Americans Abroad: Christian Pulisic seeks Milan derby glory, Tim Weah and Juventus seek Serie A improvement

There isn't much criticism that can be leveled at Pulisic this season. Though sidelined at times by injury, he has been, by some distance, Milan's top performer. It's hard to think of many more impactful players in Serie A. He has performed in big games against Real Madrid, Inter and Liverpool.

But while he has led his team to glory in European competitions and the Supercoppa Italia, he is yet to produce a big time, match-winning Serie A performance.

That isn't entirely his fault, of course. Outside of him, Milan have been maddeningly inconsistent. They concede too many goals, while Rafael Leao isn't hitting his usual levels. Still, Pulisic hasn't carried Milan in a big time Serie A game. And time is running out for the Italian club. This is a team that should, on pedigree alone, be competing for at least a top four spot. Right now, they're five points back with a game in hand.

Saturday's Milan derby could be crucial in the scope of the season. Towards the top of the table, the outlay at the end of the season tends to be defined far more often by points dropped against direct competitiors than wins gained against lesser teams. In other words, this is looking increasingly like a must-win game for the Rossonieri. Milan derbies are always big - no matter the competition. This one, though, might just mean a little bit more - especially with Milan winning just one of their last five in Serie A.

Well, at least they stopped drawing games. Admittedly, not much changed between Juventus' last two games- both losses - and the plethora of draws they had racked up. The football was still pretty languid. The defending was still mostly good. But instead of keeping things tight and hoping to sneak a goal in, they conceded three and only found the net once.

Then on Wednesday, U.S. international Weston McKennie got the captain armband for Juventus, but that was arguably the sole highlight in an uninspiring 2-0 defeat to Benfica in their Champions League league phase finale.

Will this signal a massive change in approach for Thiago Motta's side? Almost certainly not. if Motta was going to change things, he would have already. it would, frankly, be slightly concerning if the manager opted to switch things after back-to-back losses.

But it is clear that something needs to change. Juve need more intent. They need moments of individual inspiration. And that's part of the problem. There aren't any real match-winners in the squad. Dusan Vlahovic has struggled mightily this season, while Randal Kolo Muani still seems to be cashing in on goodwill he accrued for an excellent few months at Frankfurt two years ago.

Perhaps Tim Weah is the answer, then. When allowed to play - and deployed correctly - Weah has shown for both club and country that he can step up and produce a moment of magic. Sunday, against Empoli, might be an opportunity for a Weah special

But it isn't all good vibes everywhere. Ricardo Pepi, it appears, could be out of action for a while. The USMNT striker - who is in the midst of arguably his best season as a pro - sustained a knee injury after scoring and assisting in PSV's win over Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Early reports suggest that Pepi could be facing a spell on the sidelines. His participation in March's CONCACAF Nations League semifinal for the USMNT could be in question. It's an unfortunate stroke of luck for a forward who was just finding his best.