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)

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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 American soccer team will kick off its next World Cup adventure in Los Angeles against an opponent to be determined at the tournament’ draw on Dec. 5.

Of course, keeping Pulisic in bubble wrap can’t and won’t happen before next summer’s World Cup.

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 soccer career.

He’s certainly doing that for A.C. Milan, lately.

A hot, hot, hot start

Pulisic has started the Serie A season red hot, hot, hot.

Since the Italian 2025-26 season kicked off last month, Pulisic, who is from Hershey, Pa., has scored six goals and added two assists in seven matches, with four of those goals and two assists in three appearances over the last nine days.

Pulisic started with two goals and an assist in a virtuoso performance in a 3-0 away victory over Udinese on Sept. 20, when he 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 game 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 from the defending champion Napoli (4-1-0, 12).

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 after the Napoli match.

“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 lead for the Golden Boot awarded to the league’s top scorer with his four goals. Four other players are tied for second place with three goals apiece: Nico Paz (Como), Riccardo Orsolini (Bologna), Kevin De Bruyne (Napoli) and Marcus Thuram (Inter).

Yes, it’s early, but still, not too shabby.

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 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 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 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.

The USMNT players will be put under the microscope before the World Cup, which they’ll play at home, co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico and Canada.

Soccer officials in the country — U.S. Soccer, Major League Soccer, and even the lower professional divisions — hope that the USMNT will impress and go deep in the tournament, boosting the sport’s influence in the 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 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.