Christian Pulisic is not the commanding captain the USMNT 'wants or needs'

Martin Macdonald

• Updated: 28 Oct 2025 06:13 CDT
• 3 min read

News

Former USMNT star Alexi Lalas does not believe that the current squad has any standout candidates for the captain role for the 2026 World Cup and thinks Christian Pulisic is unsuited to that responsibility.

The United States have a bit of a leadership void in their team at the moment as the squads have had a few captains recently including veteran Tim Ream, Chris Richards and Pulisic.

Ream, at 38, is the older statesman of the squad but there are concerns whether he will even feature in the World Cup next year due to his advancing years.

Lalas reckons the current squad lacks "Bad Boys" akin to that infamous Detroit Pistons NBA team of the late 80s and early 90s.

"I don't think that Christian Pulisic is the captain that this team needs or that this team wants," the former United States centre-back said on the State of the Union podcast.

"The problem is, who else is there? Who's coming around the bend? Nobody. And of the existing players, either they're not quite there yet, a la Chris Richards. I don't want Weston McKennie being the captain. That's not going to work. Tyler Adams, I think it was always kind of predestined that he was going to be that, and yet he hasn't really grown into that. I'm sure if he was sitting here, he would bristle at me illustrating it like that.

"The notion that your best player is not necessarily equipped to be a captain is nothing new. We have seen it over the years and it is completely valid ...That doesn't mean he doesn't have passion. Oftentimes, it's not necessarily the best player; it's not necessarily the person who has done the most in their career. It's not even necessarily somebody that's larger than life. And oftentimes you have to be able to take a step away and say, 'This is what's good for the team.'

"But I just don't think that this team has a captain that would qualify on the 'Bad Boys' of the Detroit Pistons. In this group, there just there isn't one like that."

Pochettino asked to leave Pulisic out of USA squad

Italian giants Milan have reportedly requested to USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino that Pulisic be left out of the squad for the upcoming international break.

This season, the American has emerged as a key player for the Rossoneri but is currently rehabilitating an injury that was suffered while on international duty with the United States.

In a fixture against Australia, Pulisic suffered a slight tear in his thigh and hasn't played for club or country since. He is reportedly progressing well but Milan are desperate for their player to be fit and firing for the Milan derby against Inter on 23rd in November.

With Santiago Gimenez not impressing, head coach Massimiliano Allegri hopes to partner Pulisic and Rafael Leao as much as possible up top for the remainder of the campaign.

There is an upcoming international break between 10 November and 18 November.

In that period, the USA have friendly fixtures versus Paraguay and Uruguay. As hosts of the 2026 World Cup, the USA's schedule is largely made up of uncompetitive matches as they have already qualified for the tournament.

With that in mind, Milan are hoping that Pulisic is looked over by Pochettino for the break, according to Calciomercato.

Pulisic could return to action for Milan this weekend against Roma or potentially versus Parma, but the club still want him to be given a rest over the international break.

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