It should have been the young American’s chance to explode on to the global scene, to establish himself as a true member of the world footballing elite.
A face to stick on a billboard. It was destined that Christian Pulisic would be a star in Russia. And yet that destiny was disrupted somewhere along the line.
Pulisic never made it to the World Cup as the USA missed out on qualification for the first time since 1986. The teenager couldn’t have done much more to ensure his country avoided such a fate, scoring six times over 13 qualifying appearances. He deserved so much better.
It’s why teammate Dax McCarty found the image of Pulisic, “the kid that had done so much,” stood, fully-clothed in the showers, head in hands, crying just minutes after the USA’s fateful draw with Trinidad and Tobago so haunting.
On the basis of this pre-season form, though, Pulisic has put this disappointment behind him. He has to if he is to live up to his billing as one of the brightest young talents in the game right now.
This coming season will be the most important in the 19-year-old’s career to date, with Pulisic ready to take the next step. This could be the season he becomes a bonafide superstar.
Christian Pulisic needs to fulfill his potential and become the American Messi
Christian Pulisic has to deliver and finally become the American Messi