The United States men’s national soccer team is in the midst of a rather strange period. Ever since failing to make the World Cup last October, the national team has been acting without a full-time manager. The last year has featured a squad overseen by interim manager Dave Sarachan as the United States Soccer Federation has tried to figure out what direction to take the program.
Amid what has been a somewhat controversial hiring process, a full-blown youth movement has taken place within the national team. Sarachan has placed an emphasis on giving young players — some of whom had never suited up for the USMNT before — opportunities to learn and grow with one another as the United States focuses on the eventual grind that will be qualifying for the 2022 World Cup.
At the forefront of all of this is Christian Pulisic. Now 20, Pulisic holds the distinction of being the present and future of the national team, as he’s the best American player in the world and a regular for German giant Borussia Dortmund. In between shouldering the hopes of a nation and seeing the pitch for a team with Bundesliga and Champions League aspirations, Pulisic is part of an ongoing campaign for Gatorade and its new hydration system, Gx.
Pulisic took some time to sit down with Uproxx Sports to discuss the last year of the USMNT, Americans abroad, and what it’s like when he comes home and gets away from the craziness of German football.
Uproxx Sports: This last year or so has been fun as we’ve seen guys get folded into the program. As someone who is a leader for the present and future of the national team, what has been the most encouraging thing you’ve seen in the year since that match against Trinidad and Tobago?
Christian Pulisic: I just think it’s been great to see new, young players come through the system. Obviously I’m really happy to see other players around in Europe and playing well in MLS, and it’s been great to get some of them in some camps. Just continue to learn and grow, just see our team kind of grow and what it’s gonna turn into in the next few years.
Is the ultimate goal to win a World Cup? If so, is the goal to get there for 2022 or is it a thing you have to build toward? If not, what is it?
Right now the biggest goal we have is to qualify for the next World Cup, that’s where we wanna be. We were extremely disappointed that we couldn’t do so this time around, so we wanna have the best possible team that we can to just be in the World Cup. From there, that’s when we set our new goals, we wanna go as far as we can.
We hear a lot about this being a golden generation for the national team. What do you think about that distinction?
I think we definitely have a lot of hope right now, and I think we have some great young players and also some good experienced players. I think once we get all the parts together, then we can really have a good team and do a lot of great things.
I won’t ask about everyone, but I want to ask about one guy I know you’re tight with Weston McKennie. How much easier is your job, whether you’re on the wing or you’re playing as a 10, to have a guy like him who can do basically anything in the midfield behind you?
It’s great, a guy like Weston, he’s a fighter, man. He’s a great player to have on your team. I’ve played with him growing up and I know him well, I’m really excited any time I get to step on the field with him and all the other young players. It’s gonna be really great.
This isn’t to disparage anyone playing stateside, but is there a special connection that you younger Americans who are playing in Europe have with one another?
I’m actually in contact with a lot of the Americans around Europe. We try to stay close, we know we can talk to each other any time we need any help or anything, I always tell them I’m there for them and same the other way around. It’s great to have those guys.
The Twitter bio says you’re straight outta Hershey, I want to ask about how you view coming home since you started blowing up a few years back. This can mean Hershey or the U.S. more broadly, but you’re a really grounded dude. Is getting back home an escape from the craziness of being in Germany, or does that follow you here?
After some success with the national team — obviously there’s more and more soccer fans — so I’ll be recognized time to time. I love going home, always, and I’m always appreciative for all the support. But it always is great is great to get home and away from all the European soccer at times.
What do you have going on with Gatorade?
We just had a shoot here today, we’re really excited about it, just seeing what Gatorade has done, starting as an innovation and just a great company, and they continue to learn from their athletes to just try to be the best. That’s what we’re doing here today.
I know you’re a big hoops guy and Jayson Tatum is also part of this. I’ve spoken to both of you and I see similarities in terms of success at a young age, personalities, etc. Without speaking too much for him, what qualities do you see in him that has led to his success on the court that you share in your approach to soccer?
Jayson Tatum has done a great job so far in the NBA from what I saw, I haven’t seen all that much. But I think he’s done amazing things and I think whatever sport it is, when you’re a young athlete coming through the ranks, it takes a lot of work. I guarantee he’s put in the work, and that’s what I try to do. It’s great to have other guys doing so well at young ages in the biggest leagues in the world.
To bring it back to soccer to end this, you still have 15+ years ahead of you in your career. What’s the best advice you’ve been given from someone else in the world of football on having a long and successful career?
I would say the best advice is just to keep your body right and you want to stay healthy for as long as you can. That’s the most important thing, if I’m playing for most of my career and I’m injury free and I keep my body right all the time, I think that’ll give me the best chance to perform at all times.
