Christian Pulisic explains why his screaming celebration was about more than ending scoring drought

Christian Pulisic, who scored and notched an assist in the U.S. men's national soccer team's World Cup friendly against Senegal last week, discusses what it's like to represent country on home soil in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

As Christian Pulisic side-stepped Senegal’s goalkeeper and watched his shot hit the back of the net, the U.S. men’s national team (USMNT) star sprinted to the corner flag, got on his knees, balled his fists and let out a roaring scream as the stadium went into a frenzy above him.

Pulisic, who has been referred to as "Captain America" for the USMNT, had just put his squad up 2-0 in the World Cup friendly against Senegal in Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium. It marked his first goal of 2026, including his time with AC Milan, and his first for the U.S. since 2024 against Jamaica in the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal.

With the scream, fans believed Pulisic was physically letting that weight go from his shoulders before the World Cup. But it was something more for the USMNT veteran.

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Christian Pulisic celebrates after scoring the second goal for the United States during an international friendly match against Senegal at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on May 31, 2026. (Omar Vega/USSF/Getty Images)

"Honestly, yeah, scoring after a while. But also, just being in the U.S. and knowing that we have this moment in front of us, it’s such a crazy opportunity. It seems surreal," Pulisic told Fox News Digital, while highlighting his partnership with Hershey’s, an American staple that he grew up around in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

"Just scoring there, having my brothers around me. It’s such an exciting moment. Honestly, this means so