Christian Pulisic has not had the best recent period, either for his club AC Milan or for his national team the United States.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport write, anyone hoping to see Pulisic rediscover his best form while with the national team was disappointed. He certainly isn’t the main culprit in the debacle against Belgium, but at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the USA’s leader faltered.
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He once again demonstrated that he’s going through a difficult period, with some errors in finishing that have been a theme of 2026. What sticks out is the the missed opportunity in the 52nd minute, with a poor left-footed shot from near the penalty spot.
This was followed by the Belgians immediately earning a free-kick on the counter-attack, then Andre Onana making it 2-1. Kevin De Bruyne and his teammates then ran riot, sealing the match with a resounding 5-2 victory.
Pulisic in a tunnel
In 2026, Pulisic is yet to score a goal after a fantastic first part of the season. He headed to join up with his national team hoping for a ball to hit him and go in – as he himself admitted he hopes happens – but instead found himself no longer the captain.
It is a small detail, but the leader of the group is now central defender Tim Ream, who also captained the team in Atlanta. Pochettino appreciates the leadership and character of the 38-year-old former Fulham player, and it’s therefore difficult to imagine the hierarchy changing for the World Cup.
In a different context, the ‘Pulisic brand’ could have even received a boost from the sponsor, but after his 2021 split from Nike and his signing with rival Puma, the US national team’s partner obviously has no interest in lobbying to restore the armband to ‘Captain America’.
So, Ream should remain the captain. This doesn’t mean that the pressure is any less on Pulisic, who for better or worse remains the symbol of a national team at a crossroads. It harbours significant ambitions, but must come to terms with reality, especially after disappointing performances.
It’s legitimate to dream, but to achieve even the minimum goal (which appears to be qualifying for the round of 16) the USA will certainly need a change of pace from its most talented player. Above all, Pulisic needs to regain satisfactory condition.
“We’re talking about the World Cup, so obviously there’s pressure, but that’s not a problem. Being here is a privilege for me, and I’m facing it head-on knowing I have my team-mates, coaching staff, and the entire country behind me,” he said.
It’s not a casual statement: Pulisic seems truly capable of handling the pressure, even at the media level. Then the only judge, of course, becomes the pitch, and right now things certainly aren’t going great.
Let’s say, then, that regaining form and scoring goals, especially for Milan, could certainly be the best way to go into the World Cup. Also because one thing is certain: without Pulisic at his best, even ‘dreaming’ – as Pochettino urges – becomes difficult for the USA.
Ream is a horrible, horrible player responsible for conceded goals. That the US national team’s coach trusts him and starts him, shows a colossal error of judgement. He shouldn’t even be a sub; let alone the starter and the captain.
I hope Pulisic recovers his form and the captaincy.
US Football Federation is even denser than the FIGC if that’s even possible…. Appointing Pochetino was an awful decision and one that will backfire on the biggest stage.
Yes. Pochetino has no capacity whatsoever to call up and field a sensible line-up. He is not able to use well some American players who are actually decent and somewhat talented. Instead, he goes for those who are utterly mediocre. Pochetino is incompetent and unable to read the game during it, and has no tactical awareness. He is a terrible coach, and that is evident when he starts a horrible player like Ream, who has pitiful performances every time, which everybody watching this team easily notices, except for the freaking head coach!
I make a point of watching the USMNT when I can, because of Pulisic, my favorite Milan player (who is going through a bad phase but I’m hopeful he will recover) and I’m often appalled at what I see from Pochetino. The United States is a rich country that could afford a good international head coach, and it is incomprehensible why they decided to hire this Pochetino (who had a bit of lucky successes before, but is clearly incompetent).
AGREE 1000000 th percent with Luigi.Ream is terrible and how does he play with NO EMOTION !! Absolutely no leader in defense !! USA S BIGGEST PROBLEM IS DEFENCE or LACK OF IT. So disappointed that Ream is even on this team.Defence killed usa last world cup !
Yes. Pochetino can’t settle for a stable group of players, keeps changing it all the time, is erratic in his call-ups, and is generally boneheaded, persisting with errors. His team is a disorganized mess, three months before hosting the World Cup (therefore too late to make any meaningful changes).
It’s hard to understand why the American federation hired this mediocre coach (they could afford way better). The United States while not brilliant, does have a generation that counts on several players who play for worthy European clubs. Given that they are co-hosting the WC, it should be the year when they would finally do well. Instead, they are unlikely to do anything remarkable, given how incompetent their head coach is.