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Sam Borden
Multiple Authors
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Christian Pulisic isn’t the only player representing the United States men’s national team during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, even if it might sometimes seem that way. However, his experience in Thursday’s match encapsulated the team’s overall journey: a strong beginning followed by a disappointing conclusion, with the real focus now on what lies ahead.
The similarities between Pulisic and the team are clear. He marked his return to the field for the final group match against Türkiye after being sidelined since halftime of the U.S. opener, receiving one of the night’s biggest ovations for his energetic performance. He fired a shot that hit the post, showing no signs of the calf injury that had kept him out. The U.S. mirrored his vibrancy, scoring early for the third consecutive game—this time just three minutes in, thanks to a sharp-angled shot from Auston Trusty following an excellent corner kick by Sebastian Berhalter.
Unfortunately, the end of the match was far less encouraging. Pulisic was nutmegged by Türkiye’s Arda Güler near the penalty area, leading to a chaotic scramble in front of the goal that ended with Kaan Ayhan scoring past Matt Turner in the 98th minute, securing a 3-2 victory for Türkiye, who were already eliminated. It was a frustrating finish for both the U.S. and Pulisic, who was visibly upset.
“We’re just using this as a learning opportunity, rather than a gut punch,” said U.S. defender Chris Richards.
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Given the U.S.’s current situation—having secured first place in their group and a spot in the knockout stage—this much can be viewed as a positive lesson learned.
Thursday held significance; the players experienced genuine emotions, and the performances were real. However, the crucial phase of this home World Cup begins on Wednesday against Bosnia-Herzegovina, where Mauricio Pochettino’s team will aim for only their second knockout stage victory in modern World Cup history.
Most importantly, Pulisic will be back on the field. He didn’t speak with reporters after the match, leaving others to discuss the importance of his return.
“Christian’s a fantastic player,” commented Brenden Aaronson. “His presence on the field changes everything. He draws a lot of attention, allowing other players to capitalize on opportunities. He was electric once he came on.”
Tim Weah remarked, “Christian deserves all the praise he receives. He is the key player.”
This is evident. The midfield fared reasonably well in Pulisic’s absence; Berhalter scored the U.S.’s second goal with a stunning half-volley that stood out. However, the dynamics shifted once Pulisic entered the game.
Almost instantly, he was racing down the left flank, driving past a Turkish defender to create a scoring opportunity, and mere moments later, he forced the goalkeeper into a reflexive save. Just like he did against Paraguay in the first half, Pulisic created havoc on the wing and often turned the ball into the center, either launching his own shot or setting up a teammate.
Even with several main players resting—especially Malik Tillman, who had a strong connection with Pulisic, along with striker Folarin Balogun—it highlighted that Pulisic remains an influential factor for the team. When he plays at his best, he can dictate the match’s tempo.
Pochettino, who spent a portion of his post-match press conference emphasizing the importance of the U.S. winning their group, was optimistic about Pulisic’s return.
“The most crucial aspect for him was to gain match rhythm,” Pochettino stated. “Winning was important, but we also aimed to give Christian between 30 and 40 minutes of play. He finished strong … he made a positive impact on the field.”
The question remains: How much can Pulisic contribute against Bosnia-Herzegovina? He played roughly 30 minutes on Thursday and had just 45 minutes of play before his injury against Paraguay. Can the U.S. hope for 60 from him next week? 75? Pulisic would surely insist he’s ready for a full 90.
Pochettino will need to manage Pulisic’s minutes carefully; however, that’s a better dilemma than not having him available at all. The U.S. hasn’t claimed victory over a European opponent since 2021, a streak of 12 matches across all competitions, when they defeated Bosnia-Herzegovina in a friendly.
Interestingly, Pulisic did not play in that match, but he will feature in this upcoming clash. Based on his performance against Türkiye, he appears poised to make a significant contribution that the U.S. will need.
For Pulisic and his teammates, the assessment is quite clear: Thursday had its highs and lows, but ultimately, it’s now irrelevant. The true challenge lies ahead.