Christian Pulisic has been told he “has to perform” at international level after becoming “the face of U.S. soccer” and “best player in CONCACAF”.
The former Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund star has been delivering at club level with Italian giants AC Milan. Personal bests continue to be posted there, with Pulisic becoming a talismanic presence at San Siro and one of the leading lights in Serie A.
‘Captain America’ has been struggling to replicate that success when donning the colours of his country, with humbling defeats to Panama and Canada being endured as the USMNT surrendered their CONCACAF Nations League crown with a whimper.
Questions have been asked of whether Mauricio Pochettino is using Pulisic in the right role – after asking him to play as a creative No.10 – but the 26-year-old has been warned that, regardless of his position on the pitch, he needs to start delivering on expectations.
Former USMNT star Herculez Gomez has told the Men In Blazers podcast: “It doesn’t seem like Christian wants, I don’t want to say the pressure, but he doesn’t want that spotlight. He just wants to be him. He just wants to go out there and play.
“But he doesn’t have that luxury. Christian Pulisic is the face of U.S. soccer. He has to perform. He has to represent. And I enjoy him in a playmaking role. You can do that role for the USMNT but you have to have an identity about how you use Christian Pulisic.”
Gomez added on the pressure that a proven performer in European football now finds himself performing under: “Christian Pulisic is the best player in CONCACAF today, that’s who he is today. If you put him in dangerous positions, he will feast. But give him an opportunity to feast. A lot of this is on Christian, yes. But a lot of this is on how they used him.”
Pulisic, who is up to 78 caps for his country, will be back in trophy-hunting mode when the United States take in Gold Cup action this summer. That event will help Pochettino’s side with their continued countdown to a home World Cup in 2026.
