Christian Pulisic #10

Profile

This generation of USA players has more than ever playing at elite clubs in Europe, but none of them are as important to the team’s success as Pulisic. When he is on form, “the kid from Hershey, Pennsylvania” is more capable than anyone in the team of finding a way through defences, and finding small windows in which to take shots and, ideally, score goals. In 2025, he said “his body had started talking to him” and he opted out of the Gold Cup squad, a decision he was criticised for by certain former players, such as Landon Donovan and Tim Howard. “When it comes to [Donovan, Howard, and other ex-national team critics], it is tough because I looked up to those guys growing up,” he told CBS. “Some of these guys were my idols, and I respect them so much as players. Privately, the way they talk to me and clearly want to show support and be your friend and everything, and then they say something slightly different publicly. Does it hurt me? Am I surprised by it? I don’t know. Not really.” Though he’s surrounded by a more than capable USA roster, the pressure on Pulisic to perform at this World Cup is immense. He is the face of the program, even if he himself is more of an introvert.

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