Can Christian Pulisic Really Save Milan & USMNT?
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- Опубликовано: 30 ноя 2023
- In the coldest game ever in the history of the U.S. men’s national soccer team, in St. Paul, Minnesota, and at 19 degrees below zero, the U.S. men's soccer team beat Honduras 3-0 to earn a much-needed World Cup qualifying win, which eventually helped them reach the 2022 World Cup, after they had surprisingly missed the one before in 2018 in Russia. The game was so cold and not just for the poor Honduras players, who 2 of them were taken off the field and treated for hypothermia, but even American goalkeeper Matt Turner said his boogers had frozen during the game. Red hot Christian Pulisic, however, didn’t seem to mind the freezing temperatures and less than three minutes after coming off the bench, he secures America’s vital win by scoring the 3rd and final goal.
But Christian Pulisic, at that time, had been really struggling, especially at club level, where he was getting very little play time. So not just playing but captaining the American team was vitally important for his career. And captain America did not disappoint. His struggles with Chelsea didn’t stop him from winning the CONCACAF Nations League in 2021 and 2023, scoring his first international hat-trick in the win over Panama in the World Cup qualifiers, receiving his first FIFA World Cup Man of the Match award in the draw against England and scoring the winner in the United States' 1-0 win over Iran to help America qualify to the World Cup knock out stages.
So, the player had potential. And that’s why even when Chelsea were no longer interested in keeping him in London, Italian giants AC Milan gladly signed him for only 20 million dollars, which was a steal because Chelsea had bought him from Borussia Dortmund for 63 million dollars. And despite criticism of the player’s form and of the signing, it turned out to be a match made in heaven. He scored in his debut, scored in his second game, was named the club's Player of the Month for August and scored a last-minute winner in a dramatic 1-0 win over Genoa. But even off the field, and in a very short period of time, Pulisic has helped Milan see the commercial benefits of signing him, where the club’s popularity has really grown in America, with an astronomical increase by 713% in Milan’s Jersey sales.
But for a player who had really struggled at Chelsea, why is Pulisic suddenly playing good with Milan? Well, first of all, it kind of seems that failing at Chelsea and moving to Italy is a great recipe for success. Mo Salah had failed miserably at Chelsea and when he moved to Italy to play with Fiorentina and Roma he came back to the Premier League as an absolute legend of the sport. So Christian Pulisic could pull off another Mo Salah and revitalize his career in Italy. Second, Pulisic joined ex Chelsea teammate Olivier Giroud who AC Milan also signed from Chelsea and it seems that it’s not just the friendship, but Giroud’s striker or centre-forward position that attracts the defenders to him, is helping with Pulisic’s style of play as a winger who often needs some space to get comfortable with his play. And along with Rafael Leao, the team’s attack is looking as sharp as they’ve looked in a long time.
But Pulisic can’t get too comfy neither with Milan nor with America. Milan were grilled from their fans just last season for a string of bad results. And whether he likes it or not, he has become the face of the country that is hosting the next world cup in 2026. So, Captain America … must … step up … for the occasion. But will he be able to do so? 
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I haven’t really followed him at Milan, but it seems like he had the potential to be an effective player there.
One important factor you mentioned is the marketing aspect in North America, that will bring much needed revenue for Milan.
Nice and very interesting presentation.. he is a talented and valuable player who deserves to be followed and encoureged
Thanks for the great comment. The player has potential, so we'll see if he lives up to it.
I still can't believe that USA soccer scheduled a game in -19 degree weather. That was incredibly reckless. Someone could have seriously gotten injured or sick.
The game before was in Canada so they said it was for logistical reasons so the US players wouldn’t have to travel for long distances, but I personally believe it was tactics so that the poor Honduras players couldn’t play in this weather. But I agree with you, totally reckless.
Save from what?
Save from bad results like failing to qualify to a World Cup (which is what the video refers to at the very start) and from a weak position in the league (which the video mentions at the end).
@@ahmedelaroussi In 2021-22 season Rossoneri were the champions of Italy (after 11 years), in season 2022-23 they played UCL semis (after 16 years) and earned a lot of money. He doesn't have to save anything, he’s just a part of the project.
@@andjelkozlotvor USMNT qualified to every World Cup since 1990 but missed the 2018 one, and you just clearly pointed out the years and years of Milan struggles. Milan used to be monsters in Europe, but now they’re barely qualifying and exiting the group stages every time. That’s not the Milan we all now. So while I respect your opinion that that’s normal, USMNT and Milan need a star who will take them back to glory. Especially USMNT with the upcoming World Cup.
Pulisic > Neymar
Again, I agree, but only if he gets things right in Milan.
Good luck to him. He is a very talented player 👏
Yes, indeed. I believe he has potential and with hard work and a bit of luck, he can become a great player.