Red-hot Pulisic matches McKennie to become the USMNT’s joint-top scorer in Serie A

Christian Pulisic netted his ninth Serie A goal for AC Milan in Sunday’s 3-1 win against Hellas Verona at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi, moving him level with USMNT teammate and Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie for most goals by an American in Italy's top division.

Last year’s summer signing from Chelsea could have opened the scoring for Stefano Pioli’s side in the 23rd minute but had his well-taken shot come back off the crossbar.

Theo Hernandez put the Rossoneri 1-0 up just before the break before Pulisic netted five minutes after the interlude, slotting home into an empty net after Lorenzo Montipo parried Noah Okafor’s shot into his path.

The forward has scored in his last four Milan outings in all competitions, including two Serie A games, to continue an impressive debut campaign with the club in which he has matched his best scoring season in the top-five European leagues — nine with Chelsea in 2019-20.

Sunday’s goal at the Bentegodi was Pulisic’s ninth in Italy’s top division, moving him level with USMNT teammate McKennie, whose nine strikes have come in three of his four seasons with the Old Lady.

McKennie netted five times in his debut Serie A 2020-21season with the Bianconeri, three the following season and one in 2022-23.

The 25-year-old midfielder is yet to find the back of the net this season for Massimiliano Allegri’s side, although he has set up seven goals heading into the campaign’s final stretch.

Pulisic was the match-winner on Sunday, as Milan opened a three-point lead on McKennie’s third-placed Juventus, who could only draw in a scoreless game with Genoa in Turin.

The pair join up with the USMNT squad for the international break, with the Americans facing Jamaica in the CONCACAF Nations League at the AT&T Stadium on March 22.