2025-2026 European Football Thread
- Thread starter Portland Frog
- Start date
Purp
Active Member
Didn't catch this in time. Any high points? I'm sure I'll read about it later.
Chongo94
Active Member
Just posted a replay. I was only able to catch 15 minutes of it earlier so I can’t say much but some of the questions being asked of him were pertinent thought provoking I thought and I wanted to hear more.
I plan on watching that replay myself later this evening.
Moose Stuff
Active Member
One of the more remarkable results I’ve ever seen late last night in the women’s U20 World Cup. The US trailing 2-0 scored at 7:05 and 8:25 of the 8 minutes of second half added time and then won 3-1 on PK’s to beat Germany and move on to the semis. Both goal scorers play for current #3 Florida St. Can’t imagine how good they’d be with those 2 not missing.
Purp
Active Member
That's a wild finish and a ridiculous collection of talent in Tallahassee.
Purp
Active Member
Puli had a strong weekend. I was able to follow the first 20ish minutes and he was very involved in the attack. Had an assist and could have had a couple more. Looks like he scored again later. Granted, it was against Venezia, but he was the most dangerous player on the pitch.
Weah got some run for Juve again, but McKennie still hasn't seen the pitch there. His situation is very frustrating. He's now fighting for minutes and attention under a 3rd manager who starts out with no faith in him. I suspect he'll eventually prove his value, but it surprises me his track record isn't worth more than it is.
Weah got some run for Juve again, but McKennie still hasn't seen the pitch there. His situation is very frustrating. He's now fighting for minutes and attention under a 3rd manager who starts out with no faith in him. I suspect he'll eventually prove his value, but it surprises me his track record isn't worth more than it is.
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Moose Stuff
Active Member
Slight correction as the second goal was from a FORMER FSU player. That being said there are also 3 additional current FSU girls on this team. Pretty insane.
Morado Muerte
Active Member
I turned it off after the 2nd German goal. Looked at the headlines this morning and was absolutely shocked. Not sure weather to be happy or pissed. Probably both. Heck of a comeback though!
Purp
Active Member
Good day for Champions League Americans today.
McKennie scored in the 27th minute to help Juve beat PSV and played 75 minutes. Weah and Pepi did come on as subs. I didn't notice earlier, but Richie Ladezma also started for PSV at right back.
Puli with a 3rd minute goal against Liverpool in the ECL continues his strong run of form. He's picking up right where he left off last season. He's in the form of his life.
McKennie scored in the 27th minute to help Juve beat PSV and played 75 minutes. Weah and Pepi did come on as subs. I didn't notice earlier, but Richie Ladezma also started for PSV at right back.
Puli with a 3rd minute goal against Liverpool in the ECL continues his strong run of form. He's picking up right where he left off last season. He's in the form of his life.
dawg
Active Member
Also... was that announcer on sedatives? And its two. A goal. I've just won a million dollars. The excitement ringing in my voice.
Purp
Active Member
Whoever Liverpool had at center back there made an 8U mistake and left him space to dribble in on goal. That guy needs his head examined. You've got to address the guy with the ball first. He's always most dangerous. Great finish, though. Very composed.
dawg
Active Member
Konate, who is prone to switch off from time to time. He made up for it, though, by equalizing later. Puli's goal looks the lone 1H highlight for Milan: they've been outshot 6-0 since (all on target) and now trail 2-1.
Moose Stuff
Active Member
Ha! I turned it off at 90 +5. Was STUNNED at the result.
Purp
Active Member
Strong weekend for the Yanks in Europe. Tillman may be the most important player for PSV just like Puli may be doing at AC Milan. Aaronson has endeared himself again with Leeds fans too. He's had an impact every weekend in the new campaign too. Not mentioned here, McKennie got his 2nd consecutive start at Weah got some run at striker for Juve.
Busio also scored for Venezia. You can see it in the 2nd link. It's more a case of mediocre defending and a lucky bounce than a great strike, but he's been a fixture for Venezia for a long time. He appears healthy and involved again and he's succeeding without Tessmann securing the center of the park, who I thought would be a huge loss for them.
sbisoccer.com
sbisoccer.com
Busio also scored for Venezia. You can see it in the 2nd link. It's more a case of mediocre defending and a lucky bounce than a great strike, but he's been a fixture for Venezia for a long time. He appears healthy and involved again and he's succeeding without Tessmann securing the center of the park, who I thought would be a huge loss for them.
Americans Abroad Player of the Week: Malik Tillman - SBI Soccer
Malik Tillman's impactful start to the Eredivisie season continued Sunday as PSV remained unbeaten.
sbisoccer.com
Gianluca Busio caps 100th Venezia appearance with winning goal - SBI Soccer
Gianluca Busio’s memorable day with Venezia was capped off with the American midfielder delivering the winning goal for the club.
sbisoccer.com
dawg
Active Member
Cap getting more love for his strong start to the season in Milan.
www.theguardian.com
Milan – and their under pressure manager Paulo Fonseca – simply had to win Sunday’s Derby della Madonnina and Christian Pulisic ensured they did. The American’s dribble and finish to open the scoring against Inter after only 10 minutes set the tone for the Rossoneri. It was the highlight reel moment of the match and Pulisic was the best player on the pitch too.
Milan supporters are used to Pulisic being their best player by now. The winger registered 20 goal involvements (12 goals and eight assists) in his maiden Serie A season and has started this campaign in even better form, notching three goals and two assists in just five games. Fonseca has endured a difficult start as Milan manager, but it would have been much worse if not for Pulisic.
Seen as the brightest American star of his generation ever since his breakthrough at Borussia Dortmund as a teenager, Pulisic’s career path has meandered. Chelsea wasn’t the right club for his development. The only thing that outweighed the false dawns Pulisic experienced at Stamford Bridge was the injuries.
Ultimately, though, Pulisic has become the player we all thought he would be. He is the US’s best – maybe even its best ever. Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey may have something to say about that, but no American has ever operated on the level Pulisic is at for Milan. He has never been better.
The numbers back this up. Pulisic’s current average of 2.8 key passes per 90 minutes is a career high, and only one player in Serie A is averaging more this season. His progressive carries are up (4.5 per 90 minutes from 3.8), as are his tackles (1.5 per 90 minutes from 1.2). It’s not just Pulisic’s attacking quality that is catching the eye, it’s his defensive work rate too.
Stefano Pioli’s transition-heavy approach was good for Pulisic as he settled into a new club – and a new country – last season. Milan liked to play into open space and that suited the American, who was frequently denied that room to work in at Chelsea. Fonseca, however, has traditionally favoured a more possession-oriented approach. There were concerns over Pulisic’s suitability.
Fonseca made comments about using Pulisic as a No 10 during the summer, moving him more into the centre of the pitch. This spoke to the Portuguese’s tactical uncertainty over the players he’d inherited, but also the importance of Pulisic to the Rossoneri. If there’s one player Milan would want to have more influence in central areas, it’s Pulisic. They want him on the ball as much as possible.
After starting Pulisic as a No 10 in the opening match of the season, Fonseca quickly returned the American to his usual right-wing position. Sunday’s derby, however, saw the American make an impact through the centre. Indeed, it was clearly designed for Pulisic to play narrowly and exploit the space behind the Inter backline. The ploy worked.
This tactic may not work so well against other opponents, but Pulisic also demonstrated his threat on the outside by scoring against Liverpool in the Champions League just a few days before beating Inter. While Milan would go on to lose to Liverpool, Pulisic’s goal to make it 1-0 saw Kostas Tsimikas brutally punished for vacating the full-back area. The finish was an arrow into the far corner.
At Chelsea, Pulisic was often guilty of taking too many touches. He would slow down attacking moves in a way that limited his own threat. Since joining Milan, though, Pulisic has quickened his play. He is making faster decisions and putting up better numbers as a result. At his current rate, Pulisic will break the 20-goal mark for the first time in his career this season.
Fast and furious Pulisic is the best version of Pulisic. There is a fire that burns within the 26-year-old and it came out not just in the directness of the two goals against Inter and Liverpool, but the celebrations after them. Any time that fire is extinguished, so too is Pulisic’s ability to decide a match. He plays best pissed off.
Mauricio Pochettino will have watched Pulisic’s recent performances with interest. The Argentinian will take charge of his first camp as the new head coach of the US men’s national team next month and Pulisic, barring an injury, will be there. He is a central pillar for the USMNT. At a time when the development of several of the USA’s best players has stalled (see Gio Reyna, Tyler Adams and Folarin Balogun), Pulisic is bucking the trend, which is just as well ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
The burden of expectation has been heavy on Pulisic for years, but he is having no problem carrying it for club and country right now. It may have taken him longer to get to this point than was originally envisaged, but the US’s best player is also one of the best in a ‘Big Five’ European league for one of the biggest clubs in the world. Pulisic has made it.
Milan supporters are used to Pulisic being their best player by now. The winger registered 20 goal involvements (12 goals and eight assists) in his maiden Serie A season and has started this campaign in even better form, notching three goals and two assists in just five games. Fonseca has endured a difficult start as Milan manager, but it would have been much worse if not for Pulisic.
Seen as the brightest American star of his generation ever since his breakthrough at Borussia Dortmund as a teenager, Pulisic’s career path has meandered. Chelsea wasn’t the right club for his development. The only thing that outweighed the false dawns Pulisic experienced at Stamford Bridge was the injuries.
Ultimately, though, Pulisic has become the player we all thought he would be. He is the US’s best – maybe even its best ever. Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey may have something to say about that, but no American has ever operated on the level Pulisic is at for Milan. He has never been better.
The numbers back this up. Pulisic’s current average of 2.8 key passes per 90 minutes is a career high, and only one player in Serie A is averaging more this season. His progressive carries are up (4.5 per 90 minutes from 3.8), as are his tackles (1.5 per 90 minutes from 1.2). It’s not just Pulisic’s attacking quality that is catching the eye, it’s his defensive work rate too.
Stefano Pioli’s transition-heavy approach was good for Pulisic as he settled into a new club – and a new country – last season. Milan liked to play into open space and that suited the American, who was frequently denied that room to work in at Chelsea. Fonseca, however, has traditionally favoured a more possession-oriented approach. There were concerns over Pulisic’s suitability.
Fonseca made comments about using Pulisic as a No 10 during the summer, moving him more into the centre of the pitch. This spoke to the Portuguese’s tactical uncertainty over the players he’d inherited, but also the importance of Pulisic to the Rossoneri. If there’s one player Milan would want to have more influence in central areas, it’s Pulisic. They want him on the ball as much as possible.
After starting Pulisic as a No 10 in the opening match of the season, Fonseca quickly returned the American to his usual right-wing position. Sunday’s derby, however, saw the American make an impact through the centre. Indeed, it was clearly designed for Pulisic to play narrowly and exploit the space behind the Inter backline. The ploy worked.
This tactic may not work so well against other opponents, but Pulisic also demonstrated his threat on the outside by scoring against Liverpool in the Champions League just a few days before beating Inter. While Milan would go on to lose to Liverpool, Pulisic’s goal to make it 1-0 saw Kostas Tsimikas brutally punished for vacating the full-back area. The finish was an arrow into the far corner.
At Chelsea, Pulisic was often guilty of taking too many touches. He would slow down attacking moves in a way that limited his own threat. Since joining Milan, though, Pulisic has quickened his play. He is making faster decisions and putting up better numbers as a result. At his current rate, Pulisic will break the 20-goal mark for the first time in his career this season.
Fast and furious Pulisic is the best version of Pulisic. There is a fire that burns within the 26-year-old and it came out not just in the directness of the two goals against Inter and Liverpool, but the celebrations after them. Any time that fire is extinguished, so too is Pulisic’s ability to decide a match. He plays best pissed off.
Mauricio Pochettino will have watched Pulisic’s recent performances with interest. The Argentinian will take charge of his first camp as the new head coach of the US men’s national team next month and Pulisic, barring an injury, will be there. He is a central pillar for the USMNT. At a time when the development of several of the USA’s best players has stalled (see Gio Reyna, Tyler Adams and Folarin Balogun), Pulisic is bucking the trend, which is just as well ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
The burden of expectation has been heavy on Pulisic for years, but he is having no problem carrying it for club and country right now. It may have taken him longer to get to this point than was originally envisaged, but the US’s best player is also one of the best in a ‘Big Five’ European league for one of the biggest clubs in the world. Pulisic has made it.
Fast and furious: this is the best version of Christian Pulisic weâve ever seen
The burden of expectation has been heavy for years, but the American is having no problem carrying it for club and country right now
www.theguardian.com
Purp
Active Member
Every time I've watched Milan this season he's been the most dangerous player on the pitch. Strangely, Leao has hardly been noticeable. Hopefully he gets it going and they can compete for trophies.Cap getting more love for his strong start to the season in Milan.
Milan – and their under pressure manager Paulo Fonseca – simply had to win Sunday’s Derby della Madonnina and Christian Pulisic ensured they did. The American’s dribble and finish to open the scoring against Inter after only 10 minutes set the tone for the Rossoneri. It was the highlight reel moment of the match and Pulisic was the best player on the pitch too.
Milan supporters are used to Pulisic being their best player by now. The winger registered 20 goal involvements (12 goals and eight assists) in his maiden Serie A season and has started this campaign in even better form, notching three goals and two assists in just five games. Fonseca has endured a difficult start as Milan manager, but it would have been much worse if not for Pulisic.
Seen as the brightest American star of his generation ever since his breakthrough at Borussia Dortmund as a teenager, Pulisic’s career path has meandered. Chelsea wasn’t the right club for his development. The only thing that outweighed the false dawns Pulisic experienced at Stamford Bridge was the injuries.
Ultimately, though, Pulisic has become the player we all thought he would be. He is the US’s best – maybe even its best ever. Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey may have something to say about that, but no American has ever operated on the level Pulisic is at for Milan. He has never been better.
The numbers back this up. Pulisic’s current average of 2.8 key passes per 90 minutes is a career high, and only one player in Serie A is averaging more this season. His progressive carries are up (4.5 per 90 minutes from 3.8), as are his tackles (1.5 per 90 minutes from 1.2). It’s not just Pulisic’s attacking quality that is catching the eye, it’s his defensive work rate too.
Stefano Pioli’s transition-heavy approach was good for Pulisic as he settled into a new club – and a new country – last season. Milan liked to play into open space and that suited the American, who was frequently denied that room to work in at Chelsea. Fonseca, however, has traditionally favoured a more possession-oriented approach. There were concerns over Pulisic’s suitability.
Fonseca made comments about using Pulisic as a No 10 during the summer, moving him more into the centre of the pitch. This spoke to the Portuguese’s tactical uncertainty over the players he’d inherited, but also the importance of Pulisic to the Rossoneri. If there’s one player Milan would want to have more influence in central areas, it’s Pulisic. They want him on the ball as much as possible.
After starting Pulisic as a No 10 in the opening match of the season, Fonseca quickly returned the American to his usual right-wing position. Sunday’s derby, however, saw the American make an impact through the centre. Indeed, it was clearly designed for Pulisic to play narrowly and exploit the space behind the Inter backline. The ploy worked.
This tactic may not work so well against other opponents, but Pulisic also demonstrated his threat on the outside by scoring against Liverpool in the Champions League just a few days before beating Inter. While Milan would go on to lose to Liverpool, Pulisic’s goal to make it 1-0 saw Kostas Tsimikas brutally punished for vacating the full-back area. The finish was an arrow into the far corner.
At Chelsea, Pulisic was often guilty of taking too many touches. He would slow down attacking moves in a way that limited his own threat. Since joining Milan, though, Pulisic has quickened his play. He is making faster decisions and putting up better numbers as a result. At his current rate, Pulisic will break the 20-goal mark for the first time in his career this season.
Fast and furious Pulisic is the best version of Pulisic. There is a fire that burns within the 26-year-old and it came out not just in the directness of the two goals against Inter and Liverpool, but the celebrations after them. Any time that fire is extinguished, so too is Pulisic’s ability to decide a match. He plays best pissed off.
Mauricio Pochettino will have watched Pulisic’s recent performances with interest. The Argentinian will take charge of his first camp as the new head coach of the US men’s national team next month and Pulisic, barring an injury, will be there. He is a central pillar for the USMNT. At a time when the development of several of the USA’s best players has stalled (see Gio Reyna, Tyler Adams and Folarin Balogun), Pulisic is bucking the trend, which is just as well ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
The burden of expectation has been heavy on Pulisic for years, but he is having no problem carrying it for club and country right now. It may have taken him longer to get to this point than was originally envisaged, but the US’s best player is also one of the best in a ‘Big Five’ European league for one of the biggest clubs in the world. Pulisic has made it.
Fast and furious: this is the best version of Christian Pulisic weâve ever seen
The burden of expectation has been heavy for years, but the American is having no problem carrying it for club and country right now
If we can just get Gio through his doldrums like we have Puli to the point where Gio realizes his full potential we may actually start scoring goals like our talent should be capable of.
