Pulisic responds to US benching with goal vs. Honduras
Christian Pulisic received startling news from Gregg Berhalter: The U.S. coach benched America’s top player for what was essentially a must-win World Cup qualifier against Honduras.
“Decisions like that are never easy,” Berhalter said. “The pregame conversation with him was you’re still going to affect the game, just in a different role. And we have to do what we felt was best for the team and also put Christian in the best possible position to make an impact.”
Pulisic scored the final goal in a 3-0 U.S. win Wednesday night with his second touch of the match in the 65th minute, just two minutes after entering. The Americans can clinch a return to the World Cup with four points from their final three matches — or with a victory over Panama on March 27 at Orlando, Florida, if Costa Rica doesn’t sweep its remaining games.
“It’s my job to come in and make a difference, and I’m glad I did that,” Pulisic said.
Since becoming the first American to appear in and win a Champions League final, Pulisic has experienced a series of highs and lows that appeared to sap his confidence.
He tested positive for COVID-19 after playing his first two matches of the season for Chelsea, sidelining him between Aug. 14 and Sept. 5 and causing him to miss the opening qualifier with the U.S. Then, in the finale of the first three-match window, he injured his left ankle at Honduras on Sept. 8, leading to his absence from the October qualifiers.
Pulisic returned to the field for Chelsea on Nov. 2 and scored the go-ahead goal on his first touch when he entered 10 days later to lead the U.S. over Mexico. But he’s struggled to regain a regular role with Chelsea, starting just seven of the club’s last 11 matches and scoring just twice, against Leicester and Liverpool. Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel, dealing with injuries, has at times shifted Pulisic from wide midfield to center forward and wingback.
“Not exactly where I want to be and how I want things to be right now.” the three-time U.S. Player of the Year said last week. “I haven’t always been playing in the positions I want to play in. But I think it’s a good quality to be versatile and be able to play in all kinds of positions and have different strengths on the pitch.”