Pochettino Breaks Silence on Pulisic's Alarming Scoring Slump as USMNT Concerns Mount
United States men's national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino remains "pleased" with Christian Pulisic's displays at AC Milan, even as the American forward experiences a significant drop in offensive output.
Pulisic's explosive beginning to the 2025–26 campaign now feels like ancient history. The 27-year-old striker has endured 11 straight matches without scoring a goal. Moreover, he hasn't recorded any goal contributions throughout 2026.
As the 2026 World Cup rapidly draws near, anxiety grows regarding Pulisic's scoring slump—though Pochettino isn't worried.
"Christian is getting playing time and obviously he's not finding the net, but for me, it's not exclusively about scoring," Pochettino stated on Tuesday following his announcement of the USMNT squad for March's international fixtures.
"I'm satisfied with his overall performances ... and the minutes he's accumulating. I believe this presents an excellent chance for him to link up with our squad and showcase his abilities while we help him reach peak form to secure his place in the final World Cup roster."
Pulisic's Opportunity to Regain His Touch Against Two Giants
Pulisic's Opportunity to Regain His Touch Against Two Giants
While Pulisic struggles to find rhythm at club level this year, a single standout performance with the national team could shift perceptions around the squad captain, particularly against Belgium or Portugal.
The USMNT will face these two European giants during March internationals as part of their 2026 World Cup buildup. Pochettino's squad will be eager to demonstrate they can match teams ranked in FIFA's top 10, following disappointing results against Concacaf and CONMEBOL opponents in recent tournaments.
Clearly, the Stars and Stripes require their star performer to deliver against quality opposition like Belgium and Portugal to ensure competitive fixtures. A brilliant international showing from Pulisic would be sufficient for American supporters to overlook his recent Milan difficulties.
Should the attacker fail to deliver, criticism of his concerning form will intensify as the World Cup approaches. The USMNT aims for a memorable campaign on home territory this summer, but their success depends heavily on Pulisic's contributions.
Pochettino Shifts Focus Away from Domestic Performance
Pochettino Shifts Focus Away from Domestic Performance
Pulisic will always secure his place in the USMNT setup, irrespective of his club performances. However, other talented players struggling domestically are receiving surprising chances to demonstrate their value before the World Cup.
Pochettino raised eyebrows by including Gio Reyna in his 27-man squad. The 23-year-old has featured in only two matches for Borussia Mönchengladbach over the past three months, accumulating merely 26 minutes. Nevertheless, this limited action apparently warranted a national team selection.
"He possesses exceptional talent," Pochettino commented about Reyna. "We understand his potential contribution to the national setup ... He has the ability to perform at this level. We recognize he's an extraordinary talent and player. Providing opportunities, despite limited club action, could prove valuable for our team."
Reyna excelled during November's international window, contributing one goal and one assist across two matches against Paraguay and Uruguay. While it's difficult to envision the American having a major World Cup role, it's no longer completely unrealistic given Pochettino's growing confidence in the unpredictable talent.