As World Cup nears, Christian Pulisic’s scoring drought is problem for U.S.

Pulisic has failed to score in eight consecutive matches for the U.S., dating back to November 2024. He has a 12-game scoring drought with AC Milan.

“Of course it’s frustrating, but I am just going to stay positive,” Pulisic said. “A lot of big things ahead and I know I’m going to get through the other side and things are going to click.”

It will need to happen soon.

The U.S. will play friendlies against Senegal and Germany two months from now before beginning World Cup play against Paraguay on June 11. The Americans made it to the round of 16 in the 2022 World Cup. They are under pressure to make it at least that far this year with the event hosted in the U.S., Mexico and Canada.

Pulisic, 27, carries the heaviest weight among U.S. players. Some of his teammates play for major international clubs. None of them are as good as Pulisic. He spent four seasons with English Premier League club Chelsea before joining Italian Serie A power AC Milan for the 2023-24 season.

The good news for the U.S. is that its World Cup group doesn’t include any teams as good as Belgium (No. 9 in the FIFA world rankings) or Portugal (No. 6). The Americans (No. 15) are in Group D with Turkey (No. 25), Australia (No. 27) and Paraguay (40).

Still, it’s hard to imagine they can make it out of the group stage if Pulisic doesn’t find his scoring touch. His goal against Iran in the 2022 World Cup sent the Americans to the knockout round. Pulisic has scored 17 goals in 39 official games for the U.S. since making his national team debut in 2016.

It wasn’t a bad effort overall for the Americans against Portugal. They showed good speed and intensity while creating several good scoring chances in the first half. But Pulisic missed the easiest one of all.

It seemed certain he would end his scoring drought when Tim Weah sent a perfect pass to him from the right wing. The nearest Portugal defender stumbled as the ball came to Pulisic just in front of the 6-yard box.

Pulisic only needed to get a solid touch on the ball to beat goalkeeper José Sá. He didn’t touch the ball at all.

Pulisic couldn’t connect on another goal scoring chance in the 36th minute. His strike from outside the box was wide left. Pulisic also botched a breakaway chance in the 45th minute when his pass for Weston McKennie in was too late, allowing Portugal’s defense to recover.

Pulisic’s frustrations boiled over soon after that sequence. He lost the ball in Portugal’s box, then tripped Portugal’s Samú Costa. Pulisic earned a yellow card for that poor form.

Pulisic didn’t play after halftime as coach Mauricio Pochettino made several substitutions.

“I think he was very active,” Pochettino said. “I think he (did) a good job. I think he was involved in many actions. It’s normal (that) he was a little bit frustrated …

“He is going to score because he has quality. I am sure that when he (goes) back to his club he is going to score there.”

Portugal had no trouble winning without its best player. Ronaldo’s 143 international goals are the most all-time (Argentina’s Lionel Messi is second with 115). Ronaldo, 41, is expected to captain Portugal in the World Cup.

Without him, Portugal still fielded several top players. The starting 11 included Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) and Pedro Neto (Chelsea).

Fernandes set up Portugal’s first goal. After the U.S. gave the ball way in its end, he raced into the box to collect a through ball. Fernandes back-heeled a pass to Francisco Trincão, who beat goalkeeper Matt Freese with a precise strike.

Pulisic can score that kind of goal. It’s been a long time since he’s scored any goals at all. That’s a problem for the Americans as they get ready for the World Cup in their home country.

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