Pulisic, McKennie, Musah and Weah all play, but none could break the deadlock in the scoreless Serie A draw
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Milan and Juve draw 0-0McKennie, Musah startPulisic, Weah come off benchWHAT HAPPENED?
Two of the four USMNT stars were in their clubs' starting XIs, with Weston McKennie starting for Juventus and Yunus Musah in the AC Milan lineup. Christian Pulisic was named to the bench, reportedly due to fatigue, while Tim Weah, too, was among the substitutes.
Both Pulisic and Weah were tossed into the fray in the second half as both teams searched for an attacking threat. While there was plenty of hype leading up to the match, particularly in the U.S., the actual game itself never got particularly close, as both teams failed to score in a dull 0-0 draw in Milan.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesUSMNT IMPACT
The match comes just days after the four USMNT players returned from national team duty, with all four shining particularly in the second leg of the CONCACAF Nation's League quarterfinal against Jamaica. Pulisic scored a goal and created an own goal, while Weah got a goal of his own. McKennie, meanwhile, assisted Pulisic's opener and Musah, ironically, teed up Weah for his second-half finish.
Under new coach Mauricio Pochettino, all four are expected to be key players. Pulisic is, of course, the USMNT's best player, with his form in Milan this season further confirming that. McKennie and Musah, meanwhile, are carving out roles in midfield, with the latter serving as a versatile weapon under Pochettino.
As for Weah, he made his first appearance under the Argentine in the USMNT's second leg against Jamaica, and his goal served as a good example of what he can bring to the team with the new boss at the helm.
AFPGOAL'S RATINGS
Weston McKennie (5/10):
Was chucked into a newer role, playing much higher due to the absence of Dusan Vlahovic. That often left a bit of a hole up top without that regular striker, although McKennie did have a few good runs in there.
Yunus Musah (5/10):
Much like he has with the USMNT, started on the right-wing opposite Rafael Leao on the other side. Didn't really add much to the attack, but did help right-back Emerson Royal contain Juve wonderkid Kenan Yildiz for most of the match.
Christian Pulisic (6/10):
Brought in to replace Ruben Loftus-Cheek as Milan turned to their best attacker so far this season. Unfortunately for them, Pulisic couldn't quite turn the tide. He had a few tidy moments on the ball, but nothing particularly decisive.
Tim Weah (6/10):
With no recognized striker in the starting XI, Thiago Motta turned to Weah late to give the team a designated attacking player up top. Given only 10-ish minutes to work, though, Weah only had a handful of touches.
Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Neither side will be particularly happy with the draw given the tight race at the top of Serie A. Inter, for the moment, sit atop the league with 28 points, with Napoli, Atalanta, Fiorentina, Lazio and Juve all within three points at the moment. Milan, meanwhile, are now nine points back in the Scudetto race, although the Rossoneri do have a game in hand.
