Americans Abroad: Pepi and Adams return as Pulisic and Balogun shine

Returns defined the weekend for several USMNT regulars. Ricardo Pepi and Tyler Adams both came back from injury, Christian Pulisic returned to Milan’s starting XI, and Folarin Balogun scored his first Ligue 1 goal in months. With March camp approaching, the team’s key names are rebuilding momentum.

Balogun followed a two-goal Champions League showing against PSG by netting in the 62nd minute to spark Monaco’s turnaround and a crucial 3-2 win over Lens. He has a tendency to run hot and cold; when the goals come, they arrive in bursts, and he will need to lengthen this current purple patch.

Adams had been expected to miss at least three months after what looked like a meniscus tear against Manchester United in mid-December, yet he returned ahead of schedule, starting in a rugged 0-0 draw with West Ham and completing 91 percent of his passes in 66 minutes.

ricardo pepi, tyler adams, christian pulisic, folarin balogun, usmnt, monaco, milan, ligue 1, champions league, west ham