​The country is still absorbing the United States’ exit from the 2026 World Cup after a 4-1 defeat to Belgium, a result that closed the book on one of the three host nations’ campaigns. Included in this examination are insights from USA TODAY’s soccer experts. A major talking point for the USMNT during the tournament was Christian Pulisic. The 27-year-old captain had long been the public face of the team, and of the competition itself, with endorsements from brands like Wells Fargo, McDonald’s, Hershey’s and more. He had a strong showing in the team’s opener, a 4-1 victory over Paraguay in which he contributed an assist, but a calf injury during the match forced him off at halftime, and he never seemed quite the same after that moment.
In a discussion moderated by national soccer writer Jon Arnold, USA TODAY’s panel of experts dissected Pulisic’s World Cup performance on a special episode of USA TODAY Sports’ “Sports Seriously” soccer podcast, published Thursday, July 9. “Aside from the first 45 minutes, he didn’t have it,” said Seth Vertelney, USA TODAY’s soccer editor. “I don’t want to downplay what he accomplished against Paraguay because I think in many ways that set the tone for their entire group stage. He was electric. They dismantled Paraguay largely because of him, and then they were able to push on to beat Australia and finish top of the group.”
The United States topped its group for the first time since 2010, even though Pulisic sat out the second match against Australia. He did return off the bench for the final group game against Turkey and started in the knockout rounds against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Belgium. “One of the big questions we may never fully answer is how much that calf injury affected him going forward,” Vertelney added. “He came in against Turkey and played well, so it seemed like he was back. But the bottom line is that his performances against Bosnia and Belgium did not meet the standard, and that’s going to be hard for him to take since those were the biggest games.”
Former United States women’s national team player Lori Lindsey agreed that Pulisic began the tournament strong. “When you look at those first 45 minutes, you can see the impact this guy can have,” she said. “No doubt when he’s on the field, our team is better for it. Especially when he’s running at teams, into open space, that is when he’s electric—very few players can stop him.” Yet she described Pulisic as not being fully in his comfort zone throughout the tournament, calling his overall performance “average.” Pulisic has developed his career abroad with some of the world’s top clubs, including Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea and, most recently, AC Milan.
Lindsey offered a nuanced assessment: “We’ve seen Christian Pulisic at his best when he’s more of a complimentary player, perhaps the best way to say it. When there’s a star player on the field who can pull focus, or if the team’s success is tied to another forward attracting attention, that’s when his talents tend to shine best.” As the World Cup chapter closes, the debate about Pulisic’s role, his injury’s impact, and his true peak within a national team system that often leans on a singular star remains a defining storyline for the USMNT going forward.