© Adriana Zehbrauskas for The New York Times
The winger is 28, and younger teammates are rising into the high-pressure spots he has usually occupied
Usually, the second weekend of October sees Christian Pulisic flanked by compatriots as the Star-Spangled Banner plays. Last year, he was involved in US friendlies against Ecuador and Australia. But this year, with Fifa having folded the October window into September, Pulisic didn’t have the chance. On Sunday, his pre-match music was O Generosa, the Serie A anthem, which he observed with a soft smile.
Mark Twain’s first visit to Italy left him describing the country as “a vast museum of magnificence and misery”, and it’s a fitting summary of Pulisic’s three-plus years with Milan. The magnificence: 43 goals and 25 assists in 138 appearances. The misery: just one trophy since he arrived in July 2023, a 2025 Supercoppa Italia held in Saudi Arabia.
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© Photograph: Daniele Mascolo/Reuters
© Photograph: Daniele Mascolo/Reuters
© Photograph: Daniele Mascolo/Reuters
Crystal Palace’s American import had never lived anywhere but Utah before moving to London. Now, he’s aiming for more Premier League minutes
Much has changed in Zavier Gozo’s life since May.
Back then, Gozo was a day removed from learning he wasn’t among Mauricio Pochettino’s 26 selections for the World Cup, having just made what proved to be his third-to-last appearance with boyhood club Real Salt Lake.
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© Photograph: Sebastian Frej/Getty Images
© Photograph: Sebastian Frej/Getty Images
© Photograph: Sebastian Frej/Getty Images
The US have been defined for so long by the next singular player. This past perfect window shows that era may be over
In 1990, then-United States men’s national team manager Bob Gansler made a critical and somewhat controversial choice. He left three of the program’s laureled veterans at home and brought a young and little-tested team to the World Cup in Italy, the USA’s first in 40 years.
As Gansler recalled later: “I was thinking not only for ’90, but I was thinking about the 90s.”
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© Photograph: Taylor Banner/USSF/Getty Images
© Photograph: Taylor Banner/USSF/Getty Images
© Photograph: Taylor Banner/USSF/Getty Images
The United States winning four of four benefits many that were involved, and may hurt those who were left behind
Cavan Sullivan
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© Photograph: Taylor Banner/USSF/Getty Images
© Photograph: Taylor Banner/USSF/Getty Images
© Photograph: Taylor Banner/USSF/Getty Images
A chippy and at times ugly friendly nonetheless gave Mauricio Pochettino’s side four wins out of four, with another young player making the difference.
Before 1878, a referee trying to get players’ attention was left to waive a white handkerchief in the air. It was an imperfect practice, asking an infractor to be self-aware enough to look for a doffed doily after hard contact. The game forever changed when Joseph Hudson, a Birmingham-bred tool maker who founded Acme Whistles, showed up to an FA Cup match in 1878 with his signature product in tow.
On Tuesday, nearly 150 years after Hudson’s innovation, referee Steven Madrigal paid the architect a hearty tribute.
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© Photograph: Abbie Parr/AP
© Photograph: Abbie Parr/AP
© Photograph: Abbie Parr/AP
Justin Ellis scored in the first half to cap a perfect elongated international window for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
Jeff is at the game.
Meanwhile, Pablo Maurer is following the Messi farewell:
Goalkeeper feels like a re-opened competition after shaky halves from World Cup incumbents Matt Freese and Chris Brady, while Diego Kochen shone bright in his first start against Mexico. Brian Schwake will try to make his case from the opening whistle, looking to carry his fine form with Nashville into his second appearance.
I was hoping to see Auston Trusty partner with Chris Richards, as he seems like the best partner in a post-Tim Ream US side, but he looks set to deploy at left-back. That said, Alex Freeman will likely advance further up the right, and Trusty could deputize as a wide center-back in build-up phases.
Mathis Albert may not yet be a regular with Dortmund’s B-team, much less the senior side, but his dynamism throughout this camp earned him a surprise start over the more polished and proven Zavier Gozo. A fascinating chance to get a long look at another star of the program’s future.
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© Photograph: Abbie Parr/AP
© Photograph: Abbie Parr/AP
© Photograph: Abbie Parr/AP
How will the USA and Canada fare today? Here is what to know, including kick-off time, TV channels and live stream options
Basking in the glow of a 3-0 win over Mexico on Saturday, the US men’s national team are in a good place right now. A fourth straight win would make this window a resounding success for Mauricio Pochettino and his players.
Canada, however, have won their last two encounters with the USMNT, and are fresh from back-to-back victories over Chile and Peru. Jesse Marsch’s side have good reason to believe they can leave Minnesota with a third successive win.
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© Photograph: Taylor Nickerson/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock
© Photograph: Taylor Nickerson/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock
© Photograph: Taylor Nickerson/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock
The post-World Cup youth movement has paid off with historic plays that, for the moment, feel natural, sustainable and needed
From the outside, a moment like the one Cavan Sullivan produced Saturday seemed to be pulled directly from dreamland. Turns out, it pretty much was.
“I was amazed. I was excited,” the 17-year-old said of learning he’d start for the US men’s national team against Mexico, in what would become a 3-0 win. “I texted my family right after, and after lunch, I took a nap. Before I go to sleep, I visualize and try to manifest good things for the night. Some things come to fruition, some don’t.”
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© Photograph: Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images
© Photograph: Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images
© Photograph: Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images
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