Pulisic and McKennie Make Champions League History for USMNT

Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie became the first two US internationals to score on the same day in the UEFA Champions League, Europe’s top competition which returns on Tuesday.

Pulisic scored AC Milan’s early opener in their Champions League clash with Liverpool, shortly after McKennie scored Juventus’ second in a 3-1 win over PSV Eindhoven in an earlier match.

The match at San Siro had barely been underway for three minutes when Pulisic played a one-two with Álvaro Morata, storming down the right flank and firing the ball into the far bottom corner.

It was a fitting way for Pulisic, who turns 26 on Wednesday, to celebrate his birthday. But Milan couldn’t make the most of Pulisic’s early goal and ultimately lost 3-1.

“It’s a bad result for us,” Pulisic told Sky Italy. “We have to find solutions, improve and win games.”

“We had energy at certain moments, but I have to watch the game again. It seems like we can’t get going, can’t keep the ball in the opponent’s half.”

This result means that Milan have only one win in their first five games of this season.

“Yes, it’s a difficult start (to the season). We’re not happy with it. We have to change things and improve.”

Pulisic became the first American to play in a Champions League final when he won the competition with Chelsea in 2021.

Three other Americans were also in the running on the opening day of the revamped Champions League, with Ricardo Pepi, Malik Tillman and Richie Ledezma playing for PSV. More of their compatriots, such as Borussia Dortmund’s Gio Reyna and injured Juventus forward Tim Weah, could feature in the competition later this week or beyond.

With so many players playing at the highest club level, that can only be good news for new U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino as the Americans prepare for a home World Cup in 2026.

Pulisic moved to Milan before the start of last season and made an impressive debut for the Italian club, scoring 15 goals in all competitions.

With this, Pulisic became the first midfielder to score more than 10 goals for Milan (excluding penalties) since Kaka in the 2005–06 season.

Kaka was at the San Siro for Tuesday’s match and gave a brief speech to Rossoneri fans before kick-off. The former Brazil international — and World Cup winner — spent six seasons with Milan, where he last won the Champions League title in 2007.

Pulisic has also made an excellent start to this season, with two goals and two assists in Milan’s opening four Serie A games.

Milan will play their next match against city rivals Inter on Sunday.

“Yes, it’s obviously a big game,” Pulisic said. “We have to be ready to fight and give everything, because we can make the difference.”

Information from ESPN Stats & Information and The Associated Press contributed to this report.