Pulisic and McKennie: opposite pathways lead USMNT stars to Juventus vs. Milan | OneFootball

Serie A’s current top scorer, Christian Pulisic, faces off against fellow American Weston McKennie as Juventus host Milan this evening, but the two arrive at the showdown in very different form.

American stars Pulisic and McKennie are expected to start at the Allianz Stadium this evening, when Juventus host table leaders Milan.

Pulisic has had the best start to the season in his career and is the top scorer in Serie A with four goals. The American has already contributed to 46 goals since joining the Rossoneri from Chelsea in the summer of 2023.

Massimiliano Allegri has switched to a three-man defence this season, giving Pulisic an even more attacking role as the American has been deployed as an attacking midfielder or support striker in his seven matches across all competitions.

Pulisic has covered any possible role during his stay at Milan, from left and right winger to support striker and attacking midfielder.

Pulisic and McKennie’s versatility for Milan and Juventus

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 28: Christian Pulisic of AC Milan celebrates after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and SSC Napoli at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Versatility surely is a common trait with his compatriot McKennie, who has also covered a number of different roles during his time at Juventus, including this season.

The ex-Leeds loanee has mostly been deployed as a central midfielder or right midfielder in recent months under Igor Tudor, but contrary to Pulisic, he’s not a regular starter in Turin, and his future at the club seems in doubt.

The 27-year-old’s contract, in fact, expires at the end of the season, but the two parties are nowhere near reaching an agreement, as Football Italia already reported in July.

McKennie has been playing for Juventus since 2020 and appeared to be out of the project multiple times.

The American spent the second part of the 2022-23 season on loan at Leeds United, but then returned to the Allianz Stadium at the end of that season and continued getting regular playing time.

McKennie in and out at Juventus

TURIN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 27: Marten de Roon of Atalanta BC battles for possession with Weston McKennie of Juventus during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and Atalanta BC at the Allianz Stadium on September 27, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

He was supposed to leave even in the summer of 2024 under Thiago Motta, but he eventually reached an agreement to extend his contract to 2026, and he eventually made 48 appearances across all competitions, scoring five goals and providing four assists.

In the current campaign, he’s made three appearances as a starter and three as a substitute, but has no goal contributions yet.

His compatriot Pulisic surely is more prolific, but McKennie has already scored one goal against Milan, in the 2020-21 season, while the Rossoneri star has yet to score a goal in a competitive match against the Bianconeri.