Alarms in the United States: Pulisic Is Struggling
Poor Results and Worrying Signs
The United States national team is not leaving a good impression heading into the World Cup. Two defeats against European opponents have raised concerns around Mauricio Pochettino’s squad, with the spotlight firmly on their main star: Christian Pulisic.
“Captain America” seems to have lost prominence at a crucial moment. With AC Milan, he has now gone 12 matches without scoring, only managing to provide an assist in his most recent game against Torino. This goal drought has also carried over to the national team.
Pulisic has not scored for the United States since the 2024 Nations League. He is now on an eight-game scoreless run with the national team, a worrying stat considering he is their main offensive reference. His dip in form has been evident in recent matches, where the team has struggled more than expected.
Pressure, Criticism, and the Search for Solutions
Criticism has quickly followed. The loss against Belgium left a poor impression, and the defeat to Portugal confirmed that the issue is not only individual, but also collective.
Even so, Christian Pulisic himself has delivered a message of calm. He believes he can regain his best form in the coming months, relying on competition within AC Milan to sharpen his game and arrive at the World Cup in top condition.
For his part, Mauricio Pochettino will need to use this time to find solutions. The team has shown defensive fragility and a lack of attacking sharpness—two aspects that are concerning with so little time before the tournament begins.
In the end, much will depend on what Pulisic can produce. If the captain is at his best, the United States can compete; if not, the outlook becomes complicated.
The margin for error is slim. Christian Pulisic has only a few months to rediscover his top form and lead his team on home soil. Will “Captain America” regain his powers?
