How Christian Pulisic Became the Latest Legend to Don the USMNT's Iconic No. 10 Jersey

Few numbers in soccer carry as much prestige and expectation as the No. 10.

Donned by legends such as Pelé, Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona, the shirt has become a symbol of the most gifted and creative players the sport has ever produced. This summer, the U.S. men's national team's version belongs to Christian Pulisic. 

The 27-year-old attacking midfielder has represented the Stars and Stripes under several different numbers over the years. He made his debut wearing No. 17 in 2016, later transitioning to No. 11 before ultimately settling on the No. 10. 

Wearing it this summer will place him under an even brighter spotlight. It's a challenge he appears ready to meet, particularly after contributing a goal and an assist in the opening pre-World Cup friendly against Senegal—quieting critics who had questioned his lack of international goals since 2024 and his inconsistent form at AC Milan during the second half of the 2025–26 European season.

Although he won't serve as captain—that role belongs to veteran center back Tim Ream—the man known as "Captain America" will still shoulder the burden of the shirt as he guides the USMNT into its second World Cup on home turf. 

How Long Pulisic Has Worn the No. 10

Pulisic first pulled on the No. 10 for the U.S. back in 2015, as the standout player of the U17 squad. However, he only began wearing the number at the senior international level in 2016, having initially represented the national team with the No. 17 and No. 11.

While the jersey has largely been his as the central figure of the USMNT, others have worn it in his absence during select friendlies and tournaments. Diego Luna, Alex Zendejas, Cristian Roldan and Jesus Ferreira have each stepped into the iconic shirt when Pulisic was not part of the squad. 

Who Had the USMNT No. 10 Before Pulisic?

Before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where Pulisic wore the No. 10, Mix Diskerud was the last to carry the number at the 2014 tournament in Brazil. Landon Donovan wore it at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, while Claudio Reyna—father of current USMNT star Gio Reyna—wore it at both the 2002 and 2006 tournaments. Tab Ramos sported the number at the 1998 World Cup in France. 

Pulisic will become only the second USMNT player to wear the No. 10 at a home World Cup, following Roy Wegerle in 1994, who wrapped up his international career in 1998 after scoring seven goals across 41 caps. 

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Who First Wore the USMNT's No. 10?

The documented history of the USMNT No. 10 shirt stretches back 90 years to Bill Fiedler, who wore it in just one international appearance. That sole outing came in a 1–0 defeat to Italy at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, a tournament overshadowed by the rise of Nazi Germany and the political tensions that surrounded it. 

That match became notorious as a chaotic opening fixture of the Olympics, as the Italians—fielding an entirely different squad from the one that claimed the 1934 World Cup—played with physical aggression throughout. Defender Achille Piccini launched brutal challenges on Fiedler and a teammate, forcing both off the pitch, yet the Italian players pressured the referee into penalizing the Americans rather than punishing any of their own.   

Fiedler, a Philadelphia native and former standout with the Philadelphia German-Americans of the now-defunct American Professional Soccer League, continued playing for a few more years before hanging up his boots in 1940. That historic moment now serves as a backdrop for Pulisic, who this summer will become the latest Pennsylvanian to wear the storied shirt on the grandest stage.

Every Player Assigned the No. 10 for USMNT

*List only includes players specifically assigned the No. 10 shirt