Christian Pulisic has spent the better part of a decade being called the future of American soccer. At the 2026 World Cup, on home soil, the future has finally arrived.
The 27-year-old AC Milan winger and USMNT captain was named to the 26-man squad on May 26, 2026, and has already made his mark in the tournament. He registered an assist in the opening match against Paraguay, a performance that only added fuel to an argument that’s been building for years: Pulisic might be the greatest player the US men’s program has ever produced.
The case for Pulisic over Donovan
The statistical case is compelling. Pulisic became the fastest USMNT player to reach 50 goal contributions back in November 2024, a milestone that speaks to both his consistency and his longevity with the national team. He’s won four US Soccer Male Player of the Year awards, in 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2023, tying him with Donovan for the most in the award’s history.
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