Christian Pulisic’s goalless streak for the US extends to eight games since 2024 as the FIFA World Cup approaches

With the World Cup approaching, Christian Pulisic’s goalless streak for the United States stretched to eight games in his career.

“Of course it’s frustrating, but I’m just staying positive,” he said after Tuesday evening’s 2-0 defeat to Portugal in a friendly match. “There are still a lot of big things ahead of us, and I know I’m going to get to the other side and things will click.”

Pulisic has not scored an international goal since the CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final against Jamaica on November 18, 2024, and he is winless in 12 games with AC Milan since December 28.

US coach Mauricio Pochettino moved the 27-year-old from winger to striker for the first time since taking over in October 2024, in a bid to give him more chances closer to goal. Pulisic had 28 touches, compared to 24 in the first half of Saturday’s 5-2 defeat to Belgium.

Pulisic missed the ball after an open volley from a Tim Weah cross in the 22nd minute and went just wide from outside the penalty area in the 36th minute. Pulisic was shown a yellow card for dissent in first-half stoppage time for kicking Samú Costa after being pushed off the ball.

«He was very active and I think he did well,» Pochettino said. «Pity or a bit ashamed that he didn’t score with the chance he (had). It’s normal.»

With 32 goals in 84 international appearances over a decade, Pulisic is America’s top player. He scored ten goals in his first fifteen games for AC Milan this season.

«Yes, he feels frustrated, but that’s what we want, what we expect. He was fighting,» Pochettino said. «He will score because he has the quality. I am sure he will return to his club. … He will score again.»

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In preparation to co-host the World Cup in June, the US has lost eight straight games to European opponents, being outscored 22-6. Since 2021, it has been scoreless against the continent for ten games.

«Both first halves, and we caused the teams a lot of problems. We put a lot of pressure on them. We did a lot of great things,» Pulisic said. “It’s just little moments or just being a little bit more clinical and it’s just the same story, but I feel very close and I feel like we’re in a good place.”

Pochettino will announce his World Cup squad on May 26, and the Americans will play their final warm-ups against Senegal five days later and Germany on June 6. They open the World Cup against Australia on June 12, play Paraguay a week later and close the first round against Turkey on June 25.

Pulisic reflected on the last two matches before the 2022 World Cup, a 2-0 defeat against Japan and a 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia. The tournament saw the USA draw Wales and England before beating Iran 1–0 after a Pulisic goal, followed by a round of 16 loss to the Netherlands.

“I remember people doubting us after that camp,” he said of the September 2022 friendlies. “Maybe we didn’t have a great camp, and at the end of the day we go in, we have a great World Cup. It’s all behind us. So like I said, better now, and we’re going to figure it out. We’re going to figure it out when it really matters.”

Published on April 1, 2026