FIFA World Cup
AC Milan forward Pulisic has been the US side's talisman since his teenage years, shouldering massive expectations in a nation not traditionally known for its football prowess.
With hopes running higher still as the US hosts the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1994, alongside Mexico and Canada, 27-year-old Pulisic remains unarguably the biggest name but said the squad around him is now "able to compete with anyone."
With hopes running higher still as the US hosts the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1994, alongside Mexico and Canada, 27-year-old Pulisic remains unarguably the biggest name but said the squad around him is now "able to compete with anyone."
"We want to be a real force in this tournament," he said. "We got three really good games to show everyone what we're all about."
The first of those comes against South American opposition in Paraguay, who are the lowest-ranked team in Group D, which also contains Australia and Turkey, but have as much FIFA World Cup pedigree as any of their rivals.
The South Americans reached the quarter-finals in 2010 - their last appearance on football's grandest stage - and beat both Argentina and Brazil during qualifying.
The first of those comes against South American opposition in Paraguay, who are the lowest-ranked team in Group D, which also contains Australia and Turkey, but have as much FIFA World Cup pedigree as any of their rivals.
The South Americans reached the quarter-finals in 2010 - their last appearance on football's grandest stage - and beat both Argentina and Brazil during qualifying.
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US head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who took Tottenham Hotspur to a Champions League final and also managed Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, is trying to make his talented team more streetwise.
Pulisic said the Argentine manager has helped the locker room prepare for South American opposition in a match on Friday that may be scrappy, physical, and not always be easy on the eye.
"We know we have to be ready to battle. It's not about just playing beautiful football - we have to do the little things and compete," said Pulisic.
Pulisic said the Argentine manager has helped the locker room prepare for South American opposition in a match on Friday that may be scrappy, physical, and not always be easy on the eye.
"We know we have to be ready to battle. It's not about just playing beautiful football - we have to do the little things and compete," said Pulisic.
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Pulisic had been suffering a five-month goal drought, but was in superb form in a 3-2 friendly win over Senegal last month, with a goal and an assist.
But he emphasised the credentials of the team around him.
"There's so many good players around me. I genuinely don't feel like I have to do anything on my own," Pulisic said.
Source: AFP
But he emphasised the credentials of the team around him.
"There's so many good players around me. I genuinely don't feel like I have to do anything on my own," Pulisic said.
Source: AFP
