Christian Pulisic, who has quickly established himself as a pillar of Milan’s current project, has the chance to surpass a record held by another iconic USMNT figure in Europe’s top five leagues—a player whose legacy the Milan star is steadily rewriting.

FIFA has released its latest world rankings, sparking questions about whether the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) and its star player, Christian Pulisic, have taken a hit following a disappointing CONCACAF Nations League campaign.

The USMNT looks increasingly like a project veering off course, just as the clock begins to tick louder towards the 2026 World Cup. Yet, things are going very wrong — and not just on the pitch.

The USMNT entered the CONCACAF Nations League Finals with expectations of success. Instead, they suffered back-to-back defeats. One of the key figures in the aftermath has been Christian Pulisic, the American captain and Milan star.

Christian Pulisic’s captaincy of the USMNT has come under fire following a disappointing CONCACAF Nations League campaign. However, Thierry Henry has now come to Pulisic’s defense, calling for a reassessment of expectations placed on the 26-year-old.

Donovan criticized the commitment of some USMNT players, suggesting that those unwilling to prioritize playing for their country should decline call-ups. He emphasized the importance of national pride and urged players to show greater dedication to the national team.

Despite the criticism, Pochettino highlighted the importance of the third-place playoff against Canada as a test of character. He made significant lineup changes, but the team's performance remained unconvincing. He attempted to emphasize the positive aspects of the team’s performance.

The USMNT fielded a young and relatively experienced starting eleven against Canada. Key statistics included an average age of 24 years, 164 days, and an average of 27 caps per player. Eight starters were 23 years old or younger, highlighting the team's focus on integrating young talent.

Mauricio Pochettino, currently the USMNT manager, is surprisingly mentioned as a potential replacement for Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham. This speculation has been fueled by social media and comments from journalist John Wenham, who believes Pochettino's fondness for London could make a return appealing.

The USMNT suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Panama in the CONCACAF Nations League semi-finals. As they now prepare for a third-place showdown against Canada, Pochettino has made it clear—he expects more from his players, including star forward Christian Pulisic.

The USMNT’s bid for a fourth straight CONCACAF Nations League title ended with a 1-0 loss to Panama. Criticism was aimed at head coach Mauricio Pochettino, while some blamed Christian Pulisic for not stepping up. After the match, Pochettino gave a blunt assessment of the team’s performance.

Christian Pulisic recently revealed what he believes is the key trait he is missing to reach the very top of the soccer world. His comments caught the attention of soccer legend Thierry Henry, who responded with a simple yet powerful five-word piece of advice.

Although many countries have not even played a single match in qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, one country has already guaranteed its spot in the elite event.

The USMNT suffered a shocking defeat at the hands of Panama in the CONCACAF Nations League semi-finals. However, beyond the defeat itself, another troubling takeaway emerged: the surprisingly low attendance, with Christian Pulisic’s reaction highlighting the growing concerns.

USA will clash with Panama in what will be the 2024/2025 CONCACAF Nations League semifinal. Discover how you can watch the interesting match in the United States.