Pulisic grew into the leadership role left behind by two USMNT legends and became the face of American soccer.
Why do they call Christian Pulisic 'Captain America'?
Christian Pulisic, now an AC Milan player, is known as “Captain America” with the United States men’s national team, a nickname that is easy to understand given the recent history of the American side.
The story behind Pulisic and ‘Captain America’
Pulisic inherited the No. 10 jersey when Landon Donovan retired from the U.S. national team, although at first he was not viewed as the leader Donovan had been for the Stars and Stripes.
The defining moment for the American forward came when Clint Dempsey stepped away from the national team. That was the point at which Pulisic became the unquestioned leader of the United States.
As he took on that leadership role, fans began referring to the forward as “Captain America,” inheriting a nickname that had once belonged to Donovan.
Once Pulisic assumed full control of the team’s leadership, there was no turning back. The former Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund player became the standard-bearer for the U.S. national team.
Pulisic earned the Captain America nickname on the field, showing leadership, lifting the spirits of his teammates in difficult moments, and taking control when things were not going well.
When he finally made fans move on from memories of Donovan and Dempsey, supporters embraced him as the Captain America the United States needed following the retirement of its most influential stars.
Pulisic and the United States will begin their World Cup campaign on Friday, June 12, against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium.
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