‘It sends a message’ - USMNT’s Christian Pulisic says AC Milan proved themselves as a Serie A contender with Napoli win

Pulisic expressed immense pride in his team's resilient performance after Pervis Estupinan 57th-minute red card forced Milan to defend their lead with one fewer player.

“We feel incredible, honestly,” Pulisic said in an interview with CBS Sports Golazo America. “Just the spirit of the team the way we fought. Also after the red card, we really gave everything and it’s a special feeling now for us.”

The American believes the Rossoneri's to the top of the table sends a message to other Serie A teams.

"It sends a message for sure,” Pulisic said. “That we’re a good team, we’re a strong team, you know we can score goals, but we can defend like this. And we have a good spirit and I think it shows a lot for sure.”

USMNT icon Tony Meola praised Pulisic following his exceptional performance in AC Milan's victory. The American remains on the top of Serie A scoring chart, but Meola believes Pulisic continues to get treated with skepticism despite his success.

“If you remember, his first year everyone was like can he get 10 goal contributions? I said he was at least a 20-goal contribution guy throughout the season. But then the story was, can he do it again? And then the story is can he follow that up, right? It’s like people don’t want to believe in him sometimes," Meola said on CBS Sports Golazo America. "They know he’s got it but they’re almost waiting for the other shoe to drop and he continues to get better.”

Meola suggested that Pulisic's primary motivation is being recognized for his skill rather than being evaluated through the lens of his American background.

“He has said time and time again, ‘I want to show you I’m a good footballer.' Not [just that] I’m a good American footballer, that I’m a good footballer," Meola explained. "Take the American tag off of me, look at me like everybody else. And that’s what American players are trying to do but this guy has taken the torch."

Meola's also positioned Pulisic among the pantheon of American soccer legends despite the winger being just 27 years old.

“We talk about Clint Dempsey all the time and he was incredible in Europe,” Meola said. “At some point we’re going to talk about Christian and his career and it’s going to be the top American player that’s gone over to Europe. I think he’s right there. Clint, I know that’s a different debate, but he’s right there with Clint.”

Pulisic's exceptional club form comes at an opportune moment for both Milan and the USMNT. The Rossoneri and the American will take on Juventus on the road on Oct. 5 before the international break begins. Then Pulisic travels stateside as the USMNT will face Australia and Ecuador in friendly matches.