USA Player Power Rankings: Why Christian Pulisic Misses Out For The Moment

A familiar face isn't included in Alexi Lalas' current top-five power rankings of U.S. men's national team players. But there is a good reason for that.

Christian Pulisic, who is expected to be a key player for the USA at this summer's World Cup, has recently been hobbled by injuries after a strong first half of the club campaign with AC Milan. 

So for the moment, Pulisic doesn't make the cut. But as Lalas clarifies in the latest episode of "Alexi Lalas' State of the Union," the criteria for this latest ranking is that the player needs to be seeing action on the pitch.  

"If you're hurt, it doesn't mean you're not a great player. It doesn't mean you possibly couldn't be at the top of my power rankings, but you got to be playing and doing well."

So, who makes Lalas' list right now of the best (in-form) USA players at the moment?

The 21-year-old defender recently made his LaLiga debut for Villarreal following a move from MLS club Orlando City in January. The son of former NFL star Antonio Freeman, he has earned 11 caps with the USA and was part of the squad that reached the Gold Cup final in 2025.  

One of the biggest transfers to the German club last summer, Tillman is rounding back into form following a quiet few months with Bayer Leverkusen. He's impressed enough for the USA during last summer's World Cup that he should be in the mix to make the USA team in the summer. 

Leeds are floating right above the relegation zone in the Premier League, sitting at 16th place. But Aaronson has done his part to keep the side afloat this season. He has four goals and has vastly improved this season, and that could bode well for his chances of making the USA's World Cup squad. 

"I think he's just been consistent now for weeks and