The United States’ head coach heaped praise on the Chelsea winger, who looks every bit the superstar on Sunday.
After his team’s victory over Northern Ireland, United States men’s national team coach Gregg Berhalter lauded Christian Pulisic’s “unbelievable” effort in a man-of-the-match result.
Pulisic scored the USMNT’s second goal in a 2-1 victory over Northern Ireland, and he was obviously the star of the display during the 90 minutes.
With the winger’s efforts coming after a tough spell at Chelsea, Berhalter was ecstatic with a result that showcased the best of what Pulisic has to offer.
WHAT WAS BERHALTER’S RESPONSE?
“What I’m saying about Christian is to ignore all of the fantastic things he does on the field. He just completed today, and while he’s in that mood, he’s an amazing player “Berhalter remarked. “Today, it was the constant pushing that made me the happiest. He just kept going and going, and he’s so good on the ball that he can completely unbalance a team. He gave a great overall score, in my opinion.
He continued, ” “This, in my mind, is Christian’s next level: the constant success of that caliber. If he does so, the rest is self-evident.
“I WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH HIS SUCCESS, WITH HOW HE TREATED HIMSELF TODAY BEFORE THE GAME, DURING THE GAME, AND AFTER THE GAME. HE’S SUCH AN INNOVATIVE PLAYER, AND HE’S SUCH A GOOD PLAYER. OVERALL, I WAS IMPRESSED WITH HIS PERFORMANCE.”
The performance of Pulisic
Pulisic, who started on the left side of the USMNT’s 3-4-3, shone during his 90-minute move, creating chance after chance.
After being dragged down in the box and drawing a penalty, his effort was rewarded with a goal in the second half.
Pulisic took the ball and converted the penalty for the USMNT’s second goal, joining fellow winger Gio Reyna on the score sheet.
“OF COURSE, IT FEELS NICE TO BE ON THE SCORESHEET,” PULISIC SAID. “THIS WOULD UNDOUBTEDLY AID IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF MORALE.”
“I’m IN GOOD SPIRITS AND IT SEEMS THAT THE GUYS ARE AS WELL. PERSONALLY, I’m LOOKING FORWARD TO RETURNING TO THE CLUB STAGE. AS I PREVIOUSLY SAID, I AM FEELING OPTIMISTIC. I’M IN THE BEST CONDITION OF MY LIFE, BUT I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO WHAT’S NEXT.”
On the day, Pulisic had a number of exciting moments, including a first-half sequence in which he slalomed over many Northern Ireland midfielders while on the ball.
With a through ball to Daryl Dike, the on-loan Barnsley striker nearly created another USMNT nice, but the on-loan Barnsley striker flubbed his finish in the end.
Pulisic, on the other hand, did an excellent job, looking much more at ease than he did in the USMNT’s previous match against Jamaica.
“I WAS UNQUESTIONABLY ON MY BEST. OBVIOUSLY, FROM A FORMATION PERSPECTIVE, THINGS HAVE IMPROVED A LITTLE, BUT WHEN I GET THE BALL, I STILL HAVE THE SAME GOALS IN MIND “HE SAID
“I’M REALLY AIMING FOR THE TARGET AND WORKING TO MAKE THINGS, WHICH I WAS ABLE TO ACHIEVE TODAY.”
A DETAILED VIEW
Berhalter’s side is no longer fully dependent on Pulisic to lead the squad creatively, with the growth of the USMNT’s new crop of young talent.
On the days that he is able, though, the United States is a squad capable of taking it to a whole new dimension.
Pulisic was imaginative and dynamic on a day when the US seemed clumsy at times in an unfamiliar formation, showing a snapshot of what this attack will look like when the US is at full power.
On the other hand, in Reyna, the United States has two legitimately risky and inventive wingers who are constantly threatening to cut inside to make something happen.
Those qualities blend well into Berhalter’s 3-4-3 formation against Northern Ireland, but it’s doubtful that this will be the USMNT’s go-to scheme until Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams are available to replace Yunus Musah in the midfield.
Regardless of the method, the United States was a far stronger squad with a positive Pulisic, who looked like a star on Sunday.
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