USMNT's Christian Pulisic shines, but AC Milan held to frustrating draw with Cagliari

U.S. international Christian Pulisic was at his creative best, but couldn't find a goal contribution in AC Milan's frustrating 1-1 draw with Cagliari in Serie A.

Pulisic certainly played his part for Milan, particularly in the club's opening goal. Played in by Theo Hernandez in the 51st minute, Pulisic smashed a shot off the post and back into play. Fortunately for Milan, Alvaro Morata was there to pounce, tapping home the ensuing rebound to give Milan the 1-0 lead at home.

Milan conceded just moments later, though, as Nadir Zortea snuck a long-range effort past Mike Maignan, who should have done better on the shot. Pulisic had a chance to restore the lead shortly after, but his one-on-one chance was pushed away by goalkeeper Elia Caprile.

In the end, Pulisic finished with five shots and three chances created, but Milan could muster just one goal as they took just one point from Saturday's match.

Pulisic wasn't the only American in the XI, though. Yunus Musah was also handed a start, going 63 minutes and completing all but one of his 31 passes before being replaced by Tammy Abraham.

Saturday's draw somewhat halts Milan's momentum following this week's Supercoppa Italiana triumph. Pulisic helped spearhead a Milan comeback against Juventus in the semifinal before then guiding the club to another come-from-behind win over Inter in the finale to claim the trophy. Those two wins came under new manager Sergio Conceicao, who provided an immediate lift in those two matches.

Instead, Conceicao's first Serie A match produced more of the same. With the draw, Milan sit back in eighth place, facing a fight to book their spot in next season's Champions League.

By lifting the Supercoppa Italiana earlier this week, Pulisic now has five senior trophies at the club level. He won the DFB-Pokal at Borussia Dortmund and lifted the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and Club World Cup trophies during his time at Chelsea.

It's a big week for Milan, who will have little time to recover before facing Como on Tuesday. After that, it'll be another edition of Serie A's USMNT derby as Pulisic, Musah, and Milan visit Weston McKennie, Timothy Weah, and Juventus on Saturday.