Zwei auf Null? Pulisic faces off against Chicharito this weekend

The United States Men's National Team won't open its Hex campaign until the much-anticipated Nov. 11 match against Mexico in Columbus, but the Bundesliga will offer a preview of sorts on Saturday, when Chicharito's Bayer Leverkusen hosts Pulisic's Borussia Dortmund in a significant early-season matchup. (The match starts at 12:30 ET on FS2, with a half-hour pre-game show that is likely to feature both the Mexican and American standouts.)

Chicharito's had an exceptional start to his season, with four goals and an assist in four appearances for Leverkusen in league play; he also scored his 100th European goal Tuesday as the German side drew Monaco 1-1 in Champions League action. For the time being, he'll focus on club action, as he's being kept out of Mexico's upcoming October friendlies, but it's hard to imagine him not being summoned to help El Tri in its trip to the Land of Dos a Cero.

Pulisic has a goal and two assists in three league appearances for Borussia Dortmund so far this season, and though he hasn't shown up on the stat sheet in Champions League play yet this season, it was his run and cross that set up a late-game equalizer in Tuesday's epic 2-2 showdown against Real Madrid.

With injuries making the remade Dortmund squad thinner (especially in its back line), it could be a fun day for Señor Hernandez. Though the injuries have been potentially worrisome for Dortmund, they've actually maintained strong early season form, second only to Bayern Munich in the league standings—and Pulisic is getting opportunities to feature in important matches. (And we'll likely learn by Sunday if Pulisic will be called up for the upcoming historic USMNT match against Cuba on Oct. 7 and the tilt against New Zealand Oct. 11 at RFK Stadium, the next matches on the Yanks' calendar.)