'Captain America' Pulisic faces sky-high World Cup expectations
The pressure is on for "Captain America" Christian Pulisic to put on a superhero performance on his World Cup debut in Qatar, building on years of sky-high expectations from his U.S. fans.
He was the youngest man to feature in a U.S. World Cup qualifier six years ago aged 17 before suffering the bitter disappointment of failing to qualify for the 2018 edition.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. But the Chelsea forward has emerged as the most recognisable face in a U.S. squad eager for redemption - and respect.
Coach Gregg Berhalter will unveil his final squad on Nov. 9 with Pulisic certain to be one of the first names on the list having already scored 21 goals in 52 internationals to stand sixth on the country's all-time scoring list.
The U.S. will be praying he does not pick up an injury ahead of the World Cup with Chelsea involved in so many matches.
"I have I don't even know how many games leading up. We have games every couple of days. So I have to be prepared as best I can take it game by game, prepare and take care of myself," he said after a draw with Saudi Arabia in the final warm-up match.
"And, you know, everything will fall into place once the World Cup comes around."
While Pulisic's role with the national team is clear, his place in the Chelsea side has appeared less certain at times.
He was frustratingly used as a second-half substitute through the London club's first five Premier League games this season with little time on the pitch, prompting concern that a lack of match practice could affect his performances in Qatar.
"I think it's a little bit worrying for Americans," said former England and Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher. "It doesn't look like he's going to be at his best in terms of fitness, energy, sharpness, or rhythm going into the World Cup."
Chelsea's appointment of new manager Graham Potter to replace Thomas Tuchel in September appeared to help Pulisic's situation, as he started and scored in their 3-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers last month.
But he sat on the bench against Aston Villa days laterto the bewilderment of fans. He has made 11 Premier League appearances overall this season.
Across the pond, where the "big four" men's leagues - NFL, MLB, NHL and NBA - dominate advertising dollars and television viewers, Pulisic has become U.S. soccer's best hope for a true global superstar in the men's game.
"Christian is the ultimate competitor," said Berhalter. "It seems like he's been in football for the last decade. He's seen it all, done it all and I think the World Cup will be a great moment for him."
United States hope to put World Cup demons behind them in Qatar
The United States will look to silence the critics after a rocky run-up to Qatar when they return to the World Cup stage for the first time in eight years.
Their failure to qualify for the finals four years ago prompted much soul-searching within the sport's national governing body, even as the women's side thrived.
But they appeared to exorcise the demons of that failed attempt in March by securing one of CONCACAF's three guaranteed World Cup spots despite a tepid start to their campaign with draws against El Salvador and Canada.
The achievement was met with relief in the U.S., which is set to host the 2026 finals along with Canada and Mexico.
But if the old saying "You're only as good as your last performance" is true, the Americans have plenty to worry about.
They failed to record a shot on goal in their penultimate warm-up match, a grim 2-0 defeat by Japan in September.
Days later Saudi Arabia, ranked 51st in the world, held the U.S. to a 0-0 draw as the Americans failed to find their rhythm.
Overall this year against World Cup contenders, the U.S. record is worrying with one win, three draws and three losses.
Coach Gregg Berhalter said his side were moving in the right direction after the Saudi friendly, telling reporters they could be "very dangerous" when they get their confidence up.
"It comes down to a little bit of tightness, a little bit of a lack of confidence and anxiety," he said.
"Everyone's fighting for roster spots. And, you know, instead of coming out and really performing like the team we know we are, we lacked a little confidence."
The U.S. World Cup squad will be announced on Nov. 9.
The heart of the team will be Christian Pulisic, the charismatic forward the U.S. hope will drum up the sport's popularity among fans usually more concerned with the NFL.
Berhalter, the youngest coach to manage the U.S. since 1995 when he was appointed four years ago aged 45, knows all about the pressure of playing for the national team having been in the squad the last time the U.S. reached the quarter-finals in 2002.
"Confidence is a tricky thing," he said. "We want them to just play and play with, you know, that aggression and that intensity and the speed that we know they can."
The 16th-ranked Americans will need every bit of talent available to them when they take on fifth-ranked England in Group B alongside Iran and Wales.
USA at the World Cup
FIFA Ranking: 16
Odds: 100-1
Previous tournaments:
The United States have appeared in 10 World Cups. Their best performance was at the inaugural tournament in 1930 when they finished third. They reached the quarter-finals in 2002 courtesy of a 2-0 knockout win over Mexico in the last 16.
Their stunning 1-0 win against England in the 1950 group stage is among the greatest upsets in World Cup history. However, the success was short-lived and the U.S. failed to qualify for the next nine editions of the tournament.
How they qualified:
The pressure was on after the U.S. failed to reach the 2018 finals as they missed out for the first time in over 30 years.
Their latest campaign started slowly with draws against El Salvador and Canada before a 4-1 win over Honduras. They got the job done by scoring 21 goals in 14 games to finish third in CONCACAF qualifying behind Canada and Mexico.
Form guide:
The U.S. enjoyed a 3-0 romp over Morocco at home and held Uruguay to a 0-0 draw in June friendlies but their final two warm-ups raised serious concerns over their chances in Qatar.
They failed to produce a shot on goal in a 2-0 drubbing by Japan in September before Saudi Arabia held them to a 0-0 draw as the U.S. struggled to dominate their lower-ranked opponents..
Squad:
Christian Pulisic headlines squad, while goalkeeper Zack Steffen misses out.
Goalkeepers: Ethan Horvath (Luton Town), Sean Johnson (New York City FC), Matt Turner (Arsenal)
Defenders: Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic), Sergiño Dest (AC Milan), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls), Shaq Moore (Nashville SC), Tim Ream (Fulham), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Joe Scally (Borussia Moenchengladbach), DeAndre Yedlin (Inter Miami CF), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC)
Midfielder: Brenden Aaronson (Leeds), Kellyn Acosta (LAFC), Tyler Adams (Leeds), Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Yunus Musah (Valencia), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders FC)
Forwards: Jesus Ferreira (FC Dallas), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea), Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund), Josh Sargent (Norwich City), Tim Weah (Lille), Haji Wright (Antalyaspor)
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