Christian Pulisic breaks five-month goal drought, relieving pressure on USMNT

Christian Pulisic Breaks Scoring Drought in USMNT Win

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — After five long months, Christian Pulisic finally feels a bit lighter. USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino expressed his confidence last week, asserting, “He’s going to score in the World Cup.” While Sunday’s game didn’t quite mimic that atmosphere, it hinted at some promising possibilities.

Pulisic ended his scoring drought with a goal just 20 minutes into the match, marking his first for the U.S. Men’s National Team since September 2024, during the 3-2 victory over Senegal.

His smooth finish past Molly Diaw capped off a stellar 45-minute display before he, along with nine other teammates, left the field at halftime.

“It felt great,” Pulisic responded after the game. “I’m feeling confident, and I’ve been playing really well recently. But it seems like everyone’s only focused on my goal count. I wish the chatter would shift a bit. Sure, it’s just a friendly, but we have a significant match coming up, and we need to be prepared.”

Even though people praised his performance, Pulisic had recently been left out of Milan’s starting lineup, which was disappointing as the team fell out of the Champions League chase by season’s end.

He seemed a bit frustrated when he came on as a substitute during his last Serie A match. However, on Sunday, Pulisic showcased a more dynamic side of his game, proving to be a consistent threat.

Pochettino acknowledged the improvement, stating, “Christian’s performance for those 45 minutes was really impressive. He still has potential for growth, but it shows through his training attitude. His playtime last week reflected that.” From the get-go, Pulisic commanded the field, with Gio Reyna even struggling to link up with him.

For a player known for his ups and downs, this performance feels like a promising lead-up to what could be a pivotal World Cup. Senegal found it challenging to keep him in check.

Pulisic contributed to the score early by assisting Sergiño Dest for the first goal of the game, but the team and fans were eager for him to notch one for himself. And he did, quickly.