C. Pulišić

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse are back with a special episode of State of the Union. To celebrate being 50 days out from the 2026 FIFA World Cup™, Alexi power ranked all 48 teams in this summer’s tournament. Additionally, Alexi and Mosse preview the AC Milan – Juventus match this weekend that will see Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie square off. In #AskAlexi, the guys are hit with a shocker: should Pulisic be starting for the USA in the World Cup at all? And in One for the Road, Alexi and Mosse go over the newest valuations of clubs around the world including some BIG numbers attached to numerous MLS clubs. Presented by Zillow #Zillow Chapters: 0:00 Intro (3:41) Power Rankings 48-41: CONCACAF HATE? (6:21) Power Rankings 40-36: AUSSIE, AUSSIE, AUSSIE (7:53) Power Rankings 35-31: Mo Salah and Co underrated? (9:58) Power Rankings 30-26: Scotland run incoming? (11:43) Power Rankings 25-21: Watch out for Türkiye (13:30) Power Rankings 20-16: Norway darkhorses no more... (15:15) Power Rankings 15-11: Should USA be in top 10? (17:57) Power Rankings 10-6: Estevao OUT (21:09) Power Rankings 5-1: Yamal... also OUT? (33:35) U.S. Abroad: McKennie vs Pulisic (35:01) USA Coaches Roundtable: MLS Quota for a U.S. Roster? (43:24) #AskAlexi: Bench Pulisic? (49:02) One For The Road: MLS teams ranked among most valuable clubs in world #StateOfTheUnion #USMNT #WorldCup Subscribe to get the latest from Alexi Lalas' State of the Union: http://sprtspod.fox/SUBSCRIBEtoSOTU Listen to Alexi Lalas' State of the Union on Apple Podcasts: http://sprtspod.fox/sotu Follow SOTU on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SOTUWithAlexi Follow SOTU on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sotuwithalexi/ Follow SOTU on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sotuwithalexi Like SOTU on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SOTUWithAlexi About Alexi Lalas' State of the Union Podcast: U.S. Soccer legend Alexi Lalas discusses the biggest stories in the world of soccer from an American perspective. Join Alexi and soccer guru David Mosse, as they break down the USMNT, USWNT, MLS, Bundesliga, Premier League, World Cup & everything in between. 50 Days Out Special: Ranking EVERY FIFA World Cup Team & Yamal OUT? www.youtube.com/@StateOfTheUnion

The former coaches of the United States men's national team map out the path to success at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

By: Oliver Fisher Christian Pulisic has looked ahead to the home World Cup this summer, insisting the United States are in a good place as a team. The USA are one of the host nations and the pressure is really ramping up on them as their struggles to get results continues. Over the most recent international break they […] The post “I don’t take it lightly” – Pulisic confident ahead of World Cup despite personal struggles appeared first on SempreMilan.

By: Oliver Fisher There will be an all-American clash at San Siro on Sunday night as Christian Pulisic’s AC Milan host Weston McKennie’s Juventus. La Gazzetta dello Sport begin a report by pointing out that Pulisic and McKennie will face off for the last time as opponents this season. Once Milan-Juve is over, the pair will meet back […] The post GdS: Pulisic to face compatriot McKennie again – why they are in polar opposite moments appeared first on SempreMilan.

With less than two months to go before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Christian Pulisic spoke about the current form of the USMNT. This summer, the USMNT will face what is likely the biggest challenge in its history. As the main host of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the team will aim to deliver a performance that satisfies its fans—something Christian Pulisic reflected on. “The team’s in a good place. People should be excited and hopefully ready to cheer us on,” the forward said in a recent interview with Reuters. “I know the energy in the stadiums is going to be great. We want to take as much of that as we can, take that motivation and push to make the American people proud.” The USMNT will compete in Group D. They will open their campaign on June 12 at SoFi Stadium against Paraguay, before traveling to Seattle a week later to face Australia. Their group-stage run will conclude on June 25, back in California, against Turkey. Pulisic later expanded on why he believes American fans should be excited about the USMNT, attributing it not only to their role as hosts but also to the team’s quality. In fact, when asked whether this is the best U.S. team he has been part of, the forward responded: “I think you could say so.” Mauricio Pochettino, head coach of the USMNT. Regarding the strengths of Mauricio Pochettino’s squad, Pulisic was clear. “Looking at the guys playing at the highest levels and doing extremely well at their clubs, and I think for sure you have a really, really strong squad and depth as well,” said the AC Milan star. The USMNT’s growth in recent years It is no coincidence that Pulisic pointed to his own form and that of his teammates as key factors behind this USMNT potentially being stronger than in previous years. The vast majority of players currently in the squad—and likely to be part of Pochettino’s final 26-man roster—are playing in Europe. This trend of increasing European-based players and fewer from Major League Soccer has been growing with each World Cup. After the league’s creation in 1996, the USMNT brought 16 MLS players out of 22 to France 1998. That number has steadily declined over the years. This is not necessarily due to a drop in MLS quality—which has become increasingly competitive—but rather because top American players are in higher demand across the global soccer market. In fact, in Pochettino’s most recent USMNT squad for the March FIFA international break, only nine of the 27 called-up players currently play in MLS. This includes all four goalkeepers, meaning the number of domestic-league players seeing time on the field is even lower. The remaining 18 players are all based in Europe. Pulisic motivated by the World Cup After the USMNT’s absence from 2018 World Cup in Russia, Pulisic played his first FIFA tournament at Qatar 2022, where he started all four matches before the team’s elimination in the Round of 16 against the Netherlands. Now, he will have another opportunity—and he understands what it means. “A World Cup is enough motivation in itself and having it in the U.S., having my family and close friends there, there’s just nothing more you can ask for,” Pulisic told Reuters. “Representing the U.S. and being able to wear that crest, I don’t take it lightly.”

Tom Bogert and Tab Ramos break down the biggest storylines surrounding the USMNT heading into the FIFA World Cup, including the red-hot form of Folarin Balogun and the missed opportunity to build chemistry with Christian Pulisic during the March friendlies. They also discuss Pellegrino Matarazzo’s stunning Copa del Rey triumph and what it could mean for his future — could he one day lead the USMNT, or even make a jump to Real Madrid? Tom and Tab then rank their Top 5 most trusted USMNT players heading into the World Cup, with a few notable absences sure to spark debate. Plus, Tab shares his perspective on why the rise of Major League Soccer hasn’t necessarily translated into a true growth in soccer culture across the United States. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pulisic, long the face of U.S. football, said the team was in a good ⁠place as attention begins to build around a tournament that will be staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Christian Pulisic is set to be one of USA’s star players at this summer’s World Cup