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Men's National Football

Report: Christian Pulisic Agrees to AC Milan Contract Ahead of Potential Transfer

Jun 30, 2023
LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 18: Christian Pulisic #10 of USA chases down a loose ball during the CONCACAF Nations League Final game between United States and Canada at Allegiant Stadium on June 18, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Robin Alam/ISI Photos/Getty Images).
LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 18: Christian Pulisic #10 of USA chases down a loose ball during the CONCACAF Nations League Final game between United States and Canada at Allegiant Stadium on June 18, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Robin Alam/ISI Photos/Getty Images).

U.S. men's national team captain Christian Pulisic has an agreement "in principle" to leave Chelsea for a long-term deal with AC Milan in Italy's Serie A league, per ESPN's Jeff Carlisle.

The deal is not complete, as the teams are currently negotiating a transfer fee, but Carlisle reported Pulisic is "willing to take a substantial pay cut" to complete the transaction.

Pulisic has 12 months remaining on his contract with Chelsea. He earned the highest transfer fee for an American soccer player in history when he signed with the club for $73.1 million (£58m) in January 2019.

Chelsea is looking to clear out some salary. The club has spent about $742 million (£585m) on new players since its purchase by American businessman Todd Boehly and his consortium last year, ESPN's Mark Ogden reported.

Italian sports news site Tuttomercatoweb first reported the news of Pulisic's deal, per Carlisle.

Pulisic has also been connected with potential trades to Serie A's Juventus and Napoli, the Premier League's Manchester United and Newcastle United, and La Liga's Atletico Madrid, per ESPN.

The USMNT winger made 98 Premier League appearances in four seasons with Chelsea, during which he recorded nine assists and scored 20 goals.

Chelsea wants to receive a $27.3 million (€25 million) transfer fee for Pulisic, while Milan would prefer a price of around $16 million to $20 million (€15m-€18m), per Carlisle.

The two clubs recently completed a deal for midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who went from Chelsea to Milan on a four-year deal for a transfer fee of around $19 million (£15m) "plus add-ons," according to The Athletic.

Milan is looking to bolster its roster after the news that star midfielder Sandro Tonali will depart for Newcastle broke earlier this week. The club is also reportedly interested in acquiring USMNT midfielder Yunus Musah, who currently plays for Valencia in Spain's La Liga, per The Athletic's James Horncastle.

Musah and Pulisic could potentially join USMNT teammate Timothy Weah in Serie A. Winger Timothy Weah recently signed a five-year deal with Juventus.

Pulisic's last few seasons at Stamford Bridge have been plagued by injuries that caused him to miss months of play at a time, including a torn abductor muscle in 2020 and an ankle injury in 2021. Most recently, Pulisic missed ten matches after suffering a knee injury in January.

He will hope for a reset, and a healthy season, if Chelsea and Milan are able to finalize this deal.

USMNT Impresses Twitter with Goal Eruption vs. St. Kitts and Nevis in 2023 Gold Cup

Jun 29, 2023
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - JUNE 28: Jesús Ferreira #9 of the United States celebrates scoring with Djordje Mihailovic #14 during the second half of a Group A match of the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup against Saint Kitts and Nevis at CITYPARK on June 28, 2023 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by John Dorton/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - JUNE 28: Jesús Ferreira #9 of the United States celebrates scoring with Djordje Mihailovic #14 during the second half of a Group A match of the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup against Saint Kitts and Nevis at CITYPARK on June 28, 2023 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by John Dorton/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

That went about as expected.

The United States beat up on Saint Kitts and Nevis in Gold Cup group play on Wednesday, winning 6-0 behind Jesús Ferreira's hat trick.

Djordje Mihailovic added a brace, while Bryan Reynolds contributed an absolute rocket for the USMNT:

This was the result the USMNT expected and should have achieved, even with the C team in action. The United States probably could have doubled its advantage with more clinical finishing.

But USMNT Twitter was generally happy with the goal barrage:

https://twitter.com/johnspacemuller/status/1674256728991342592
https://twitter.com/Tim_Chase7/status/1674266394584571906

Saint Kitts and Nevis has a population of about 47,600. To put that in perspective, St. Louis' CityPark, where the game was played, by itself can house 22,423 spectators.

The small Caribbean country is also appearing in its first Gold Cup, while the United States has established itself in recent years at the preeminent Concacaf power.

So, no, this wasn't a fair fight. It was a tough night on multiple levels for Saint Kitts and Nevis, however:

The United States now sits atop Group A on four points, currently ahead of Jamaica on goal differential (6-3). To win the group, the Americans will likely have to beat Trinidad and Tobago by a substantial margin, with Jamaica finishing its group stage against Saint Kitts and Nevis.

The USMNT will take on Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday at 7 p.m. ET. Jamaica will face Saint Kitts and Nevis at that same date and time.

Brandon Vázquez Wows USMNT Fans as Late Goal Earns Draw vs. Jamaica in 2023 Gold Cup

Jun 25, 2023
CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 24: Brandon Vazquez #19 of United States celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Group A match between United States and Jamaica as part of the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup at Soldier Field on June 24, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 24: Brandon Vazquez #19 of United States celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Group A match between United States and Jamaica as part of the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup at Soldier Field on June 24, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images)

After claiming their second straight Concacaf Nations League title and sending a clear message to the rest of the confederation, the United States men's national team set out to defend the Gold Cup on Saturday night at Solider Field in Chicago.

Goalkeeper Matt Turner, defender Miles Robinson and winger Alejandro Zendeja were the only players held over from the Nations League roster as players like Jesus Ferreira, Jordan Morris, Aaron Long and DeAndre Yedlin got the call to play in the Gold Cup.

On a night where the Americans seemingly just didn't have the "it" factor, Brandon Vázquez played hero with a late equalizer as the USMNT and Jamaica played to an 1-1 draw in the opening match of the Concacaf Gold Cup and are now tied atop the Group A standings.

After trailing for much of the match, Vázquez finally scored in the 88th minute to tie the game 1-1 and send American fans into a frenzy.

The Americans got out to a rough start on Saturday night and things quickly turned from bad to worse when Jamaica's Damion Lowe scored in the 13th minute to put the Reggae Boyz up 1-0 early.

Long and Matt Miazga were heavily criticized for their defending on the set piece.

Jamaica had the opportunity to take a 2-0 lead in the 27th minute when Aidan Morris caught Kevon Lambert in the chest with his boot in the penalty area. Leon Bailey stepped up to take the penalty, but his poor effort on the scoring chance resulted in a big save by Turner.

The United States turned up the dial following Turner's save, and Long provided the Americans with perhaps their best scoring chance of the first half in the 34th minute on a header that was sent just over the crossbar.

The United States and Jamaica opened the second half with a few exchanged chances, though the Americans had the better of the opportunities and could have walked away with a victory had they played better.

One of the USMNT's best chances came in the 71st minute when Cristian Roldan fired the ball on the net from the penalty area. Jamaica's Andre Blake, a two-time MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, made a brilliant save to keep the Reggae Boyz ahead.

While the USMNT walked away with a draw, it's clear the team collectively needs to be better if it hopes to make a deep run in this tournament.

And although the U.S. earned a draw, American fans on Twitter ripped the team's poor roster selection for the Gold Cup as players like Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, Weston McKennie, Timothy Weah and more are not playing:

https://twitter.com/MindOfAbram/status/1672803315875213312

Sending second-rate players to the Gold Cup could ultimately cost the United States the chance to win the tournament for the third time since 2017.

The USMNT's quest for the Gold Cup will continue on Wednesday with a match against Saint Kitts and Nevis at 10 p.m. ET. The Americans will end the group stage with a meeting with Trinidad and Tobago on July 2.

USMNT's Weston McKennie, Sergiño Dest Suspended After Red Cards vs. Mexico

Jun 23, 2023
CARSON, CA - JUNE 8: Sergino Dest, Weston McKennie of the United States during USMNT Training at Dignity Health Sports Park on June 8, 2023 in Carson, California. (Photo by John Dorton/USSF/Getty Images for USSF).
CARSON, CA - JUNE 8: Sergino Dest, Weston McKennie of the United States during USMNT Training at Dignity Health Sports Park on June 8, 2023 in Carson, California. (Photo by John Dorton/USSF/Getty Images for USSF).

U.S. men's national team members Weston McKennie and Sergiño Dest, who missed the Concacaf Nations League Final after earning red cards during a 3-0 semifinal win over Mexico on June 15, will be suspended for additional games.

In addition to automatic one-match suspensions, McKennie was served a three-match suspension, while Dest was suspended for two, according to Concacaf.

Although neither player was on the U.S. roster for the upcoming Gold Cup, those matches will count toward the suspension, meaning McKennie and Dest will be eligible for Nations League play this fall, The Athletic's Paul Tenorio reported.

McKennie was sent off after a brawl followed Mexico's César Montes kicking U.S. striker Folarin Balogun. Dest was ejected 15 minutes later after a shoving match at the sideline. The U.S. Soccer Federation appealed McKennie's red card but was turned down by Concacaf.

McKennie's red card was examined and upheld by an independent review panel after reviewing video of the incident, Concacaf said.

Mexico was also hit with suspensions stemming from the incidents. Montes was handed a three-match suspension, while Gerardo Arteaga, the player who clashed with Dest, will serve two.

Here are the incidents that earned the players four- and three-game suspensions, respectively:

Before he was removed from the game, Dest registered his fourth career assist on the goal from substitute Ricardo Pepi which earned the Americans a three-goal lead in the 78th minute of the semifinal.

McKennie apologized to the U.S. team after the win for his upcoming absence in the final:

Despite missing Dest and McKennie, the United States shut out Canada 2-0 to claim the team's second straight Nations League title Sunday. Midfielder Brenden Aaronson took McKennie's place, while Joe Scally replaced Dest at right back.

The two USA vets will be swapped for different replacements when the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup kicks off Saturday against Jamaica. With a tight six-day turnaround between the two contests, interim head coach BJ Callaghan has switched out all but five of the 23 players who just won the Nations League title.

Nine players on the Gold Cup roster are age 22 or younger, including Cade Cowell, who just finished leading the U.S. with three goals in the U-20 World Cup.

That makes this Gold Cup the perfect chance for some of the United States' most exciting young prospects to get playing time, as well as for McKennie and Dest to serve out their suspensions without negatively impacting the team.

Balogun, USMNT Hailed by Fans for Beating Canada in 2023 Nations League Final

Jun 19, 2023
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 18: Folarin Balogun #20 of the United States celebrates scoring during the during the first half of the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League Final against Canada at Allegiant Stadium on June 18, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by John Todd/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 18: Folarin Balogun #20 of the United States celebrates scoring during the during the first half of the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League Final against Canada at Allegiant Stadium on June 18, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by John Todd/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

With the Gold Cup right around the corner, the US men's national team is looking in prime form and is causing some mass excitement nation wide after defending its Concacaf Nations League title Sunday night against Canada at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.

It was a nearly perfect night for the Red, White and Blue as the USA's golden generation once again shone on the international stage with a 2-0 victory against their neighbors to the north.

It was goals from defender Chris Richards and striker Folarin Balogun—who was making just his second appearance with the national team—that made the difference.

The home team got off to a hot start, scoring the opening goal in the 12th minute of the first half with Richards heading in a ball off a corner kick and sending the crowd into a frenzy. Balogun then followed that up in the 34th with a delightful finish.

Richards was arguably the best player throughout the game, snuffing out whatever danger Canada posed while also being an aerial threat on set pieces.

Aside from a few nervy moments in the second half, the US seemed to be in control all night long.

What's perhaps even more impressive was that they managed to do without the presence of Weston McKennie and Sergino Dest, both of whom sat out due to red cards against Mexico on Friday night.

Twitter praised the US for the dominant performance.

The only blemish on the performance was that star midfielder Gio Reyna, who was arguably the team's best player throughout the tournament, had to be subbed off at the half after he sustained a calf injury.

Prior to coming off he had both of the assists on the two goals, making USMNT history in the process.

Now, the American focus will shift towards bringing in some more hardware in the biggest international tournament in Concacaf, the Gold Cup, with the group stage set to begin on the 24th.

They'll attempt to defend their title from 2021 when they defeated Mexico 1-0 in the final.

If the two sides meet once again there's sure to be fireworks following Friday's fiery affair.

One thing has been made clear over the last few months, however. The USA has clearly and undoubtedly become the class of the federation, the Gold Cup will just be another chance to prove it.

USMNT's Gregg Berhalter: 'There's Work to Do' Repairing Gio Reyna Relationship

Jun 16, 2023
DOHA, QATAR - DECEMBER 03: Giovanni Reyna (7) and head coach Gregg Berhalter (R) of USA during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match between Netherlands and USA at Khalifa International Stadium on December 03, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Ercin Erturk/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
DOHA, QATAR - DECEMBER 03: Giovanni Reyna (7) and head coach Gregg Berhalter (R) of USA during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match between Netherlands and USA at Khalifa International Stadium on December 03, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Ercin Erturk/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

The U.S. Soccer Federation announced Friday that it has re-hired Gregg Berhalter as head coach of the United States men's national team more than five months after his contract expired.

Berhalter's return as head coach means he'll have to repair the relationship with midfielder Gio Reyna.

During a press conference on Friday, Berhalter addressed the situation.

"I certainly acknowledge that there's work to do. Gio is an extremely talented player. I coach Gio like I coach every player," Berhalter told reporters. "I want to get the best out of him. If we unlock his talents, he's going to be a game changer for this team."

He added: "There's work to do and part of it is working together with Matt [Crocker] and trying to rebuild the relationship that we know will be important moving forward."

Berhalter had served as head coach of the USMNT since 2018 and coached the Americans to a 2021 Gold Cup title and 2021 Nations League title before a round-of-16 loss to the Netherlands at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Soon after the World Cup, Berhalter's contract expired and he became embroiled in a dispute with the Reyna family that led to an investigation into a 1992 domestic violence incident involving the USMNT manager and his now-wife, Rosalind.

Reyna's playing time at the World Cup was a hot topic. He made just two appearances and logged 53 minutes of playing time despite being one of the most talented young players on the roster.

Berhalter addressed Reyna's lack of playing time at the World Cup during a leadership summit after the tournament. He did not name Reyna specifically, saying that an unnamed player "was clearly not meeting expectations on and off the field" and that the USMNT staff contemplated sending that player home.

It later came out that Reyna was the unnamed player in question.

Reyna's mother, Danielle Reyna, admitted to alerting the USSF to the domestic violence incident involving Berhalter, telling The Athletic's Paul Tenorio that she did so "just after the news broke that Gregg had made negative statements about my son Gio at a leadership conference."

Danielle Reyna said in a statement at the time:

"As part of that conversation, I told Earnie [Stewart] that I thought it was especially unfair that Gio, who had apologized for acting immaturely about his playing time, was still being dragged through the mud when Gregg had asked for and received forgiveness for doing something so much worse at the same age. Without going into detail, the statements from yesterday significantly minimize the abuse on the night in question."

ESPN's Jeff Carlisle and Kyle Bonagura wrote that "multiple sources told ESPN [Claudio Reyna] threatened to share allegations about Berhalter's past, but Reyna has denied those allegations."

"The messages from Claudio began after his son, Gio Reyna, was informed he would have a limited role at the tournament.," according to ESPN.

Amid all of this, Berhalter admitted to kicking his now-wife Rosalind in 1992 while the two were still in college and said he sought counseling in the aftermath.

After an independent investigation of the domestic violence incident, the USSF determined that Berhalter was still eligible to resume as head coach of the USMNT.

Former assistant Anthony Hudson had served as interim manager of the USMNT after Berhalter's contract expired. However, he left earlier this month to coach Qatari club Al-Markhiya SC and was replaced by B.J. Callaghan.

Callaghan will lead the USMNT in the Nations League final against Canada on Sunday and will also see the club through the Gold Cup. Berhalter, who returns to the helm in September, said he will meet with Reyna some time after the Gold Cup.

"Meeting with me is not a priority right now," Berhalter said of Reyna. "We will meet before the September window."

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