U.S. men’s national team captain Christian Pulisic spoke with Jamison Coyle and Jason Demers about his experience with the NHL and what it means to represent his country.
Pulisic, 27, shared that he attended this year’s Stanley Cup Final in Florida and supported the Panthers due to his family ties in the area.
When asked how many hockey games he has attended, he said, “I would say probably less than 10, 15. Most of them were Hershey Bears games. But other than that, I want to check out a few more NHL games. I did go to the Stanley Cup Finals this past year in Florida, which was cool.”
When asked who he cheered for, Pulisic replied, “I was going for the Panthers, obviously. You know, my family down there, so.”
AC Milan’s No. 11 also discussed the differences between playing in Serie A and for the USMNT. He took the chance to address the fans.
“There’s always pressure in some of the biggest competitions, whether club or country, but when you play for your country, you have that extra sense of pride wearing and representing Team USA,” said Pulisic. “It’s the best thing you can do. I’m most proud when I’m playing, so, yeah, it’s similar, but definitely something special when you play for your country.”
Christian Pulisic is ready to become a USMNT legend
Pulisic has what it takes to be the USMNT captain at the upcoming World Cup, serving as a key player under coach Mauricio Pochettino.
Since joining AC Milan in 2023, he has consistently performed. This season, he has scored 10 goals and made two assists in 21 matches. During the 2024-25 season, he netted 17 goals and provided 10 assists in 50 games. The season before, he recorded 16 goals and 10 assists in 51 games. He is recognized as one of the most important players for the Rossoneri.
The 2026 World Cup, held in the U.S., presents an excellent opportunity for Pulisic to solidify his legacy in American soccer after years of fluctuating performances in the Premier League with Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund, as well as with the USMNT.