Pulisic admits prominence on US, Chelsea sometimes a burden

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Christian Pulisic has been on a roller coaster.

America's top player won the Champions League, then was sidelined for nearly two months. He battled for inclusion in Chelsea's lineup and been shifted from his usual wide midfield role to center forward and even wingback.

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"It’s been up and down this year, for sure," he said ahead of the United States' frosty World Cup qualifier against El Salvador on Thursday night. "Not exactly where I want to be and how I want things to be right now. But, yeah, I’m just going to keep going."

Wearing long trousers and gloves, a few topped by ski hats, U.S. players practiced Wednesday in 10 degree weather (minus-12 Celsius), a contrast to the 72 degrees (22) in San Salvador for the opening 0-0 draw on Sept. 2.

They face three games in an eight-day span, two of them at home, and with two wins would move into commanding position to clinch a berth during the final three qualifiers in March. Canada leads North and Central America and the Caribbean with 16 points, one ahead of the U.S., with Mexico and Panama at 14 points. El Salvador is seventh with six.

U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter has shifted to restrained confidence, admitting that in September he was "a little bit more bold with my prediction."

"They’re going to be pressing really high, and we’ve got to move the ball quickly," he said of El Salvador. "They were the best pressing team in the first eight games."

Among the few holdovers from the failed U.S. 2018 World Cup effort, Pulisic is the American centerpiece.

Still just 23, the Hershey, Pennsylvania native became the first American to appear in and win a