Americans Abroad: USMNT strikers stay red-hot in No. 9 race as Christian Pulisic powers AC Milan's derby win over Inter

This might finally be the best of Folarin Balogun. The Arsenal academy product has teased it for a while, but failed to hit the same heights as he managed during his breakout year at Reims nearly three full seasons ago. Back then, the sky was the limit. Now, things are a little less certain. At times, the Monaco shirt has looked a little bif ro him.

On Friday, though, he showed why he might just be a perfect fit at this level, playing a crucial role in a 3-1 win over PSG. First, it is worth highlighting that Balogun both scored and assisted against PSG. He set up the first wonderfully, with a clever ball to the near post. And then he smashed home the third from outside the box. The stat sheet, then, is impressive. 

 But perhaps more important was his all-around game. Sure, Balogun can thrive in a counter-attacking system when opposing defenses offer space in behind. But Balogun popped up everywhere, holding up play and distributing the ball effectively. He is not a complete striker - not yet, at least. Yet on Friday, he showed that all of the pieces might just be there. 

Week by week, Haji Wright proved more and more why, exactly, he should be in the USMNT squad. Say what you will about the relative level of the EFL Championship, Wright is finding the net at an excellent clip for the best team in the league.

He scored again on Saturday morning against Bristol City, bagging the first of two in a comfortable - yet vital - 2-0 win for the Sky Blues as they look to push towards promotion to the Premier League. He has now bagged six in his last five, while Coventry haven't lost since January. Wright is one goal off the Golden Boot lead, too, which would be mightily deserved for a footballer in excellent form.  

Pepi makes the Eredivisie look laughably easy these days. The striker is simply too good for the league he plays in, and it's a pleasure to watch for those of a USMNT persuasion. He wasn't at his fluid best for the reigning champions on Saturday in his first start since returning from a broken arm. Still, he made a true impact, running and finding regular looks at goal.

And in the 86th minute, it came off for him. The ball dropped to the American in the six-yard box, and he dutifully smashed home to seal a 2-1 win as PSV continued their procession to the title. Pepi now has 10 goals in nine starts in the Dutch league and is averaging a goal every 86 minutes. A Premier League move has been rumored for some time, and it seems he is ready. 

The Scudetto race may not officially be on, but it's certainly not off. That's because Milan picked up three crucial points against league-leading Inter this weekend, keeping hopes alive heading into the final few months of the season.

With Sunday's 1-0 win, Milan are now seven points behind the team they share the San Siro with. It would still take a lot of work to catch the league leaders, but it's possible now after Milan took all three points on Sunday.

Pulisic didn't quite make the difference to earn those three points as Milan's goal came from an unlikely source: wingback Pervis Estupinan. The American, though, was dangerous throughout, effectively leading the line for Milan. He created three chances, beat three defenders off the dribble, and won all four of his duels. There was an intensity to Pulisic's performance, one that, ultimately, did pay off in the end.

If he continues on as he played on Sunday, the goals and assists will come. He's still hunting for his first of both in 2026, but this was the type of game that makes it seem like it's only a matter of time.

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+ Patrick Agyemang failed to find the net, but Derby picked up a crucial 2-0 win over Swansea

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+ Johnny Cardoso played 30 minutes off the bench as Atletico Madrid won 3-2 against Real Sociedad

+ Aidan Morris helped run the show in midfield with 116 touches in Middlesbrough's 4-0 beatdown of QPR

+ Malik Tillman endured another difficult showing in 24 minutes off the bench as Leverkusen drew 3-3 with Freiburg. 

+ Gio Reyna was an unused substitute as Borussia Monchengladbach were handily beaten by Bayern Munich

+ Weston McKennie played all 90 minutes in Juventus' win over Pisa

+ James Sands played 81 minutes but came off with an injury in St. Pauli's 0-0 draw with Eintracht Frankfurt