USA national team boss Mauricio Pochettino believes that Christian Pulisic will get past his rut, but admitted his team are struggling.
The pressure is dialling up fast on Pochettino and Pulisic ahead of the USA’s home World Cup, and their struggles for results continues. Over the break, they were beaten 5-2 by Belgium and 2-0 by Portugal in the friendlies that were played in Atlanta, with with the forward struggling in both.
What is remarkable given his usual consistency is that Pulisic hasn’t scored for Milan in 2026, and for the national team he is without a goal since late 2024. His spot at the World Cup is not in doubt of course, but Pochettino hopes that he can regain some form.
A damning assessment
The USMNT boss spoke to reporters after the defeat against Portugal, and he pointed out the lack of star quality in the team compared to some of the sides that they have faced in friendlies.
“We are USA. We are competing against Belgium, Portugal. I think for sure Belgium and Portugal have in the top 100 players, a few or some, players playing in that top 100. I think we don’t have. That is why it’s good to play against these types of teams,” he said (via The Athletic).
Pulisic is not a top 100 players in the eyes of his national team coach, yet in The Athletic’s ‘Best 100 Players who will be at the World Cup’ he was the only American, and came in at number 39.
Pochettino added: “Yes, he feels frustrated, but that’s what we want, what we expect. He fought. He put in the effort when we ask for more, and then, with the ball at his feet, he’ll score because he has the quality. I’m sure he’ll return to his club and, as soon as he scores his first goal, he’ll start scoring again.”
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