Pulisic Leads U.S. Into Paraguay Opener — Usa Vs Paraguay Prediction
Christian Pulisic heads into the usa vs paraguay prediction with the United States opener against Paraguay on Friday night, and he says the moment feels like what he has always wanted. The 27-year-old is carrying the most attention on the roster, but he insists he does not feel any extra burden.
Pulisic and Adams in Orange County
“I don’t feel a difference in weight,” Pulisic said at the U.S. training base in Orange County. He added, “I genuinely don’t feel like I have to do anything on my own.”
Tyler Adams, the Bournemouth midfielder and Pulisic’s teammate, sees the situation differently. “I can't even imagine the weight that's on his shoulders,” he said, then added of Pulisic’s senior debut in late 2016: “(Pulisic was) the best player on the field at 17 years old, and the person that they rely on, (and) it’s been since then that they’ve relied on him.”
Pochettino’s U.S. standard
Mauricio Pochettino wants more than one name carrying the attack. “Of course he needs to be an important player for us in the competition,” the coach said, but he also drew a line around the team’s identity: “the badge of the national team and the culture with this country is more important than any name, any player or any coach.”
That balance is why Pulisic’s role draws so much attention. He made his senior U.S. debut in late 2016 at age 17, the United States failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, and eight years ago the tournament was awarded to North America with Pulisic already central to U.S. hopes. His 18-month goal drought in a U.S. shirt ended on May 31, giving him some recent form as he enters this opener.
Friday night against Paraguay
The U.S. now turns that pressure into the first test of the tournament. Pulisic says the players around him make the job easier, and that he wants to help the team rather than carry it alone. Against Paraguay, that leaves the spotlight on whether the country’s most accomplished and most famous player can turn expectation into a result right away.
