Pulisic is unhappy with USMNT fans. But price rather than passion is to blame

Brilliant with the ball at his feet. With a microphone in his face? Not so much.

Christian Pulisic’s precise control and adroit pass to set up the opening USMNT goal in Wednesday’s 3-0 win over Morocco was a highlight on an excellent night for Gregg Berhalter’s side. But the forward ensured headlines wouldn’t solely focus on the action when he criticized the below-capacity attendance in a post-match interview with ESPN.

Pulisic is not usually one of the squad’s more effervescent media talkers, but asked about returning to play in the US for the first time since March, the Chelsea attacker said: “It was nice. To be honest, for whatever reason, I’m not super happy with the amount of Americans here, however that works out, if I’m being completely honest.”

The announced crowd at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati was 19,512, many of them Morocco fans, in a venue that holds 26,000.

Related: Christian Pulisic unhappy with lack of US fans during home win over Morocco

Pulisic’s comment was indelicately phrased, though he did add: “Thanks to the ones who did come and the support is always great from them.” And no player should be expected to be at their most eloquent during the obligatory instant-reaction interview, when adrenaline flows, sweat glistens and they’re speaking between swigs of Gatorade. If asked more than two questions most players’ eyes dart around for an exit route as if they’re entering a hostage situation.

The 23-year-old is right to set high standards and to want his country to attract the levels of support enjoyed by the leading football nations. A crowd of fewer than 20,000 fans feels poor so soon after the sugar rush of Qatar 2022 qualification and with the tournament on the horizon. But it’s the US Soccer