Winger Provided an Assist on the Opener Before Scoring One of His Own in the Win Over Senegal
For months, the narrative surrounding Christian Pulisic had become almost impossible to escape. America's best player hadn't scored for club or country since late December, a drought that stretched across 22 games and consumed nearly every conversation about the US men's national team heading into a home World Cup. The questions were relentless. The scrutiny was exhausting.
Pulisic, to his credit, never stopped believing. "I've felt this confidence," he said after Sunday's match. "I've played really well in recent months, too, but all people seem to care about is goals. So hopefully now people can stop talking about it."
They can. At least for now.
Against Senegal in Charlotte, the 27-year-old looked every bit the player who tore through Serie A in the fall, constantly probing, pulling defenders out of position and arriving in dangerous areas. His connection with Ricardo Pepi was the story of the first half, the two combining for both goals in a 20-minute stretch that reminded onlookers just how good this team can be when Pulisic is at his best. He set up Sergiño Dest's opener with a perfectly weighted cross, then calmly rounded goalkeeper Mory Diaw to slot home his 33rd international goal. When he dropped to his knees at the corner flag, fists pumping, the relief was written all over him.
Coach Mauricio Pochettino, who had publicly declared earlier in the week that Pulisic would score at the World Cup, pointed to the work his star put in during training as the foundation for what unfolded.
With Germany next Saturday and Paraguay in the World Cup opener on June 12, the timing could not be better. A player who carries the ceiling of an entire program finally looks like himself again, and that should worry everyone else.
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