This summer’s FIFA World Cup has been promoted with a television ad showcasing some of the most talented soccer players around the world, including Lionel Messi from Argentina, Kylian Mbappé from France, Cristiano Ronaldo from Portugal, Lamine Yamal from Spain, and Jude Bellingham from England. The ad closes with an image of Christian Pulisic, a forward for the U.S. Men’s National Team.
Pulisic is undeniably talented and stands out as the shining star of the USMNT, with 33 international goals that place him fifth in the team’s history. With the upcoming World Cup being co-hosted by the U.S., it’s essential to highlight that the team has its own stars to watch, even though Pulisic may not be immediately placed in the same category as the other five elite players mentioned. While he is a star, the others are often regarded as supernovas.
Pulisic himself does not make this comparison, nor did he ask for it, but it illustrates the expectations, pressure, and opportunities that await him this summer.
At 27, Pulisic is at the peak of his powers, positioning him to define his legacy during this World Cup on home soil in front of family and friends. As the USMNT prepares for their opener against Paraguay on June 12, he steps forward as the face of the team, ready to guide the U.S. toward uncharted territory: a possible quarterfinal spot or even beyond.
Pulisic will, of course, have teammates, coaches, and support staff alongside him, all striving for a deep tournament run. However, when it comes to the nation’s expectations for a strong showing at this World Cup, he will bear the most significant weight.
Having prepared for this moment throughout his life, Pulisic’s unique experiences—ranging from playing in front of the “Yellow Wall” at Borussia Dortmund to winning a UEFA Champions League trophy with Chelsea and impressing the AC Milan fans over three seasons—have equipped him for this challenge.
In these various situations, Pulisic has created memorable moments, such as a crucial goal against Real Madrid in a Champions League semifinal and a game-tying goal in the SuperCoppa against Inter Milan. He has also proven himself on the international stage, scoring against Iran in the 2022 World Cup, a goal that propelled the USMNT into the knockout stage.
Pulisic’s extensive experience makes him as prepared as possible, even if he does not outwardly show any signs of apprehension. He tends to be reserved, finding the spotlight manageable on the pitch but slightly daunting off it. Nonetheless, he insists that he does not feel overwhelming pressure.
“Playing in the last World Cup, you definitely recognize the significance of the moment. There’s a huge buildup, a massive event,” Pulisic told ESPN at a marketing event for Degree. “You watch all the matches and when it’s game time, you feel the big-game atmosphere. A Champions League final gives off similar feelings, so while it’s not wildly different, you want to succeed and help your team do well.”
“Yes, nerves are a part of it, but I experience that every weekend against any team I face in Italy. It’s a natural feeling as a player, perhaps heightened during big moments.”
However, representing a team co-hosting a World Cup presents uncharted waters for even an experienced player like Pulisic. Although he has previously been in the spotlight during his European career, his performances will be subject to even greater scrutiny this time.
The soccer environment has transformed remarkably since the U.S. last hosted the World Cup in 1994. Back then, players like Alexi Lalas could go mostly unrecognized—he famously recounted being on a flight to a fan who didn’t believe he was a professional soccer player. Those days are gone; anonymity is no longer an option.
Former U.S. international Landon Donovan may be the player who can relate most closely to Pulisic’s current situation. While Pulisic has surpassed Donovan in terms of club achievements, Donovan remains a crucial figure in U.S. soccer history due to his international successes during his playing days in the 2000s.
Donovan was a breakout star when the U.S. reached the World Cup quarterfinals in 2002, but his experience in 2006, when all eyes were on him, resulted in disappointment under the pressure. He rebounded in 2010, scoring three goals including a legendary match-winner against Algeria that sent the U.S. to the round of 16.
“I embraced the pressure, but I also failed miserably in 2006,” Donovan told ESPN. “That was a tough realization; with attention and accolades come criticism if you don’t perform.”
Donovan believes it’s all about managing pressure effectively.
“As I matured, particularly in 2010, I understood that pressure is a perception issue. It’s all in your head,” he noted. “If you feel pressure, that’s a personal perception. I chose to embrace it, wanting to be the one with the ball, to take the penalty kick, and to score the goal. If you view it this way, pressure can become less daunting, and I believe Christian has that ability.”
Every player handles the game’s mental challenges differently. Bruce Arena, former USMNT coach, who has worked with both players, remarked on their similarities on the field but noted their personality differences.
“Christian is more reserved than Landon,” Arena shared with ESPN. “Landon sees the big picture and has varied interests. In contrast, Christian is more singularly focused, with fewer distractions. They may be different, but I believe Christian is capable of achieving success.”
Despite the high expectations, Pulisic will require his teammates to rise to the occasion, taking some pressure off him. A solid performance from the goalkeeper and a reliable defense are crucial, especially given recent inconsistencies that have led to concerns.
The U.S. attack must complement Pulisic as well; in past tournaments, opponents often targeted Pulisic with fouls, daring other players to score. This approach has yielded favorable results against the Americans in prior cycles.
“Over the last five years, the burden fell on him to drive offensive production. If we had a major scoring opportunity, it often had to come from Pulisic,” Donovan remarked.
2:43
What would make a good World Cup for the USMNT?
In the 2022 World Cup, Pulisic led the U.S. team with nine chances created in four matches, but he also suffered 11 fouls—more than double that of the second-highest victim, Tyler Adams, who suffered five.
This time around, the U.S. boasts three promising strikers in Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, and Haji Wright, which should alleviate some of the pressure on Pulisic. In particular, Balogun has performed admirably in both Ligue 1 and the Champions League.
“Balogun’s scoring consistently allows Pulisic to focus less on the need to score and become a more dynamic attacking presence,” Donovan commented. “That’s when Pulisic shines.”
Pulisic describes this U.S. team as the most “well-rounded” of his career. Alongside talented playmakers like Weston McKennie and Malik Tillman, the addition of Balogun provides the U.S. with a rare and versatile attacking threat—a combination of skills that contributes a potent offensive arsenal. Balogun has netted goals against elite competition, including three goals this season against former Champions League winners, Paris Saint-Germain.
This development has given Pulisic some much-needed reassurance.
“It’s exciting to watch Balogun score consistently. If your striker is performing well, it can only benefit the entire team,” Pulisic noted. “Balogun’s journey has also been a testament to hard work and resilience. His determination is impressive.”
Pulisic has navigated his share of ups and downs too. His stint at Chelsea was riddled with injuries, leading some to view his time there as less successful despite winning a Champions League title. Last summer, he faced backlash for opting out of the Gold Cup, sparking a public feud with manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Pulisic contended that the media coverage of the situation was exaggerated and asserted that he shares a good rapport with Pochettino. His impressive performances early in the season at AC Milan appeared to validate his decision to take rest days.
Nonetheless, this year hasn’t been as favorable. He struggled to score in club competitions until recently, only registering his first international goal this year last Sunday. He went through a similar dry spell leading into the 2022 World Cup, where he ended up excelling despite limited club contributions.
What’s concerning this time is that some of Pulisic’s struggles can be attributed to Milan’s roster choice, where no high-performing striker like Balogun exists, thus placing the burden back on him. Pulisic hasn’t looked as sharp either; Italian media provided critical assessments, citing he appeared “tormented” and “unrecognizable.”
However, club form does not dictate national team success. A fresh environment with different players can significantly alleviate the strain. Pulisic himself demonstrated this dynamic less than four years ago, and he recently showcased his potential with a goal and an assist in a friendly match against Senegal.
“Everyone feels pressure at every level,” he said. “I feel very fortunate to represent the U.S. team, especially at a World Cup on home soil, and I try to enjoy every moment.”
A successful tournament can easily overshadow Pulisic’s club challenges. Iconic moments often leave lasting impressions, eclipsing hardships, just as Donovan’s historic goal against Algeria did—along with Pulisic’s pivotal goal against Iran.
Pulisic is determined to create more of those unforgettable memories, and if he succeeds, his stature will rise even further with all eyes on him.