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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="footballco-bet-betsense">{"type":"footballco-bet-betsense","data":{}}</script><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_d6e1e5da-7d9a-43d5-97e1-f4350a3cd7e3"}}</script><ul><li>Pulisic joins McAfee show as guest</li><li>Discusses U.S. hopes for 2026</li><li>Talks about quality of U.S. players in Europe</li></ul><p></p><script type="application/json" data-placement="match-schedule">{"type":"match-schedule","data":{"channelId":"970b4092-1503-489f-8c1b-5f42e40e36b5","teamId":"9dntj5dioj5ex52yrgwzxrq9l"}}</script>

'We're closer than we've ever been' - Christian Pulisic lauds the level of Americans abroad, saying they 'can play with the best and beat the best'

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<p>Christian Pulisic is having a world-class season at Milan, and the USMNT star is confident the level of play for Americans competing in Europe will continue to elevate - not just for him, but for other U.S. internationals.</p><p>"We're closer than we've ever have been," Pulisic said Friday on a guest appearance on ESPN's Pat McAfee Show. "We have so many top players playing in Europe at the highest level. We've never had that before and fans should be excited... We've got to go out and prove we can play with the best and beat the best now."</p><p>Though currently injured, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/the-christian-pulisic-effect-with-the-injured-usmnt-star-out-until-2025-can-struggling-milan-stay-afloat-in-serie-a-without-him/bltb1acef9353ea4ebc" target="_blank">Pulisic hopes to return for Milan in early 2025</a>. He's also had a brighter light focused on him as the eponymous star of <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/watch-christian-pulisic-soccer-documentary/blt7af8d84d6a36dd87" target="_blank">PULISIC, a new documentary now streaming on Paramount+</a>. That can come with some unexpected moments, as Pulisic had to navigate several hilarious takes from the show's host Pat McAfee, including the former NFL punter calling USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino "Ponch."</p><p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">"We have so many top players playing in Europe at the highest level..<br><br>We've never had that before and fans should be excited..<br><br>We've gotta go out and prove we can play with the best now" ~ <a href="https://twitter.com/pulisic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@pulisic</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PMSLive?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PMSLive</a> <a href="https://t.co/QwEtvZ3Ghk">pic.twitter.com/QwEtvZ3Ghk</a></p>— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) <a href="https://twitter.com/PatMcAfeeShow/status/1867631438474227930?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2024</a></blockquote>
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WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>McAfee suggested the U.S. should win the World Cup on home soil, while Pulisic gave a smirk and said, "Love the confidence, we need you guys at those games, hyping people up. Getting everyone excited, getting the country behind us."</p><p>Pulisic then touched on his experience with Pochettino, which has included two camps and four matches.</p><p>"We've gotten to know him a little bit. Working with the team he obviously has a lot of experience coaching at the highest level in Europe" Pulisic said. "I think its an exciting time and we should definitely look forward to it."</p><p>Pulisic also touched on what has driven his success in Italy so far, saying he's "loved every second of it so far."</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">"I love playing in Italy and AC Milan has allowed me to return to my best form..<br><br>It's going really well over here" ~ <a href="https://twitter.com/pulisic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@pulisic</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PMSLive?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PMSLive</a> <a href="https://t.co/rJqhTz7kGQ">pic.twitter.com/rJqhTz7kGQ</a></p>— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) <a href="https://twitter.com/PatMcAfeeShow/status/1867631765529268351?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2024</a></blockquote>
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WHAT PULISIC SAID

<p>In the conversation with Pulisic, McAfee said he played soccer as a child. One of the panelists on the show, Boston Connor, claimed to have attended high school with U.S. goalkeeper Matt Turner - though Connor couldn't even remember Turner's name.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Pulisic is still recovering from a calf injury that he is expected to return in early 2025. </p>

WHAT NEXT FOR PULISIC?

'We're closer than we've ever been' - Christian Pulisic lauds the level of Americans abroad, saying they 'can play with the best and beat the best' | Goal.com US

Appearing on the Pat McAfee Show, the USMNT star also praised Mauricio Pochettino, says he wants to &apos;get the country behind us&apos;

&apos;We&apos;re closer than we&apos;ve ever been&apos; - Christian Pulisic lauds the level of Americans abroad, saying they &apos;can play with the best and beat the best&apos;