In the build-up to the World Cup, U.S. men’s national team star Christian Pulisic was often asked how this tournament could change his life. Pulisic downplayed it, viewing this summer as another big moment in a career filled with them.After all, Pulisic had long been the heir to the “Captain America” nickname passed through the generations and for years he’s been the face of the national team. There was a time where he was referred to as “The LeBron James of Soccer” thanks to an episode of “Pawn Stars,” and he already won a Champions League title with Chelsea. There is a fair argument to be made, in a vacuum, it really just is another tournament for someone like him.But legends of the program, who lived through a home World Cup in 1994, disagree. If you think you’re famous and beloved now, just wait and see what happens after you make noise this summer. That’s what Tony Meola, U.S. goalkeeper and captain in ’94, told The Athletic. Tab Ramos, viewed by many as the program’s best midfielder and a hero of that ‘94 team, agreed.This summer can be life-changing for the 26 players in that locker room. So far, the group has not only met the challenge, but it has exceeded expectations while sweeping up hearts and minds across the country. On Monday, these U.S. men have their biggest game yet: a round-of-16 clash against Belgium in Seattle, set against the backdrop of a bona fide World Cup controversy.Flo Balogun’s red card is being suspended. Here’s why that’s controversial.Henry Bushnell and Jayne OrensteinWith another chapter in their story on deck, get to know even more about the players who have featured most prominently in the U.S.’s World Cup run. These are the untold stories of some of those players:Christian PulisicHow Klinsmann green-lit his trip to promJust months after making his senior national team debut, a 17-year-old Pulisic approached head coach Jurgen Klinsmann with a request. He broached the conversation with caution as it was no small ask.Pulisic hoped he might be able to depart training camp for a day to attend his hometown prom.The USMNT was in Kansas City preparing for the Copa America. His prom, in Hershey, Pa., was the day before the team played a friendly against Bolivia.“I don’t know how important something like that is, I didn’t grow up in the U.S.,” Klinsmann told The Athletic. “I told him to give me a couple minutes.”Klinsmann called his wife, Debbie, who is U.S. born and raised, to get her thoughts. He wasn’t sure just how much a prom can mean to a kid. She quickly explained and, in fact, she implored her husband to say yes.Are you serious? Klinsmann asked his wife. She insisted: Absolutely you have to let him go.Klinsmann took her guidance to heart. He relayed to Pulisic: You’re clear to go as long as you’re back in time the next morning.Arrangements were made and Pulisic was able to go and get back in time for the friendly against Bolivia.“I thought it was a wonderful thing, he cared so much about seeing his friends from childhood and his hometown,” Klinsmann said. “I think it was adorable, it shows his connection to his roots. He cares about where he’s from, he never forgot that.”A baby-faced Christian Pulisic celebrates his first USMNT goal in May 2016 (Colin E. Braley / AP Photo)The next day, Pulisic became the youngest U.S. men’s goalscorer ever, to add to the legend.Chasing his dream of professional soccer, Pulisic missed out on countless so-called “normal” experiences for a kid. Pulisic had left his hometown before his 16th birthday to sign with Borussia Dortmund and start his career in Germany. So this was a special opportunity.“It was as much a lesson for me as it was for anybody else,” Klinsmann admitted.Pulisic made good on his preternatural talent that saw him break records in his teenage years, then become the most expensive American soccer player ever in a transfer worth north of $70 million to Chelsea from Dortmund. He won the Champions League with the English club and has since moved to Italian giants AC Milan.For the 27-year-old to accomplish all he has, and to shoulder the burden as the face of the USMNT at a home World Cup, Klinsmann isn’t surprised.“We saw the potential and talent … then you need to execute without fear,” Klinsmann said. “And he never had fear. We saw that early.”Tyler AdamsA dog from when he was a pupTyler Adams was 15 when walked into his first training sessions with the first team of Red Bull New York.Felipe Martins, a starting defensive midfielder for the Red Bulls at the time, knew of Adams’ talent and potential.“I was never easy on young players,” Martins told The Athletic. “I think these days you just go and let the kids do whatever they want and they become spoiled. Kids who show potential, I challenge them. When Tyler trained with us, I went at him the same I do to anyone.”In 2017, Martins was voted by MLS players in an anonymous poll as the second-dirtiest player in the league. In a 2023 MLSPA player poll, he was voted as the league’s best trash talker.In short: Not a guy to mess with.In one of those first sessions, Martins arrived in a 50-50 challenge on a scrawny Adams with full force. The next chance Adams had, he laid a heavy challenge on Martins, which the veteran didn’t appreciate.“You have to respect me,” Martins screamed at Adams. Adams got right in his face and screamed back: “If you want respect, you have to respect me too. It doesn’t matter if I’m young.”Tyler Adams, center right, with former Red Bulls teammate Felipe Martins (Vincent Carchietta / USA TODAY Sports)It came close, but no punches were thrown. It wasn’t the last time the two almost came close to blows in a training session. But from that moment on, Adams had Martins’ respect.“I loved it,” Martins said. “I just loved it. That’s when he started to show his personality. There was other heated moments and he never backed down for one second, since day one.”Martins would become Adams’ first roommate on the road. He says he helped show Adams the way of the dark arts, or, as he calls it, getting right up to the edge.“I was a master of that,” Felipe said with a laugh.The fearless player you see in the Premier League and at the World Cup for the U.S., the still slightly-built enforcer, has always been a dog.“Tyler is not pretending to be no one else,” Martins said. “He doesn’t do it for show. At 15 years old, he was already like this. Some can try to be tough. No, he doesn’t try to be tough. He’s really tough. He’s different.”