USMNT
Christian Pulisic named in Serie A Best XI
The USMNT forward has caught the eye for AC Milan during the first half of the 2023/24 campaign.
AC Milan forward Christian Pulisic has been named in Opta´s Best XI for the first half of the Serie A season.
The 25-year-old joined the Italian giants from Chelsea last summer and has made an immediate impact in Milan. Pulisic provided an assist in last weekend´s 3-0 victory over Empoli, taking his tally for the season to six goals and five assists.
Argentine World Cup winner Lauturo Martinez and former Barcelona midfielder Arthur Melo have also been included in the team selected by soccer stats platform Opta.
“Christian Pulisic is a great player. He has quality, intensity, and readiness,” Milan head coach Stefano Pioli said last month. “He’s scoring several goals, which is not easy for a winger. He can play in different positions and is fantastic in preparing for matches and seizing his opportunities.”
Christian Pulisic set for busy year with USMNT
After an impressive first few months in Milan, 2024 will be a busy year for USMNT captain Pulisic. Gregg Berhalter´s side take on Jamaica in the CONCACAF Nations League semi-final in March and will host the 2024 Copa América in the summer.
USMNT have been drawn in a group with Bolivia, Panama and Uruguay for the Copa América, and could face the likes of Brazil and Argentina if they progress in the tournament.
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Last year was a chaotic one for the US as the team looked to bounce back from a disappointing exit from the 2022 World Cup amid the controversy surrounding Berhalter and Gio Reyna. However 2024 looks set to be more positive with team captain Pulisic hitting top form in Italy. The likes of Timothy Weah, Folarin Balogun, Yunus Musah and Weston McKennie are also getting regular game time in the top European leagues and USMNT could impress in the home tournament.
There is also an opportunity for young players to force there way into contention with the ongoing January training camp. Berhalter has named a 25-man roster of MLS-based players for a friendly fixture against Slovenia on Saturday, 20 January. Young stars like Diego Luna, Aziel Jackson and Cade Cowell will all be hoping to catch the coach´s eye.
“This is an opportunity to identify and work with the next generation of players who have the potential to make an impact on our program,” the USMNT head coach said.