Christian Pulisic arrives at the World Cup window in the worst form of his career: 16 club games without a goal and eight internationals since 2024. AC Milan’s tactical setup and a confidence dip have compounded the problem, leaving the USMNT reliant on others unless Pulisic rediscovers the spark that made him the team’s most consequential attacking asset.
Pulisic’s drought and the immediate fallout
Christian Pulisic failed to score for the 16th consecutive appearance for AC Milan in a scoreless draw with Juventus, exiting in the 60th minute. The goalless run is the longest of his career, matching his previous low during the 2022–23 season at Chelsea. At club level he has produced just one assist across that 16-match stretch, and he has gone eight straight games without a goal for the U.S. men’s national team.
Why this matters now
With the 2026 World Cup weeks away, Pulisic’s form is urgent. Milan’s slip to third in Serie A increases pressure on the team and its attackers; Pulisic will have only a handful of competitive fixtures before the USMNT’s roster reveal and pre-tournament friendlies. The national side has relied on his creativity and finishing for years — a barren spell this deep raises real questions about how much he can influence the summer’s outcome.
Tactical context at AC Milan
Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri acknowledged Pulisic’s struggle, pointing to physical duels and the team’s lack of a traditional center forward as complicating factors. Allegri’s request that Pulisic operate center-right in this match — with Rafael Leão shifted inside — left the team without a focal striker, reducing Pulisic’s natural avenues for goal-facing combinations.
How Milan’s setup affects Pulisic
Playing without a consistent target man and being asked to drift into half-spaces asks different skill sets of Pulisic: more link-up play, less direct finishing. When opponents crowd midfield and use physicality to disrupt transitions, a winger or inside forward out of form can struggle to influence the box. That tactical mismatch helps explain why his numbers have dipped despite regular starts.
National team implications under Pochettino
USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino has emphasized the distinctness of national-team performance versus club form, but he has not been blind to the warning signs. In March friendlies Pulisic produced subdued displays, prompting frank assessments about the squad’s overall quality relative to European powers. Pochettino’s message: the team can still compete, but it needs consistent contributions from its designated leaders.
Veteran voices back him
Former U.S. striker Clint Dempsey publicly backed Pulisic, stressing the cyclical nature of form and the value of persistence. Dempsey’s perspective is a reminder that elite forwards often recover quickly from slumps once confidence and the rhythm of one goal or assist returns.
What this means for the USMNT’s World Cup chances
If Pulisic rediscovers form, he elevates a roster that already features ascending players such as Weston McKennie, Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi. His ability to create between the lines and finish in transition can transform tight matches into winning ones. Conversely, if he enters the tournament still struggling, the U.S. will need to lean more heavily on collective structure, set pieces and the finishing of its central strikers.
Scenarios to watch
A short-term return to form at Milan would allay concerns and restore the USMNT’s preferred attacking balance. Alternatively, Pochettino could adjust Pulisic’s World Cup role — for example, using him as a high-impact substitute or closer to goal with a mobile center-forward to supply service. Those are tactical choices that will depend on training form and pre-tournament friendlies.
Timeline and next steps
The USMNT will announce its World Cup roster on May 26, followed by warm-up matches against Germany and Senegal. Group D play begins on June 12 against Paraguay, with Australia and Türkiye to follow.
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How Pulisic performs in the remaining club fixtures and the upcoming internationals will shape both his role and the team’s tactical blueprint in North America.
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