GOAL looks at the biggest storylines among Americans Abroad, including Pulisic and Robinson in major matches
With just weeks remaining in the season, desperation is setting in across Europe as teams scramble for three crucial points. Even the smallest mistake could have major consequences – whether it's qualifying for European competition in 2025-26 or simply staying in the top flight. For several key American players, the pressure is especially intense.
In Italy, Christian Pulisic is going to need to step up big as the desperately need three points. The U.S. international leads the club in a combined goals and assists across 2024-25 with nine goals and eight assists, and come Sunday, will need to wear his best boots as Milan take on Atalanta in the . Coming into the match, he's notched two assists in his last two appearances, but has not found the back of the net since March 15 – a 2-1 win over Como.
In England, meanwhile, several storylines are unfolding.
Chris Richards and Crystal Palace host Tyler Adams and Bournemouth in Premier League action on Sunday as the look to snap a two-game losing streak – a stretch where they have conceded 10 goals. Richards, who scored against Manchester City last weekend, will look to bounce back defensively as he clashes with the who, last weekend, won their first match across all competitions since Feb. 15.
Also on Sunday, Antonee Robinson and Fulham will have one of their most difficult tests yet on the calendar as they host Cole Palmer and Chelsea. The will be in desperate need for a victory as they continue their climb up the table in search of Champions League soccer in 2025-26. The , meanwhile, are looking to bounce back from a defeat to Adams and Bournemouth last weekend, while Robinson himself will have his hands full with the tricky Palmer operating on his flank of the pitch.
GOAL looks ahead at some of the biggest storylines to follow among Americans Abroad this weekend.
GettyRichards and Adams clash
Neither Bournemouth or Palace have played particularly well of late, and both are desperate for a victory this weekend. The have fallen out of the top six in the league, down to eighth in the standings, while Palace are on the outside looking in, sitting in 12th – just five points behind Bournemouth.
For Richards and the , following two rather horrid defensive showings, conceding 10 in that stretch. They'll look to bounce back with a proper performance and get back to defending like they did during their seven-game unbeaten streak from February to March, where they conceded just four goals. For Adams and the , however, a win this weekend could up their chances of securing European football in the 2025-26 campaign. They trail sixth-place Chelsea by six points, and a win on Saturday would cut that deficit in half.
It's a clash between two of the USMNT's finest, but at the club level, there are bigger implications.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportRobinson to have hands full with Palmer
Antonee Robinson had a poor showing in their loss to Bournemouth last weekend. Off the rip, he was beaten by Antoine Semenyo for the eventual winning goal and although he recovered well, it was a moment that defined the contest. One week prior, though, he had a performance of the season candidate as the defeated Liverpool 3-2, and he kept Mohamed Salah quiet nearly all evening.
The U.S. fullback will need to replicate that showing on Sunday against the . Palmer will keep him occupied throughout the game, but he'll also have to worry about the likes of Neto or Noni Madueke on the right side of Chelsea's attack. All three specialize in tight spaces on the ball, meaning it will be a showing where Robinson will need to be at his best defensively. However, where Fulham will really need him is in the attack.
Robinson has not recorded an assist since Feb 1. after a breakout first half of the season. Could this be the weekend where he leads Fulham to glory over another member of the "Big Six," or will he struggle against a talented Chelsea attack?
Getty Images SportPulisic's Milan face must-win derby
Milan's 2024-25 season hero, Pulisic needs to have a near season-best performance to lift the this weekend. They sit ninth in Serie A, and a loss could have massive implications in the race for UCL soccer next season.
Atalanta, who sit third in the standings, have a 10-point lead over Milan – but three points could see Pulisic and Co. move up to sixth in the standings, closing the gap on a top-four finish that would secure them a berth in the UCL come next campaign.
Their best performance in months came last weekend in a 4-0 win over Udinese, and they've found results in five of their last six matches in Serie A – meaning they're in relatively decent form. However, they need more from their American star as the campaign winds down. Since the start of February, he's scored just three goals – two of which came against relegation-threatened Lecce.
This is a contest where Pulisic's goal scoring could make a significant difference, especially against one of Serie A's better defensive sides.
AFPAround the continent
+ Folarin Balogun's Monaco clash with in-form Strasbourg Saturday afternoon in Ligue 1 action. Liam Rosenoir's side are nine unbeaten and since the start of 2025, boast a record of 10-1-3, and trail second-place Monaco by just three points in fifth place. Since making his return from injury in March, Balogun has come off the bench three times, playing 38 minutes.
+ In a Serie A relegation battle, Gianluca Busio's Venezia clash with Empoli on Sunday as the 18th and 19th place teams in Italy – who sit level on 24 points each – meet up in a crucial game as the season nears conclusion.
+ Paxten Aaronson's FC Utrecht host Ajax on Sunday. With three points, Utrecht could move into the top three spots of the Eredivisie, while handing the league leaders a blow in their race to claim the regular season title.
