Christian Pulisic’s goal scoring drought dates back to 2024: Did he jinx himself with his viral ‘Trump dance’ celebration?
Ahead of the World Cup, doubts surround a USMNT team whose star player, Christian Pulisic, is in alarmingly poor scoring form.
Star forward Christian Pulisic heads into this summer’s World Cup on an 18-month-long goal drought for the U.S. men’s national team (USMNT), having again drawn a blank as Mauricio Pochettino’s side endured a disappointing March international window.
However, as the 2026 co-hosts ready themselves for June’s tournament kickoff, Pulisic has vowed that “things are going to be different”.
Pulisic off target for USMNT - and club form no better
In World Cup tuneups against Belgium and Portugal just over a month ago, the USMNT endured back-to-back defeats at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, following up a 5-2 thrashing by the Belgians with a 2-0 loss to the Seleção.
A starter in both friendlies, Pulisic extended his goalless sequence for the USMNT to eight games.
The 27-year-old managed the last of his 32 international goals back in November 2024, in the Stars and Stripes’ 4-2 win over Jamaica in the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals.
And USMNT fans’ concern over Pulisic is further fuelled by the fact that his poor scoring form is not confined to the international game. Since the turn of the calendar year, indeed, he has failed to add to his tally of 10 goals for club team AC Milan this season.
The Pennsylvania native last scored for the Rossoneri 16 games ago, in a 3-0 win over Verona on December 28.
“If I finish a couple chances...”
Speaking after March’s defeat to Portugal, Pulisic pledged to be more clinical in front of goal for the USMNT - and insisted that the Americans go into the World Cup in better shape than people may believe.
“Obviously, we’re disappointed with the results [against Belgium and Portugal],” the former Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea attacker said. “But to be honest, I’m taking a lot of positives from it. I think we’re a lot closer than it may seem. I still feel positive, and I have belief in this team.”
Pulisic added: “We even put a lot of pressure on them in the first half of both games, and were able to create chances. If I finish a couple chances, which I know I’m going to, things are going to be different... But I feel like we’re right in the game, and I feel good things are coming.”
Pulisic’s run of goalless USMNT games (minutes played in brackets):
- Mar. 21, 2025: USMNT 0-1 Panama, CNL (90 mins)
- Mar. 23, 2025: USMNT 1-2 Canada, CNL (69 mins)
- Sep. 6, 2025: USMNT 0-2 South Korea, friendly (90 mins)
- Sep. 10, 2025: USMNT 2-0 Japan, friendly (66 min)
- Oct. 11, 2025: USMNT 1-1 Ecuador, friendly (17 mins)
- Oct. 15, 2025: USMNT 2-1 Australia, friendly (31 mins)
- Mar. 28, 2026: USMNT 2-5 Belgium, friendly (71 mins)
- Mar. 31, 2026: USMNT 0-2 Portugal, friendly (45 mins)
A controversial goal celebration
Pulisic’s strike against Jamaica a year and a half ago is notable not only as his most recent goal for the USMNT, but also for his attention-grabbing, controversial celebration.
After netting the opener at St. Louis’ Energizer Park, Pulisic could be seen swaying and pumping his fists, in imitation of a dance performed by Donald Trump in the leadup to that month’s U.S. presidential election.
Pulisic later denied that his celebration represented a show of support for the Republican, who two weeks earlier had secured a return to the White House. “It was just a dance that everyone’s doing,” the player said. “He’s the one who created it. I just thought it was funny.”
Amid widespread criticism of the celebration, however, former USMNT captain Tim Howard voiced notable displeasure with Pulisic, labelling the player’s actions “stupid”. In a column for the Daily Mail, the retired goalkeeper said: “I don’t buy that [it wasn’t political]”.
By referencing a politician with a clear anti-diversity agenda, Howard argued, Pulisic had undermined key inclusivity and equality initiatives promoted by his colleagues in the U.S. women’s national team (USWNT).
“Pulisic is taking a lot of heat from soccer fans,” Howard wrote. “It’s hardly surprising, given the USWNT has led the fight for equal pay, and inclusion, and LGBTQ+ rights. Players such as Megan Rapinoe have gone to war with Trump. Now the USMNT’s biggest star is doing his dance.”
When does the USMNT’s World Cup campaign begin?
The USMNT, which is co-hosting this summer’s tournament with Canada and Mexico, begins its 2026 World Cup campaign on June 12, when it takes on Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Drawn in Group D, the Stars and Stripes then face Australia at Seattle’s Lumen Field on June 19, before returning to SoFi Stadium to round off the round-robin phase against Türkiye on June 25.
Ahead of the World Cup, the USMNT is to play two final warmup games: against Senegal on May 31, at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium; and against Germany on June 6, at Chicago’s Soldier Field.
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