Can A Struggling Pulisic Regain His Form For The USA By The World Cup?

That is an astounding 128 days.

In Pulisic’s most recent appearance, a 30-minute stint as a substitute in a 2-0 loss at Sassuolo on Sunday, May 3, Italian daily newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport gave him a rating of a five out of 10.

"They describe him as tormented, reeling from personal problems," Gazzetta said. "Pulisic has become unrecognizable. He appears to be heading down the same grim path as Leão."

Gazzetta was referring to Portugal forward Rafael Leão, who has struggled with Pulisic up front.

Both players are being played out of position as wingers, and without a center forward.

MILAN, ITALY - APRIL 11: Massimiliano Allegri of Milan disappointment during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Udinese Calcio at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 11, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)

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Massimiliano Allegri gets part of the blame

“Christian is a very sensitive man, and this drought is hitting him harder," Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri told DAZN after a 0-0 draw with Juventus on April 26. “He is also someone who struggles more with the physicality of duels and the lack of a center forward, but I must try to give a balance to this team, as we have an objective to achieve.”

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Allegri added: “I realize he is not entirely suited to this. I had asked him to play center-right tonight and Leao center left, so we were without a center forward."

Since making his international debut in 2016, becoming the youngest U.S. player to score a World Cup qualifier at 16, Pulisic has scored 32 times in 84 international appearances. That includes a vital goal in a 1-0 win over Iran in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, a result that boosted the Americans into the knockout round.

But Pulisic hasn't found the net for the USMNT since giving the USA a 1-0 lead in a 4-2 win over Jamaica in a Concacaf Nations League match on Nov. 18, 2024.

That is almost a year and a half ago.

ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 28: United States midfielder Christian Pulisic (10) during the international friendly match between Belgium and the United States soccer teams on March 8, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by John Adams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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The World Cup is the place to shine and make history

Like many of his teammates, the World Cup will be the biggest tournament of Pulisic's career.

It is being played on U.S. soil for only the second time, and the first since 1994.

Some 32 years ago, the USMNT made sure it did not become the first host team to fail to reach the knockout, upsetting heavily favored Colombia, 2-1, in the process. The Americans lost to eventual champion Brazil.

Much more is expected of the American team this time around. Winning it is considered a longshot, even by the most optimistic observers.

At the age of 27, Pulisic (he turns 28 on Sept. 18) is prime time for international forwards. Many attacking players enjoy their best seasons between the ages of 23 and 31. There are, of course, exceptions, such as the fabulous and ageless Lionel Messi (38) and Cristiano Ronaldo (41), who are starring for club and country.

Pulisic will be 31 for the next World Cup in 2031, and given his injury history, he might not necessarily be the same player as he is today. An attacking player losing even a step at the international level can be devastating.

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So much is on the line for Pulisic and the USA.

He needs to be in top form, and so does his teammates if they want to go deep in the tournament.

Putting FOX Sports’ commercial aside, reaching the quarterfinals would be considered a decent achievement for the U.S. Anything more would be whipped cream and a cherry on top.

On May 26, USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino will announce his 26-man roster amid much hoopla in New York City. Outside of suffering an injury, Pulisic is expected to be named to the squad.

The USMNT has a relatively easy Group D schedule. The Americans play Paraguay in their opening match at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. on June 12, Australia in Lumen Stadium on July 19 and Türkiye back at SoFi on June 24. They should be able to get out of the group without major problems because the top two teams and the top dozen third-place sides will qualify for the Round of 32.

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - NOVEMBER 18: Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States celebrates scoring during the first half against Jamaica during leg two of the 2024 Concacaf Nations League Quarterfinals at Citypark on November 18, 2024 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Bill Barrett/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

Getty Images for USSF

Pulisic’s confident things are going to change

Players have been known to snap out of their personal slumps with stellar performances. Many goal-scorers do their thing in bunches.

The question is whether Pulisic can rediscover his form and confidence in time.

"I know a ball will hit off my knee and go in and then things will change," Pulisic said in March. "I’m not going to panic. Better now than in the summer. Things are going to change. That’s all I can do; just be positive."

He has five games to turn things around before the cup. A.C. Milan has three matches remaining - at home vs. Atalanta on May 10, at Genoa on May 17 and at home against Cagliari on May 24.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 06: Alexi Lalas speaks during the 2024 Hashtag Sports conference on June 06, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Hashtag Sports)

Getty Images for Hashtag Sports

Pulisic and the USA will have a pair of warm-up matches against World Cup-bound sides - Senegal in Charlotte, N.C. on May 31 and then Germany in Chicago on June 6.

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He does have his backers who are optimistic that the U.S. forward will turn it around.

"I’m not concerned about Christian Pulisic," FOX Sports commentator and former USMNT Alexi Lalas said. "I think he’s going to bring it. As I said, you don’t want to be called sensitive because what people think when you’re called sensitive is that you’re soft."

Only time will tell whether Pulisic can regain his scoring form.

Michael Lewis, the sixth recipient of the Clay Berling Media Career of Excellence Award in 2025, can be followed on X (formerly Twitter) and Bluesky at @Soccerwriter. His 10th soccer book, Around the World Cup in 40 Years: An American sportswriter's perspective, will be published this spring.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com