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Pulisic goal drought passes 100 days before World Cup

1 min read

16:41UTC

The USMNT captain has not scored in over 100 days, coming on as a substitute in Milan's defeat with the World Cup 62 days away.

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Key takeaway

Pulisic has not scored for 100 days with the World Cup 62 days away, a selection pressure for Pochettino.

Pulisic came on as a late substitute in AC Milan's 1-0 defeat to Napoli on 6 April, extending a goalless run that began during the USMNT's back-to-back defeats at the World Cup opening venue . His last goal was 28 December 2025 against Hellas Verona; the drought now exceeds 100 days.

With Pochettino's 26 May squad announcement 50 days away, the drought is a selection pressure as well as a form issue. He was used as a substitute rather than a starter against Napoli, suggesting AC Milan's coaching staff have reduced his role. Pochettino declared himself 'more positive' despite the venue defeats, but Pulisic's form remains the single most-watched individual indicator ahead of the squad announcement.

Deep Analysis

In plain English

The USA's best player hasn't scored a goal for more than 100 days. The World Cup starts in 62 days. He came on as a substitute in a 1-0 loss to Napoli, which suggests his club manager doesn't even see him as a guaranteed starter right now. Pochettino's squad announcement is 26 May.

Sources:World Soccer Talk

Mentions:Hellas Verona →Mauricio Pochettino →World Cup →USMNT →Christian Pulisic →AC Milan →Napoli →

First Reported In

Update #6 · FIFA's stealth price hike

World Soccer Talk· 10 Apr 2026

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Causes and effects

This Event

Pulisic goal drought passes 100 days before World Cup

Pulisic's form is a direct concern for Pochettino's squad selection and the USMNT's attacking viability at home.

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Pulisic assists for Milan, ends 2026 contribution drought

Pulisic's 100-day goal drought, documented when he came on as substitute vs Napoli, makes the 13 April assist against Torino — where he started — a form indicator but not a resolution.

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Adams returns; Robinson hurt; Pepi scores

Pulisic's drought of 16 games advances the form thread tracked since the 100-day milestone in prior updates.

Occurred 11 Apr 2026

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Pulisic brace ends 134-day drought, ties Lautaro on seven

Pulisic's 134-day drought (passed 100 days on 6 April, ID:2178) was the selection pressure resolved by his 11 May brace against Cagliari.

Occurred 11 May 2026

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Different Perspectives

Real Madrid

Operating internally on the basis Rodri joins, according to David Ornstein's reporting, despite no talks having taken place with Manchester City. The gap between internal planning and actual negotiation is itself notable.

Manchester City

Unwilling to sell Rodri, with manager Enzo Maresca stating he returns to the club after back surgery. No club-to-club talks with Real Madrid are taking place, contradicting the framing of a deal in motion.

CONMEBOL

Backs the move to a 64-team 2030 tournament co-hosted across South America. Has not engaged publicly with FIFPRO's workload or heat-threshold objections drawn from this tournament's data.

FIFA

Points to its 30 June technical and officiating reviews as the authoritative account of the tournament's football, including Collina's rejection of bias claims. Has not publicly responded to the renewed compensation call or disputed FIFPRO's heat-threshold figures.

FIFPRO

Measures a four-degree gap between its own 28C postponement threshold and FIFA's 32C cooling-break trigger, breached in 19% of matches played. Cites a 70-83 match workload projection to oppose the 64-team 2030 format.

Human Rights Watch

Documents 54 immigration-custody deaths before kickoff and two since, and revives the compensation duty FIFA's own advisers identified after Qatar 2022 and never acted on. Treats the pattern as unresolved FIFA liability, not a closed file.