GOAL reviews the major takeaways from Americans playing in Europe, including an up-turn by Pulisic and some scintillating goals

It's just been a weird season for U.S. internationals playing in Europe. There hasn't really been anything resembling consistency. Zoom out, and even with some impressive individual campaigns, team-wide success has been hard to come by. The Juventus duo of Weston McKennie and Tim Weah sit in fourth place in Serie A, perhaps the closest that any American at the highest level will end up.

But national teams don't work like that. It is possible to be a good player on a struggling team. Christian Pulsiic, once again, epitomized that. The American grabbed an assist again for Milan on Saturday, continuing what is, statistically, at least, his best season yet.

There was other good news to be found as Malik Tillman has recovered wonderfully from an ankle injury with a big comeback for PSV. Meanwhile, a duo of American center-backs neglected duties at one end, but sort of made up for it at the other by finding the net – including a stunner from the LEGO-obsessed Cameron Carter-Vickers.

It was quiet elsewhere, with Josh Sargent benched, only coming on late for Norwich. Folarin Balogun is still being worked back into the fray at Monaco. Gio Reyna proved once again why he should really leave Dortmund this summer, watching from the sidelines. And Sergino Dest was given a night off as he continued his build back from an ACL tear.

GOAL looks at the major takeaways from this weekend's Americans Abroad.

Getty Images SportChristian Pulisic's confusing campaign continues

Christian Pulisic is just puzzling at this point. Let's be honest: It's been a fantastic season for the American – at times. He has reached double-digit assists, leads Milan in scoring, and is a far more confident player than he was just 18 months ago.

But somehow, this still feels a bit underwhelming, like potential untapped. Part of it is certainly inconsistency. Pulisic picked up a knock in the winter, and endured a rough spot after the ill-advised signing of Joao Felix. But now Sergio Conceicao's affair with Felix is over, it's Pulisic's time again.

At least, it looked like it this week. The American provided his 10th assist of the season – from a corner – to double Milan's lead over Udinese. They would go on to win 4-0. Pulisic's numbers were otherwise mixed: four chances created, zero completed dribbles. He also lost the most duels of any player in the match.

Still, decisive moments are the ones that live in the memory, and he notched another one. If only Milan weren't ninth.

AdvertisementGettyMalik Tillman and the art of the timely return

Malik Tillman, done for the season. At least those were the whispers in the Dutch media after the U.S. international needed ankle surgery in January. It was all a bit doom and gloom around an attacking midfielder who had really found his mojo for PSV (arguably as much as fellow American Ricardo Pepi.)

And while Pepi is still recovering from a knee injury, Tillman is busy making his case for USMNT anager Mauricio Pochettino. The PSV man scored in his side's 5-0 demolition of Almere City Saturday afternoon. It wasn't a pretty one: a simple tap in off a parried shot. But there is something to be said for being in the right spot to react to these things.

What it means for PSV is tough to say. They are nine points off Ajax atop the table with five games to go. It would take an immense collapse for them to repeat as champions. For Tillman, then, it's a period to work his way back to full fitness and impress the USMNT manager.

The Gold Cup looks rather important. The U.S. could really do with winning this thing, which would suggest Tillman will be in the fray. A good end to the campaign, and he will be among that squad – presumably positioning himself for a run in the side long-term.

Getty Images SportCameron Carter-Vickers strikes, Chris Richards can score

OK then. Center-back goals feel a bit naughty sometimes. Really, this guy? The 6-3 lumbering bloke? He's allowed to score? They tend to be tap ins or headers, set pieces or not much beyond that.

No one seemed to tell Carter-Vickers about that vague platitude. Instead, the Celtic man carried the ball 15 yards, looked up, shrugged, and whipped the ball into the top corner from 25 yards. Totally normal behavior. Nothing to see here.

It was, of course, one of the best goals of the season, not only for the quality of the strike but also for the sheer absurdity of it all. Even Malcolm Johnston – Celtic's right-back and a CONCACAF rival – had his hands on his head in disbelief after the strike from Carter-Vickers.

That was just the 11th goal in club soccer for Carter-Vickers. Ever. Not a bad one whatsoever. Celtic won 5-1, but a late Rangers goal in another fixture denied them of the title. It's a matter of time, but this was fine entertainment while they chug along.

Crystal Palace's Chris Richards' goal was far more conventional. He ghosted into the box from a corner and nodded home from close range. It put Palace 2-0 up against Manchester City.

What happened at the other end was less flattering for the American, though, City coming from behind with a five-goal retort to batter Oliver Glasner's side, 5-2.

Getty Images SportWhat you might have missed

+ Folarin Balogun's return isn't exactly going to plan. The striker has struggled since making a comeback from shoulder surgery, and settled for minutes off the bench again this weekend. However, Monaco's 3-0 win bolster's his chance of playing Champions League football next year.

+ McKennie started in Juventus' 2-1 win over Lecce on Saturday. Igor Tudor has had a fine impact so far, and McKennie and Co. are well-positioned to make the Champions League next year.

+ Josh Sargent left his shooting boots at home in Norwich's 2-1 loss to Burnley. The American failed to make an impact off the bench.

+ Gianluca Busio's Venezia beat 20th-placed Monza, 1-0, and are (somehow) in with a shout of avoiding relegation – with 17th-placed Lecce just two points away with six games remaining.

+ Reyna watched from the bench as Dortmund managed a 2-2 draw with arch-rivals Bayern Munich.