The countdown to the World Cup is on, and for U.S. men's national team fans, the biggest question mark right now is Christian Pulisic's health and form. The 27-year-old star, who has become the face of American soccer, is facing his toughest stretch just as the biggest moment of his career approaches.
Pulisic has been everywhere lately—on the cover of Time magazine, featured in Fox Sports promos, and starring in commercials for deodorant, sports drinks, and soccer cleats. He's undeniably the most recognizable figure in U.S. soccer, especially with a home World Cup on the horizon. But one place he's been conspicuously absent? The scoresheet.
On Sunday, the drought took a physical turn. Slated to start for AC Milan against Atalanta, Pulisic was scratched with a gluteal muscle strain. The 3-2 loss at home was a tough one to watch, but the real concern is what this means for the weeks ahead. It's unclear if he'll return for Milan's final two Serie A matches before the USMNT World Cup training camp opens on May 27 in the Atlanta area.
This injury is the latest setback in a campaign that started with so much promise. Last summer, Pulisic was on fire—four goals and two assists in his first five Serie A matches. Even after a hamstring injury in October, he bounced back with four goals in four games. But since New Year's Day, the magic has faded. He's gone 17 club matches without a goal, including 11 starts, and his frustration was visible during March friendlies against Belgium and Portugal.
"I know I'm going to get to the other side, and things are going to click," Pulisic said after those losses. But in five Milan matches since, the goals still haven't come, and now his playing time is in jeopardy.
Of course, Pulisic's value goes far beyond just scoring. He's a creator, a playmaker, and a leader on the pitch. But even his overall game has slipped during this rut. For a player who thrives on confidence and rhythm, the timing couldn't be worse. The World Cup camp is just weeks away, and the question on everyone's mind is simple: Can he get healthy and find his form before the biggest few weeks of his life?