'I wish more had it ' - Alexi Lalas highlights key attribute Christian Pulisic has developed after USMNT star inspires Copa America win

In response to a fan on X praising Pulisic for 'living up to the hype' that has surrounded him for years, Lalas suggested the player's mental maturity has helped him to do that.

Even at the age of 25, Pulisic has arguably been the biggest name in U.S. Soccer for the past eight years. He was on course to become a global superstar after impressing at Borussia Dortmund, only for his club career to stall at Chelsea. However, Pulisic has managed to turn things around since joining AC Milan. For the USMNT, he is captain, as well as top scorer and most capped among the current squad, so to score the team's opening goal at the Copa America on home soil after just three minutes, en-route to an important win, earned him plenty of praise.

Lalas said: "Pulisic seems to have developed a relentless grind to his game. It's raw, but valuable. Enables him to plow on through resistance. In past he may have pulled back or checked out. Now he forces the issue, in a good way, and it's on his terms. Whatever it is, I wish more had it."

Pulisic scored his first international goal against Bolivia back in 2016, the fourth United States goal in a 4-0 friendly win in Kansas City. It was his third appearance for the senior team and he was just 17 years of age at the time.

Next up is a game against Panama in Atlanta on June 27. The United States are ranked 32 places higher in the world by FIFA and have the added bonus of home advantage. Victory would seal a place in the quarter-finals of the competition with a match against 15-time champions Uruguay to spare.