Americans Abroad: Gio Reyna seeks more minutes, Christian Pulisic seeks return to form, Tim Weah seeks sixth straight Serie A win

It was all doom and gloom a month ago. That's football. We were told - and then convinced - that Gio Reyna's time at Dortmund was up. There could have been a sale in January. There might be one in the summer. Reyna isn't playing. His coach doesn't like him. There is no chance he cracks into the USMNT - even if he finally finds something resembling match fitness.

And now, a chance has come. Reyna has started back-to-back league games for a struggling Dortmund. The stats don't overwhelm. Reyna hasn't scored in either, and his offensive contributions have been far short of the quality he can certainly provide on his day. His play would seem to be enough, though, to impress Dortmund manager Niko Kovac.

"Giovanni Reyna has done a great job in the last two games, even if he didn’t shine as much offensively," Kovac said earlier this week. "Defensively, he was very strong. That’s what I expect from every player. Every single one is important.”

Those feel-good platitudes weren't enough to earn Reyna a start against Lille in the Champions League, but his managed minutes might point towards one in the Bundesliga on Saturday. Perhaps that's a good starting point.

Reyna, remember, is still well short of sharp. Minutes from the start will be immensely valuable here - even if he is left out in the biggest of games. And from a USMNT perspective, any chance he has to impress Pochettino can only be a good thing.

Christian Pulisic was pretty much the only attacking player in Milan who seemed to get along with Paulo Fonseca. Under the Portuguese, the American was at his buzzing, brilliant best, all sharp cuts, neat touches, and full of the final product that had so often alluded him at the highest level.

Yeah, so much for that. Sergio Conceicao has been the Milan manager for three months now, and Pulisic has struggled for most of them. There are the tactics why - Pulisic is playing further away from goal, Joao Felix is filling his best spots - but he also looks a player lacking in confidence. Chuck in the first missed penalty of his career, and the alarm bells are ringing.

Pulisic is a fine footballer struggling to adjust under a manager who doesn't play to his strengths. That happens. The real test here is a look at how quickly he can adapt, and still impact the game when he can. This season is quickly slipping away from Milan, who are six points back of a Europa Conference League spot with 11 games remaining.

Cliche as it is, they will need someone to step up. Pulisic has proved before that he can be that guy. Lecce, on Saturday, is a chance to show he might be able to do it again.

+ It will be a big weekend for Tim Weah, who is set to be handed the ineviable task of marking Ademola Lookman when Juventus take on league title contenders Atalanta. Juve have nowhere to focus but the league now, and are picking up steam domestically under Thiago Motta, winning five straight in Serie A. Beat Atalanta at home and they could go level on points - and stay on the periphery of a title race that might get closer than it seems.

+ Crystal Palace's Chris Richards will have his hands full against the physical Liam Delap, who is always a real nuisance for Ipswich. Oliver Glasner's side are riding off the high of beating Millwall to secure a spot in the FA Cup quarter final. Wembley beckons, but solid league performances will be necessary in the meantime.

+ Brenden Aaronson's Leeds are hoping to stay atop the Championship when they host Portsmouth on Sunday. The American has come under criticism in recent weeks as his levels have dropped, and a good performance would go a long way to keeping the noise down from the fans.

+ There remain injury struggles elsewhere, with Ricardo Pepi, Malik Tillman and Balogun all still out - although the latter might return to game action soon.