This article contains adult content that may be inappropriate for minors. Please confirm that you are 18 years or older to continue. This article contains images or details that some readers may find disturbing. Reader discretion is advised. Days before facing Portugal in a friendly, Christian Pulisic expressed determination to turn around his and the US national team's poor form, despite the heavy 2-5 defeat to Belgium last Saturday in Atlanta. The Milan player, who hasn't scored for his national team since November 19, 2024 (against Jamaica in the CONCACAF quarter-finals), nor for the Italians since 2025, admitted to being "disappointed" with his performance but refuses to give in to pessimism. The goal drought is a concern that led him to confess to coach Mauricio Pochettino: "I need to score." However, against Belgium, the goal did not come, and he even squandered some clear opportunities. One of them, a left-footed shot in the 52nd minute, was identified by Pochettino as one of the decisive moments of the game. "Normally, it's a play I finish," lamented Pulisic, visibly frustrated. A minute after the missed opportunity, Belgium scored, and the game spiraled out of control. "I need to be more lethal, without a doubt, in those moments," the player acknowledged. Despite the self-criticism, Pulisic remains confident. "It's frustrating for me; it's been a tough phase. But I feel confident in how I'm playing," he stated. "I feel good and I'm creating opportunities. So, I have to stay positive and keep going," he pointed out. Coach Mauricio Pochettino, who described the defeat as "painful," shares his player's calmness. When Pulisic spoke to him about his need to score, the coach's response was clear: "Relax. Calm down. You will definitely score because you have the ability to do so." Pochettino had previously stated that he was not worried about the forward's lack of goals. "Christian is playing. And, of course, he is not scoring; but for me, it's not just about goals. I'm happy with his performance, with how committed he is to the team, and with the time he is playing," he explained. Last weekend, while playing for Milan, Pulisic made his first assist of the calendar year. For the national team on Saturday, he appeared more dangerous in the second half when he played in a more central position, swapping with Malik Tillman. "It was good for a while. We were a bit more fluid at the start of the second half," he commented. Pulisic does not plan drastic changes to his routine. The strategy remains the same: recover physically, analyze mistakes, and "fight to achieve a good result and leave this behind." The player believes that luck can change at any moment, perhaps already in the next game against Portugal. "I know that at any moment a ball will hit my knee and go in, and then things will change. So, I'm not going to panic. Better now than in the summer. Things will change," he concluded confidently. Christian Pulisic (83 caps and 32 goals) is currently the fifth all-time leading scorer for the US national team, behind only Clint Dempsey (57), Landon Donovan (57), Jozy Altidore (42), and Eric Wynalda (34), and is seen as the star of the team, often wearing the captain's armband. This season, playing for Milan, alongside Rafael Leão, he has 10 goals and 3 assists, all in the first half of the season.
Christian Pulisic The Milan remains central to this story.
Christian Pulisic The Milan remains central to this story.
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