Christian Pulisic, once hailed as the golden boy of American soccer, is facing the toughest stretch of his professional career. The AC Milan winger hasn't found the back of the net in 1,103 minutes of play—a staggering 18-game scoreless run that has fans and pundits alike wondering if he can rediscover his form in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
It's a far cry from the fantasy scenario recently painted by FOX Sports, where Pulisic scores a stunning Olympico—a direct corner kick goal—to lead the U.S. Men's National Team past Brazil in extra time and win the World Cup at MetLife Stadium. That dream, set to Elvis Presley's "The Impossible Dream," shows American fans erupting in celebration. But for the USMNT to turn that fantasy into reality, Pulisic needs to be at his absolute best.
Right now, he's anything but. His last goal came in first-half stoppage time during Milan's 3-0 win over Hellas Verona on December 28. Since then, he's managed just one assist and one yellow card across all competitions. In his most recent outing—a 30-minute substitute appearance in a 2-0 loss to Sassuolo on May 3—Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport handed him a harsh 5 out of 10 rating.
"They describe him as tormented, reeling from personal problems," Gazzetta reported. "Pulisic has become unrecognizable. He appears to be heading down the same grim path as Leão." That's a reference to teammate Rafael Leão, the Portuguese forward who has also struggled alongside Pulisic in Milan's attack.
The root of the problem? Both players are being deployed as wingers without a true center forward to play off of—a tactical mismatch that's stifling their creativity and goal-scoring instincts. For a player of Pulisic's caliber, known for his explosive runs and clinical finishing, this drought is more than just a slump; it's a crisis of confidence.
With the World Cup on home soil just around the corner, the clock is ticking. Can Pulisic shake off the weight of personal struggles and tactical misfits to become the leader the USMNT needs? For now, the answer remains uncertain—but the stakes have never been higher.