The USMNT needs more from its biggest star Christian Pulisic: 'I'm not happy with my output'

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Christian Pulisic understands his role in these moments. As the face of the United States men's national team, he knows the spotlight is on him at all times. So when Pulisic fails to deliver in a game – or in this case, consecutive games — he feels the weight of expectations.

The USMNT put on two lousy performances at the Concacaf Nations League Finals. First, the squad was stunned by Panama in Thursday's semifinal when it gave up a stoppage time goal and lost 1-0. Then on Sunday, the team responded with further disappointment when Canada out-classed the Americans and pulled off a 2-1 victory. After winning the first three editions of this competition (in 2021, 2023 and 2024), the U.S. stumbled to a fourth-place finish.

"Of course we're disappointed," Pulisic told reporters following Sunday's loss. "It's not the end of the world for us. Now we have our clubs to focus on and lot of big things ahead, so I'm not overly negative about the situation. It's difficult. We're not at our best. And that's it."

The overall sentiment from a sullen USMNT on Sunday evening was that, yes, this was a setback, but there's still time to salvage things before the 2026 World Cup. The problem is, however, there really isn't much time left at all. There are 15 months before the World Cup. Between now and then, the U.S. will play in only one more knockout tournament at this summer's Gold Cup.

Nations League was supposed to show progress. Instead, the team appeared to regress. One of the glaring issues, among the many, was the team's top star, Pulisic was essentially invisible on the field. Even coach Mauricio Pochettino said ahead of the match vs. Canada that he expected more from him on this kind of stage.

"That is not the