Off To Sizzling Start, USMNT’s Pulisic Must Stay Healthy For World Cup

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 27: Christian Pulisic of AC Milan celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Lecce at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 27, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Getty Images

Many supporters of the U.S. Men’s National Team would like nothing more than to place Christian Pulisic in bubble wrap until June 12, 2026.

That’s when the Americans will kick off their latest World Cup adventure, against an opponent to be determined in Los Angeles, at the tournament’s draw in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 5.

Of course, keeping Pulisic in bubble wrap can’t and won’t happen.

Until then, the 27-year-old forward needs to excel for club and country, fill the net with goals, hone his talent and write another chapter in his incredible career.

Which he certainly has done for A.C. Milan, lately.

A hot, hot, hot start

Unless you have been hiding under a rock, you should know Pulisic has started the Serie A season red hot, hot, hot.

Since the Italian Serie A season kicked off last month, the Hershey, Pa. native has scored six goals and added two assists across seven matches.

Heck, he also has recorded four goals and two assists in three appearances over nine days.

It started with two goals and an assist in a virtuoso performance in a 3-0 away victory over Udinese on Sept. 20 and was given a 10-for-10 rating by Soccerway.com. He followed that up with a goal against Lecce in another 3-0 home win in a Coppa Italia encounter on Sept. 23.

And then came Sunday, Sept. 28, when the 5-foot-10, 161-lb. Pulisic tallied a goal and an assist in Milan’s 2-1 home triumph over Napoli.

Milan (4-1-0, 12 points) won its fourth successive Serie A match, taking over first place via goal differential past the defending champions (4-1-0, 12), plus six to plus five, respectively.

Early Golden Boot leader

“We feel incredible, honestly, just the spirit of the team, and the way we fought also after the red card, we really gave everything, and it’s a special feeling now for us,” Pulisic said on CBS SportsGolazo.

“It sends a message for sure. We’re a good team, we’re a strong team, we can score goals, but we can also defend like this, and we have a good spirit. I think it shows a lot for sure.”

In fact, he has taken over the early Golden Boot lead with his four goals. Four players are tied for second place with three apiece – Nico Paz (Como), Riccardo Orsolini (Bologna), Kevin De Bruyne (Napoli) and Marcus Thuram (Inter).

Yes, it’s early, but still, not too shabby for any player, let alone an American.

There is no argument that Pulisic is a generational player.

Let’s put it into perspective.

In life, a generation usually is measured by 20 or 25 years.

In soccer, it is more like seven to 12 years because international careers don’t always last longer than that.

The USMNT scoring ladder

For example, Landon Donovan (2002-2014) and Clint Dempsey (2004-2017) were attacking dynamos during their prime years. Having two lethal offensive weapons on the same pitch made the Americans a lethal and respected force in the world.

They lead all USMNT players with 57 goals apiece. Pulisic is fifth with 31, behind Jozy Altidore (42) and Eric Wynalda (34). Donovan also is the all-time assist leader (58) With a couple of stellar performance, Pulisic could tie or even pass Wynalda, assuming he is called in for the USA’s next two friendlies, against Ecuador in Austin, Texas (Oct. 10) and Australia in Commerce City, Colo (Oct. 14). There are also friendlies scheduled against Paraguay in Chester, Pa. (Nov. 15) and Uruguay in Tampa, Fla. (Nov. 18).

Speaking of prime years, Pulisic is in his prime at the age of 27. According to statistics, most strikers and attacking midfielders excel between the ages of 25 and 30. The average age of a World Cup scoring champion is a little more than 25. Of course, there are exceptions.

Time to shine on the biggest stage

This is his time.

If the USMNT is to be successful at next year’s World Cup, the Americans will need superior performances by several players. At the top of the list is one Christian Pulisic.

Of course, in a competition such as the World Cup, no team can be a one-man show, except for such super-talented players as Pele, Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi.

These players showed that they can bend steel with their bare feet.

Pulisic isn’t in their class, but few Americans should be complaining. There is no one else on the team in his class.

Never have the USMNT players been put under the microscope prior to a World Cup, because this competition is at home, co-host by the U.S., Mexico and Canada.

Soccer officials in this country – U.S. Soccer, Major League Soccer, and even the lower divisions – hope that the USMNT will impress and go deep in the tournament and boost the sport’s influence in this country. Failing to get out of the group stage would be embarrassing; South Africa (2010) is the only country to pull off that rare, abysmal feat. A Round of 32 appearance is a must; a quarterfinal match would be acceptable.

Going forward

As for Pulisic not playing during the summer friendlies and Concacaf Gold Cup and the kerfuffle that started in a he-said, he-said situation with U.S. head coach Mauricio Pochettino, and a soap opera ensued in which former USMNT stars voiced their opinion, should be in the past.

This is a time to look ahead and enjoy what feats Christian Pulisic can perform with his feet (and sometimes with his head) for club and country.

Let’s face it, Pulisic has become an indispensable player not on just one team, but two.

If he keeps a decent pace and remains healthy, U.S. soccer supporters could be in line for a memorable time come next summer.