Christian Pulisic's 18-match scoring drought for AC Milan has raised concerns for the US men's national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup. But Fox Sports analyst Alexi Lalas says AC Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri's comment about Pulisic being "very sensitive" is equally troubling.
"The last thing you want to be called by a coach is sensitive," Lalas said on his podcast. He noted that while Pulisic may become the greatest male American soccer player in history, he hasn't lived up to expectations and is easily affected by outside factors.
Allegri said Pulisic lets his goal droughts "affect him more" and struggles physically when not scoring. Lalas emphasized that such a public label is damaging, adding, "From a public perspective, it's just not the thing you want to hear."
Pulisic ranks fifth all-time in USMNT scoring with 32 goals in 82 appearances. He became the youngest American to score 10 international goals in 2019. However, he hasn't scored in his last seven international matches, dating back to a friendly against New Zealand in September 2024.
Pulisic famously scored the decisive goal against Iran in the 2022 World Cup, sending the US into the knockout round. Now, with the 2026 World Cup being played on home soil, the pressure is on him to deliver again. The tournament runs June 11 to July 19, 2026, with the final at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.