Christian Pulisic has not spent any time in Major League Soccer, but that does not close the door to playing in the top category in the United States. Speaking to The Athletic about his time at AC Milan and the current state of soccer in the United States, the American star commented on the prospects of playing in MLS.
While he has no intention of playing in MLS anytime soon, he sees a return to the United States later in his career. Of course, Pulisic never played in Major League Soccer. He switched to Borussia Dortmund’s academy when he was a teenager in 2015. Still, a return to the United States is possible.
“Obviously, I’m not an old player,” Pulisic said. “I hope I have some fantastic years in Europe ahead of me. I love my time here, so of course the MLS is not on my mind right now. But if. At the end of my career? Absolutely.”
Pulisic added that the quality of the league, and of soccer in general in the United States, has changed dramatically.
“I will say it has come a long, long way since I started even… almost, 10 years ago (ago) when I moved to Europe. Since then, from where the game has come in the US, including MLS to where it is now, I’ve seen a massive shift in support in the US; You know, supporting the national team and even the clubs that now see Messi in Miami, things like that.”
Pulisic comments on the energy surrounding soccer in the United States
“There is a lot of buzz around the sport and I think it will only get better in the coming years.”
When Pulisic mentions how much Major League Soccer and the rest of the sport has changed in the last 10 years, there are quantitative and qualitative changes he is referring to. In the last 10 years, MLS has added 11 teams. The format has also changed with the addition of the Leagues Cup and various playoff formats.
Lionel Messi and his brief time at Inter Miami have already raised the profile of Major League Soccer. One of the game’s biggest stars of all time attracts audiences no matter where he plays. However, the American is part of the new generation of stars that leads the national fight for his popularity.
Pulisic specifically mentioned Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey’s goals in previous World Cups. He said those moments stick in children’s minds. His goal against Iran to take the USMNT to the round of 16 of the World Cup in Qatar could be one of those great moments.
His play at the club level doesn’t hurt those chances either.
Pulisic successfully takes the United States to Europe
Recently, Christian Pulisic won the Serie A Player of the Month award for December. He is the first American to win the award. Pulisic also won the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea, becoming the first American to play in and win a European Cup final.
European and domestic success may still be on the cards for Pulisic with AC Milan or another team across the pond.
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