American Players Abroad

If you Google “Tyler Boyd” you’re going to be given results about some American football player who will never earn the love and admiration of Turkish soccer fans. The real Tyler Boyd, the New Zealand-born USMNT winger, is finally starting to win over those in Istanbul. 

Tyler Boyd, the soccer player, joined Turkish club Beşiktaş in July, shortly after switching international allegiances from the country of his birth and father (New Zealand) to the country of his mother (U.S.). 

Christian Pulisic finally opened his Premier League account last week with a perfect hat trick against Burnley in his seventh league appearance with Chelsea. He couldn’t wait to add to it on Saturday.

After being denied by a ridiculous save in the first half, Pulisic made no mistake in the second, netting the winner in Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Watford at Vicarage Road.

An hour into Christian Pulisic’s first Premier League start since August, Chelsea fans in the away end at Turf Moor were chanting “USA! USA! USA!” That’s what happens when you become the second American to score an EPL hat trick.

Christian Pulisic hadn’t started a Premier League match since August and many stateside started to wonder why Frank Lampard hates America. Well, Lampard has seen the light shining sea to shining sea and was rewarded with a brilliant Pulisic goal vs Burnley on Saturday. The 21-year-old American added a second as Chelsea led 2-0 at halftime. 

Some big news coming out of UEFA Youth League Group F on Wednesday — perhaps the biggest UEFA Youth League Group F news we’ve ever presented on the hallowed pages of The18: In the group’s early match, 18-year-old American winger Konrad de la Fuente scored two great goals as Barcelona thumped Slavia Prague 4-0. Later in the day, Inter Milan responded to Borussia Dortmund’s early goal with four unanswered, but that Dortmund opener was scored by Youssoufa Moukoko.

In a very defensive Champions League matchup, Chelsea handed Ajax its first loss of the season in all competitions.

Michy Batshuayi subbed in for forward Tammy Abraham in the 71st minute and he did not waste time attempting to get on the board. After receiving a tipped pass in prime position in front of the box, the Belgian sent the ball into the nosebleeds.

Fifteen minutes later, with a little help from fellow sub Christian Pulisic, he had a chance at redemption.

One can never presume to know what goes through the minds of executives at networks like NBC, Fox, ESPN and TNT who decide which matches to show on TV.

After three straight matches as an unused substitute, Christian Pulisic made his first Premier League appearance since Aug. 31 when coming on in the 80th minute of Chelsea’s 4-1 victory over Southampton on Sunday. 

The bad news for Pulisic is that the players above him in the pecking order all played well: Mason Mount scored a goal; Callum Hudson-Odoi and Willian picked up assists. The good news for Pulisic is that he made the most of his 10 minutes on the pitch.

The European transfer window has been closed for 31 days now, which is just enough time for layman to speak in absolutes. Of course we’re primarily talking about 21-year-old American Christian Pulisic, who had a solid game and an assist versus Norwich back on Aug. 24 before his career was ended by not making the 18 against Lille yesterday.

It doesn’t matter that wide attacking players like… 

Liverpool and RB Salzburg played a frenzied game of Champions League football on Wednesday. It was the sort of match that makes you question everything — from Virgil van Dijk’s shaky status as godhead to Erling Braut Håland’s growing status as Pelé.