The United States men’s national team (USMNT) is set to appear in its 11th FIFA World Cup this summer, hoping to make the most of its home support. And, former USMNT defender Alexi Lalas has revealed Pulisic’s role in his team’s FIFA World Cup starting lineup.
Christian Pulisic in USMNT XI for 2026 FIFA World Cup
During a recent episode of Alexi Lalas’ State of the Union Podcast, Lalas named Pulisic as a striker, in a 5-3-2 formation, for the USMNT team set to play in the FIFA World Cup.
Revealing USMNT’s starting goalkeeper, Lalas remarked, “I got (New York City FC star) Matt Freese in goal. I don’t think that’s a surprise to anyone. Now I’m going to play three or five at the back, whatever you want to call it, as opposed to the four at the back.”
The former 96-cap USMNT international named PSV Eindhoven right-back Sergino Dest and Fulham left-back Antonee Robinson as two starters. “I got Dest on the right hand side and I got Jedi on the left hand side. And let’s be honest, they’re defenders in name only because they’re just going to bomb forward,” he added.
Opining on the rest of the USMNT defence, Lalas said, “Then I have my three centre-backs, if you will. I got (Crystal Palace star) Chris Richards in the middle. I got (FC Cincinnati ace) Miles Robinson on one side and old man (Tim) Ream (of Charlotte FC) on the other side.”
“Then, up in my midfield, I got (Juventus star) Weston McKennie, I got (Bournemouth ace) Tyler Adams, and I got (Bayer Leverkusen star) Malik Tillman, had a wonderful summer this past summer,” Lalas said about his preferred USMNT midfield trio.
Lastly, Lalas suggested Pulisic should act as a second striker behind AS Monaco star Folarin Balogun. “Then, I got Christian Pulisic and Flo Balogun. But, they’re going to move all over the place. I mentioned Dest (and) Jedi going up and down. And Pulisic, let’s be honest, he’s going to go wherever he wants,” the ex-Los Angeles Galaxy defender concluded.
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Pulisic, 27, has recently been excelling in a two-man striking setup at AC Milan. The former Chelsea attacker is currently his club’s top goalscorer with 10 goals in all competitions this season. He has also laid out two assists in 18 overall outings for his side this term.
Meanwhile, the USMNT will face Australia, Paraguay, and the UEFA Playoff C winner in Group D of the upcoming FIFA World Cup, scheduled to be held from June 11 to July 19.
