Alexi Lalas on Christian Pulisic’s Potential
Soccer legend Alexi Lalas, now an analyst for Fox Sports, has suggested that the upcoming 2026 World Cup could elevate U.S. men’s national team standout Christian Pulisic to the title of “the greatest American men’s soccer player ever.” Lalas expressed this view during a discussion with Brandon London.
He pointed out that with the World Cup hosted in the U.S., it provides Pulisic and the national team with a fantastic opportunity to enhance their visibility. “There’s simply no better way to refine your image than at your home World Cup,” he remarked. “Whether it’s about fame or wealth, it’s a chance to showcase or reintroduce yourself to your own country. For Pulisic, eyes will undoubtedly be on him; he’s already a star, and playing on home turf changes everything.”
Lalas went on to commend Pulisic’s trajectory, suggesting he’s likely to be labeled as the best American male soccer player when all’s said and done. “As he continues to grow, I think he will probably be seen as the greatest,” Lalas noted.
Pulisic stands out as the leading figure on the national team and is anticipated to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup roster. However, the USMNT has also stirred some debate this year by opting out of the Gold Cup to recuperate after a grueling season with AC Milan, particularly following a disappointing performance in the CONCACAF Nations League.
Lalas, along with other analysts and former players, had critiqued the current squad, specifically Pulisic, though any negativity subsided after a successful camp in October and November. Notably, Pulisic missed the November camp where the U.S. triumphed over Paraguay and Uruguay.
With the team not set to regroup until March, it leaves limited time for manager Mauricio Pochettino to finalize his selections. Some potential names for the 2026 U.S. roster include Cristian Roldan, Sebastian Berhalter, and Diego Luna. Lalas mentioned that certain players seem to be making their mark just in time for next summer’s event, perhaps catalyzed by Pochettino’s influence.
