Christian Pulisic scores 2 and helps set up another in AC Milan win at Udinese in Serie A

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AC Milan's Christian Pulisic, center, scores during the Serie A soccer match between Udinese and AC Milan at the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine, Italy, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (Andrea Bressanutti/LaPresse via AP)

AC Milan's Christian Pulisic, right, celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the Serie A soccer match between Udinese and AC Milan at the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine, Italy, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (Andrea Bressanutti/LaPresse via AP) — AC Milan's Christian Pulisic, center, scores during the Serie A soccer match between Udinese and AC Milan at the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine, Italy, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (Andrea Bressanutti/LaPresse via AP)

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11:06 AM on Saturday, September 20

By ANDREW DAMPF

ROME (AP) — Christian Pulisic is in fine form nine months before a home World Cup.

The United States forward scored twice and was involved in another goal as AC Milan won at previously unbeaten Udinese 3-0 in Serie A on Saturday.

It was just the type of performance that American fans will be hoping to see at the 2026 World Cup that the U.S. is co-hosting with Canada and Mexico. Pulisic and U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino recently indicated they had moved on from some controversy after the top American player skipped the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Since joining Milan in 2023, Pulisic has scored 36 goals and provided 21 assists in 105 matches — meaning he has produced a goal in more than half of his matches.

“Winning trophies and games are more important for me,” Pulisic said. “Goals and assists are always there.”

Pulisic scored first by pounding in a rebound shortly before halftime.

Then his high pressing allowed Youssouf Fofana to score undisturbed less than a minute into the second half.

Pulisic made it 3-0 after taking a well-disguised pass from Adrien Rabiot and shooting through a defender’s legs.

Milan’s third win in four matches moved the Rossoneri level with defending champion Napoli, one point behind leader Juventus, which had its perfect start ended in a 1-1 draw at Hellas Verona.

Under returning coach Massimiliano Allegri, who was suspended for the Udinese game, it's already looking like Milan has improved after an eighth-place finish last season that left the seven-time European champion out of continental competition.

Napoli hosts promoted Pisa on Monday.

Juventus held

Francisco Conceicao put Juventus ahead in the 19th minute after dribbling around defenders then unleashing from the edge of the area.

But a handball by Joao Mario led to a penalty for Verona that was converted by Gift Orban before the break.

Verona thought it may have won with a goal from Suat Serdar following a corner in the 67th but it was waived for offside after a VAR review.

Earlier, Bologna came from a goal down to beat visiting Genoa 2-1 with a penalty kick from Riccardo Orsolini nine minutes into stoppage time.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer