaco Hosts Lyon in Crucial Ligue 1 Match

Folarin Balogun and Tanner Tessmann will face off this Saturday at the Stade Louis-II when AS Monaco hosts Olympique Lyonnais in a match with significant Champions League implications.

For Monaco's Balogun, the timing of his return to full fitness couldn't be better. After undergoing shoulder surgery in December and gradually working his way back, the USMNT striker delivered an impressive 90-minute performance last weekend, scoring in Monaco's crucial 3-1 victory over Saint-Etienne.

"I was really impressed by his performance, and for me, he deserved to score," Monaco manager Adi Hutter said of Balogun's return. "We're all very happy to have him back. Sometimes after a full, intense match, players end up exhausted, especially when they're working hard like Balo."

Balogun's presence becomes even more critical as Monaco's top scorer, Mika Biereth (13 goals), is questionable after being forced off within 15 minutes last weekend. Though Hutter noted Biereth has returned to training and could be available, having Balogun available provides crucial depth.

For Lyon's Tessmann, the match represents an opportunity to silence critics during a challenging first season in France. Despite high expectations following his transfer from Venezia last summer, the 23-year-old American midfielder has struggled to establish himself, making just 21 appearances, mainly as a substitute.

With Lyon sitting seventh and their Champions League hopes fading, this fixture represents one of Tessmann's final opportunities to impress before what could be another transfer. Reports from Italy suggest Torino considers him a replacement for Inter Milan-bound Samuele Ricci.

Monaco enters the match in third place, clinging to the final automatic Champions League qualification spot, with just two points separating five teams fighting for European places. A win would keep their destiny in their own hands heading into the season finale at Lens.

Cardoso and Betis to the Conference Final

Cardoso Shines as Real Betis Advances to Historic Conference League Final

Real Betis achieved a historic milestone on Thursday night, defeating Fiorentina to advance to the UEFA Conference League Final—the first European final in the club's 118-year history. American international Johnny Cardoso played a crucial role in the victory, completing a remarkable 96% of his passes (44/46) during the full 120 minutes of play.

Though the scoreline doesn't reflect Cardoso's direct impact through goals or assists, his contributions were essential to Betis' triumph. The 23-year-old New Jersey-born midfielder hit the woodwork once from his three shot attempts and created one scoring chance for his teammates. His defensive presence was equally valuable, recording three interceptions, two blocks and four recoveries throughout the match.

Cardoso's performance continues his impressive form since joining Betis for €6 million in January 2024. Initially brought in to fill the void left by departing club icons Andrés Guardado and Guido Rodríguez, Cardoso has exceeded expectations and established himself as an indispensable figure in Manuel Pellegrini's squad.

The victory was sealed dramatically when Manchester United loanee Antony, who scored a stunning free-kick earlier in the match, set up Abde Ezzalzouli's winner in the 97th minute of extra time.

This triumph caps an impressive turnaround for Betis, who sat 11th in LaLiga in February before embarking on a remarkable run that has seen them lose just once in their last 11 league matches while simultaneously progressing through European competition.

Betis will face Chelsea in the final in Wrocław, Poland on May 28th. Meanwhile, Cardoso's stellar performances haven't gone unnoticed, with both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United reportedly monitoring the defensive midfielder. Spurs hold a €25 million purchase option on Cardoso and are reportedly planning to trigger this clause, believing his market value has already increased by approximately £10 million since the pre-agreement was reached.

Haji Ready for Sunderland

Wright Poses Major Threat for Coventry City in Championship Playoff Clash

As the second Championship playoff semifinal kicks off Friday night at the Coventry Building Society Arena, Haji Wright represents the most significant danger to Sunderland's Premier League promotion dreams. The Black Cats begin their two-legged semifinal against Frank Lampard's Coventry City with serious concerns about the in-form striker.

Wright has been particularly prolific against Sunderland this season, scoring four goals in just two meetings—including a devastating hat-trick in Coventry's 3-0 victory at their home ground in March. That result marked Sunderland's heaviest defeat of the campaign and showcased Wright's clinical finishing ability.

The Sky Blues enter the playoffs with significant momentum under Lampard's leadership. The former Chelsea legend has orchestrated a remarkable turnaround since taking over in November, with the club in 17th place and just two points above relegation. Their home form has been particularly impressive with 14 wins at the CBS Arena this season.

Meanwhile, Sunderland's form has collapsed at the worst possible time. Regis Le Bris' men enter the playoffs on the back of five consecutive defeats without scoring in most of those matches—a stark contrast to their consistent performance throughout most of the season.

"It's exciting that we're here because everyone wants to be in the play-offs," Lampard told BBC CWR. "It would be magical [promotion] but we've got three games before we get there—we can't get caught up in all that."

The second leg will take place at Sunderland's Stadium of Light on May 13, with the winner advancing to face either Sheffield United or Bristol City in the final.