Americans Abroad: Tim Weah looks to continue his hot streak for Juventus, AC Milan’s Christian Pulisic at full strength, will USMNT’s Matt Turner return to the mix?

Tim Weah had an odd start to the season. Hampered. by injuries and then simply omitted by new manager Thiago Motta, the versatile right midfielder found himself almost frozen out at the Italian club.

But he made his case for regular inclusion last week with an excellent showing against Inter. Coming off the left wing Weah turned in a fine performance, scoring and putting in some solid defensive work in an enthralling 4-4 draw.

And he only built on that against Parma. The Bianconeri were fairly miserable in a 2-2 draw, but little of that was Weah’s fault. He played a role in both goals, scoring and assisting to salvage an otherwise miserable showing for his side. Fitness issues limited him to just 59 minutes of action, but he seems to have done enough to earn himself more time.

With four goal involvements in just 270 minutes of play, the American has found form, and can be considered one of his side’s most apparent attacking threats this campaign. he will have another chance to impress against seventh-placed Udinese in what could be a tricky away fixture for Motta’s men.

• Fully fit Christian Pulisic looks to make his mark

  It was reported by the Italian press that Christian Pulisic would miss out on Milan’s fixture with Napoli midweek; the American apparently had the flu. But he played all the same, coming on in the 62nd minute, with AC Milan badly needing a spark. And he was largely underwhelming in his cameo, tallying 20 touches, failing to complete a dribble, and creating zero chances. Not much of the loss can be pinned on him – Napoli are a truly excellent side and sit on top of the Serie A table.

  But Pulisic will need to return to form and health this weekend. AC Milan manager Paulo Fonseca finds his job in the balance, and any loss could signal the end of his Milan tenure. Monza would seem to be a favorable fixture to right the ship. After a couple of seasons of solid mid-table football, they are currently 17th, and have won just one of their last five. If there ever was a fixture for Captain America to assert his quality once again, this could be it. Fonseca will hope he turns up with his usual quality.
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  Did Matt Turner do enough to stay in the mix?

  Matt Turner turned in a solid performance for Crystal Palace against Aston Villa midweek in the Carabao Cup. He posted eight saves in his first club start since February, and showed flashes of the kind of quality that saw him snatch the No.1 shirt for the USMNT two years ago. Manager Oliver Glasner has endured a difficult start to his first full season at Palace. And although their form is far better than their league standing might suggest, six points through nine games is a pretty miserable opening.

  There are multiple points of weakness for the Eagles, but their defense has been particularly poor. It might all leave room for Turner to earn more minutes in goal. He will certainly need to play at some point. Mauricio Pochettino has pointed out repeatedly that he is unafraid to shake things up at the helm for the U.S., and suggested that a lack of playing time at a club level could harm chances of being selected for the national side. And with Patrick Schulte impressing in goal for Columbus Crew, Turner will need to stay warm between the sticks.

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  Can Cole Campbell earn more minutes?

  Dortmund are struggling. It hasn’t quite worked for new manager Nuri Sahin, and their season went from bad to worse with a DFB-Pokal loss to Wolfsburg. Still, in that forgettable showing, a bright spot was the strong 43-minute cameo from young American Cole Campbell. The 18-year-old has risen his way through the Dortmund ranks this year, and was named in his first Bundesliga matchday squad last week in a 2-1 loss to Augsburg.

  Campbell played just two minutes that day, but could be in line for far more. The injuries are racking up for Sahin, and with little depth at Campbell’s preferred right-wing position, there might be room for further minutes for the teenager. Whether it be necessary relief for tired legs, or a final roll of the dice for a manager on his way out, the young American could be in with a shout for some more game time.