Plain and simple, to qualify for the World Cup, you need your best players to show up. Without them firing on all cylinders, you might as well be without a paddle up the creek. From that respect, the United State’s Men’s National Team is in suitable, capable, and trustworthy hands.
In case you live under a rock (no shame, of course), Christian Pulisic is the U.S.’s talisman. He’s one of the best, pure attacking players in the world. On Saturday night, amidst an important 2022 qualifying game against Panama (+725) for this coming November’s tournament, Pulisic made his presence known.
And then some.
The U.S. men throttled Panama, 5-1. I almost wish that was an understatement. They did it, largely thanks to Pulisic, who could not and would not stop potting the ball in the back of the net.
First, Pulisic put the Americans on the board with an early, quite casual penalty.
PULISIC BURIES THE PENALTY TO PUT THE USA UP 1-0 🇺🇸🙌@cpulisic_10 | @USMNT pic.twitter.com/EtjKCaMv8Q
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 27, 2022
Folks, I know it’s very close to the goalmouth, but it’s not supposed to be that easy.
Then, with the U.S. already up 3-0 at the end of the first half, they wanted a coup de gras. Pulisic would not waste the opportunity or the penalty.
ANOTHER ONE FROM THE SPOT FOR @cpulisic_10 đź’Ş
The @USMNT takes the 4-0 lead on Panama just before halftime! pic.twitter.com/zbOekaqe1c
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 27, 2022
Imagine being that goalie. You guess right and react fast enough. You did your job. But the other player is just that much better than you — by a foot over your outstretched hands. Devastating.
It is at this point that an American win was all but assured. Barring an unlikely Panamian second-half barrage, the U.S. did not necessarily have to score another goal. And, of course, Pulisic didn’t have to make seemingly every defender on the field look absolutely silly.
But he did anyway.
CAPTAIN AMERICA WITH THE HAT TRICK 🎩🎩🎩
Incredible touch and finish from @cpulisic_10 to make it 5-0 for the @USMNT pic.twitter.com/yxFvcgnsoA
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 28, 2022
A hat trick, Pulisic’s first on an international stage. Steve Rogers wishes he could be as gifted and as mind-blowing as Pulisic on the first touch.
The U.S. men did not yet officially qualify for this November’s World Cup with the win. To miss out, they’d have to get (historically) molly-whopped by Costa Rica next week. That’s, well, probably not going to happen!
Mom, Dad, and the whole country are proud. ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/qqeVD6aaLz
— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) March 28, 2022
The Americans have Pulisic to thank for his uncommon brilliance. Something says he’ll continue to be a transcendent steward for this team.
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