It’ll come as a surprise to many, but since the Premier League’s inaugural 1992-93 season, 22 American footballers have gone on to score in England's top division. Sure, only eight of them have managed more than two goals, but we’re also the only nation to have had two goalkeepers score in the EPL. There’s no surer sign of a country’s footballing might.
It was only a matter of time before Christian Pulisic became one of the most expensive American soccer players of all time. Ultimately it was Chelsea that pulled the trigger on the Borussia Dortmund 20-year-old in January 2019, shattering the record for a U.S. soccer player, whether or not you think he was overpriced.
Chelsea notched up their first win under Thomas Tuchel on Sunday with a 2-0 victory over Burnley thanks to goals by Spanish defenders César Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso who have both been given a chance to shine under the German coach.
Azpilicueta was entrusted with a place in Chelsea's starting lineup by Tuchel in his two games since replacing Frank Lampard and he scored with an angled shot in the 40th minute after sprinting 80 yards to seize on a lay-off by Callum Hudson-Odoi.
What could have been a showcase battle between two Americans on Saturday turned into a horror show for one of them as Chelsea defeated 10-man Fulham 1-0 at Craven Cottage. Neither American had a particularly good day at the park, but the Antonee Robinson red card vs Chelsea proved killer for Fulham.
Given the fact that Christian Pulisic had already missed time this year because of a calf strain, major hamstring tear and subsequent hamstring complaint, it was surprising to see the American in Chelsea’s starting lineup on Monday after going the full 90 against Arsenal on Saturday, but it affirmed the fact that Frank Lampard saw the American as a lone bright spot in that 3-1 defeat.
Wolverhampton handed Chelsea a second defeat in the span of three days with a dramatic 2-1 victory on Tuesday.
The two clubs left all of the drama and action for the second half. In the opening 45 minutes, the best opportunity fell Chelsea’s way on the stroke of halftime when Kurt Zouma's header rattled off the crossbar.
What a day for Americans abroad, all capped off by a well-taken Christian Pulisic goal vs Leeds United on Saturday.
Chelsea flexed its superiority with a comfortable 4-0 victory against Sevilla on Wednesday in the Champions League to claim Group E’s top spot. Four top-class Olivier Giroud goals vs Sevilla got the job done for the Blues.
The London club came into the fixture on a 14-game unbeaten streak in all competitions and immediately put the pressure on Sevilla after the first whistle. In the eighth minute Kai Havertz found open space to dribble before laying the ball off to Giroud, who finished the chance beautifully.
A hamstring injury will prevent star forward Christian Pulisic from participating in the U.S. men's national team's friendlies against Wales and Panama.
Coach Gregg Berhalter told reporters on a video call Wednesday that the 22-year-old Pulisic was leaving the team's European camp to return to Chelsea, his professional club in the Premier League.
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard said Christian Pulisic's hamstring injury is not serious but the American winger will miss Wednesday's Champions League match at home to Stade Rennais.
Pulisic, who had returned in early October from a two-month injury layoff, pulled up his hamstring during the warm-up for the match at Burnley on Saturday, with Timo Werner replacing him on the left wing in Chelsea's 3-0 victory at Turf Moor.