Weston McKennie chasing down Christian Pulisic record

Coming into the first game day of the new-look Champions League, there were two players of the US Men’s National Team plying their trade in Serie A with eyes on having a good run in the competition.

It’s fair to say that neither of the Italian clubs are at the top of the betting odds – there’s a club in Manchester (no, not them) and Madrid fancying their chances again – but who can tell what surprises lie ahead. And it was a positive start to the campaign for at least one of our US stars.

Stars and Stripes in Champions League

McKennie continues to carve his name into US soccer history, now boasting five UEFA Champions League goals, after adding Juve’s second against PSV in the 26th minute (follow the game live). His latest strike moves him past DaMarcus Beasley and places him second, trailing only Christian Pulisic, who leads with eight goals. Or that was the situation until three minutes into the game in Milan, as Captain America moved onto nine.

The recently turned 26-year-old has had some memorable moments since his arrival at The Old Lady in 2020 from Schalke 04, and has renewed his contract until June 2026. With 134 appearances, 13 goals, and 15 assists under his belt, McKennie’s presence continues to grow. His unforgettable volley against Barcelona in 2020 remains one of the standout moments in his career.

While McKennie chases down Pulisic’s UCL record, the latter, now a key player for the Rossoneri, faces a familiar opponent in Liverpool – a team he has scored against multiple times in the past while playing for Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund.