Christian Pulisic may have finally ended his goal drought, but according to USMNT legend Tim Howard, that doesn’t mean the heat is off. In fact, sources close to the situation claim the pressure on the Milan star is only just beginning as the countdown to the 2026 World Cup on home soil enters its final, nerve-racking stretch.
For nearly five months, Pulisic had gone without a goal for either club or country — a stretch that had fans and pundits alike buzzing with concern. His last strike came way back in December 2024 for Milan against Hellas Verona, and his most recent international goal was from November against Jamaica. But in a friendly against Senegal, the 27-year-old finally broke through, scoring in the 20th minute after setting up Sergino Dest for the opener. It was a moment of relief — but insiders say the real test is still ahead.
A Goal, But Not a Cure-All
After the match, Pulisic seemed eager to move past the narrative, telling reporters, “Hopefully, we can stop talking about it.” But according to sources who spoke with us, that hope may be wishful thinking. “He is not living on this planet if he truly believes that one goal after a very long drought is going to make people stop talking,” Howard said on the Unfiltered Soccer Podcast. “They won’t.” Howard, a World Cup veteran, made it clear that elite players are held to a different standard. “If you weren’t the best player and potentially one of the USMNT all-time greats, they will stop talking. That’s not you. And this is just how it goes.”
The warning is stark: as the face of the national team heading into a World Cup on American soil, every touch, every miss, every celebration will be magnified. And according to reports, the coaching staff is privately mindful of the mental toll this could take on their star man.
Pochettino’s Public Praise Meets Private Concern
USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino has publicly backed Pulisic, calling his performance against Senegal “really, really good” and insisting the goal was the reward for hard work in training. “This is the way he’s been training from Day 1,” Pochettino said. But behind the scenes, one insider told us there’s an awareness that Pulisic’s form — particularly his ability to deliver under the brightest lights — will be scrutinized like never before. “The coach can say all the right things, but the World Cup doesn’t care about friendly results,” a team source reportedly said. “If Pulisic goes silent in the group stage, the noise will be deafening.”
What This Means for the 2026 World Cup
With the USMNT set to open the tournament against Paraguay, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Pulisic’s drought-breaking goal may have bought him a moment of peace, but Howard’s blunt assessment serves as a sobering reminder: in American soccer, the captain doesn’t get a pass. “He’s not just another player,” Howard said. “He’s the guy. And the guy gets judged differently.” And as one fan on social media put it, “One goal against Senegal doesn’t erase five months of silence. The real test starts now.”
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