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The future of Christian Pulisic has been a major topic of discussion across America.
For nearly a decade, the 28-year-old attacker has widely been regarded as the face and driving force of the U.S. men's national team; however, he failed to rise to the occasion when his country needed him most. At the 2026 World Cup this summer, he accumulated more injuries (two) than goal contributions (one) and showed little of the brilliance that has defined his career at the sport's highest stage.
The squad was forced to rely on emerging talents like Malik Tillman and Folarin Balogun to salvage a memorable summer. Pulisic managed just 45 minutes of meaningful action on home turf, and when he went down with yet another injury in the round of 16 against Belgium, it felt almost unavoidable.
Pulisic's underwhelming showing followed an even more troubling spring, during which he endured the worst scoring drought of his career stretching back to 2025, going 20 games without finding the net for club side AC Milan.
Further compounded by Mauricio Pochettino's youth-focused overhaul, many supporters and media figures have been quick to argue that not only should Pulisic no longer be the face of the USMNT, but that he has no place on the roster whatsoever. Some have gone even further, suggesting that his injury exit during the decisive 4–1 defeat to Belgium was proof that he had mentally checked out on the national team.
Former USMNT standout Kellyn Acosta has since come to his former teammate's defense. The two share a close friendship, having represented the country together at the 2022 World Cup, and Acosta believes that what Pulisic contributes to the squad is irreplaceable.
The 'Fickle' Nature of Soccer Fandom
Acosta took particular exception to those questioning Pulisic's commitment to the national team. In his view, no one is more dedicated.
"That's so harsh," Acosta told Herculez Gomez on Vamos Network. "For a guy that's done so much for the national team, for people just to turn on him as quickly as they have. It's just spreading like wildfire.
"There's a difference between saying he's not performing well and what not, but saying that [he] gave up on [his] team is questioning his character and his love for his teammates, the game and the national team. That gives me a sour taste because I know him personally, and I know that's not who he is. He is judged incorrectly."
Pulisic went down in the 57th minute against Belgium. While attempting to play the ball, he collided with the lower leg of Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans, twisting both his ankle and knee in the process. Though he initially tried to push through the discomfort, he was forced to limp off the field just before the hour mark. It effectively sealed the fate of the devastating loss, and Pulisic was seen on the bench with his head buried in his hands for much of the remaining time.
The forward would later learn that he had sustained a bone bruise and a micro-fracture in his tibia/fibula; yet critics still argued that he should have gutted it out in what was the most important match of his career to date.
"Obviously he has different circumstances as to why things have happened in the way that they have, [like] him getting injured in the World Cup," Acosta said. "Sometimes things happen. This is football. This is life."
In the wake of the World Cup, Pulisic has had a difficult road to recovery. He remained an unused substitute in AC Milan's opening three fixtures, a situation that had reportedly "upset" him according to Milan boss Ruben Amorim. He has since gradually worked his way back into the starting eleven, though he still has just one goal to his name.
He was also left out of Pochettino's squad for the fall international window, as the Argentine manager opted for 13 uncapped players — including eight teenagers — over the experienced campaigner. Despite Pulisic's omission, the young side rolled to four consecutive wins.
Pulisic is simply going through a rough patch, according to Acosta, and shouldn't be so swiftly dismissed by the soccer world.
"To criticize him at the level that people have, that's crazy unfair," Acosta exclaims. "And to even question that he'll still be in the [player] pool ... I'm like, 'You guys are crazy.' A person of his caliber, you're gonna say that he doesn't belong within the team, and he shouldn't be there. You guys are crazy.
"People are just so fickle. I mean, it's up and down. It's like they love you when you're at your best and they hate you at your worst."
Will Pulisic Make the 2030 World Cup?
Many have already ruled Pulisic out of contention for the 2030 World Cup. He will be 31 years old at that point — the same age Acosta is now. Despite still being an active player for Polish club Pogoń Szczecin, Acosta himself hasn't featured for the Stars and Stripes since 2023, prior to his 28th birthday.
Nonetheless, Acosta is fully confident that Pulisic will play a central role in 2030.
"He's a man of the moment," he stated. "Whenever there is something that needs big moments, he shows up. He scores some incredible goals, some big goals. He finds a way, and we've seen it time and time again."
"You always felt like there was some magic he was going to figure out and do, and he's done it," Acosta added. "... He's done it for club and country, and I wouldn't see why not in 2030. I think he will still play a pivotal role for our team."
Acosta may have full belief in Pulisic, but the real question that lingers is: does Pochettino?