Christian Pulisic Enters Goal Drought with USMNT Ahead of World Cup
Christian Pulisic has not found the net for the USMNT since 2024, extending a dry spell into a pivotal World Cup year. A recent 2-0 defeat to Portugal in Atlanta highlighted his struggles, despite manager Mauricio Pochettino's tactical experiment positioning him centrally. While current form raises concerns, Pulisic's proven ability in high-stakes fixtures underscores why his World Cup contributions will matter most.
Breakout Campaign Yields to Interruptions
The 2024-25 season marked Pulisic's pinnacle at AC Milan, where he recorded 20 goals and assists in Italy's top flight, ranking fourth overall. Including Champions League and cups, that total reached 27, making him Milan's standout creator. Early momentum carried into the new campaign under Max Allegri's 3-5-2, with Pulisic thriving as a second striker and helping keep Milan in the title race.
Skipping the Gold Cup last summer aligned with calls for rest, as former USMNT forward Charlie Davies highlighted the need for physical and mental recovery after an grueling year. Yet progress stalled after an October knock against Australia, sidelining him for four club outings. Muscular issues followed, limiting him to seven starts and seven substitute appearances from October 14 to February 18, with only one goal in a 3-0 win over Hellas Verona on December 28.
Declining Clinical Edge Emerges in 2026
Goals evaporated this year, often due to low shot volume or reduced precision. Against Genoa in a 1-1 draw, Pulisic took eight shots, only two on target, amid Milan's 32 attempts. He managed three shots, none converting, in a 1-0 loss to Parma before a planned withdrawal after 60 minutes.
Similar patterns persisted: one of three shots on target versus Cremonese; a half-chance missed against Inter in a 1-0 victory; five shots versus Lazio, where two were blocked, two wide, and one saved despite strong link-up play. Off-field tension surfaced when Pulisic bypassed Rafa Leao on a promising move, prompting Leao's visible frustration and subsequent rumors of discord, though quashed.
Tactical Gambit Fails to Ignite Spark
Pochettino sought to jolt Pulisic against Portugal by deploying him as a No. 9, isolated from support. This countered his preference for drifting wide, and with options like Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, or Patrick Agyemang available centrally, alternatives existed. Pulisic completed 12 passes in 45 minutes, created no chances, and fired three shots, the best sailing wide.
A yellow card and reckless challenge risked ejection. Still, Pulisic insists "things are gonna be different," banking on his record of decisive interventions against Inter, Liverpool, and an FA Cup final assist versus Arsenal. Such big-moment reliability tempers worries, positioning the World Cup as the true measure of his influence.
