USMNT
USMNT legend tells captain Christian Pulisic to step up
Former United States goalkeeper and English Premier League star Tim Howard stressed the importance of the AC Milan man.
One of the biggest surprises during the second part of the October FIFA break was Christian Pulisic’s departure from the US National Team camp ahead of their match against Mexico in Guadalajara, which they ultimately lost 2-0. In response to this situation, Tim Howard sent a message to the AC Milan star.
Howard says Pulisic should be there for USMNT
In his column for the Daily Mail in the UK, legendary US goalkeeper Tim Howard wrote: “US fans have endured the Copa América debacle and then the dismissal of Gregg Berhalter. It’s no wonder they were hungry for a fresh start and a strong performance. It’s no wonder they felt disappointed when that didn’t happen, especially against Mexico.
“Especially when their star player was nowhere to be seen. Christian Pulisic left the team to rejoin AC Milan and manage his workload. Fans have every right to feel frustrated at such a crucial moment. Pulisic is our most important player, our best player, and this was not a normal US National Team training camp. It marked the start of Pochettino’s reign and the countdown to the 2026 World Cup,” Howard commented.
Following this, Howard emphasized the commitment of ‘Captain America’
“Christian is a good leader for this group. No one can question his commitment to the US National Team, and no one can deny that he needs to take care of his body. But even if he doesn’t play, he should be there to help build the culture and lead by example. I’ve been a veteran player with a strong presence in the locker room.”
Howard also points to AC Milan
The goalkeeper, who had a historic performance in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, also took the opportunity to address the Rossoneri club: “Anyone who has played internationally knows that the tug-of-war between club and country is real. It’s not a problem exclusive to Pulisic or AC Milan. All great players and all great teams have to deal with it. It’s a constant back-and-forth.”
“But at some point, Pochettino, Pulisic, must flex their muscles and tell Milan: ‘This is how it’s going to be. We need Christian, whether to play or just to be present.’ These are normal conversations that happen between clubs and national teams all the time. It’s always a huge struggle,” Howard added regarding the issue.