INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Christian Pulisic is back.
The man affectionately called “Captain America” didn’t start Thursday in the group-stage finale against Turkey, but his biggest contribution may have been to simply walk onto the pitch.
That alone was enough to make the sellout crowd of 70,492 fans packed into SoFi Stadium stand and applaud.
When the fourth official raised the substitution board in the 58th minute and flashed the No. 10 on the screen, the crowd erupted in a roar that shook the building. It was a collective expression of relief more than anything.
“It was amazing, Pulisic told the FOX broadcast afterward of the reaction he received from the crowd. “I felt healthy. It was good to get some minutes. I felt good with the ball.”
For nearly two weeks, the face of American soccer and the U.S. national team’s best player had been reduced to rehab sessions and participating in individual drills on his own. Pulisic suffered a left calf injury in the opening match against Paraguay on this very field.
Every touch, every sprint, every change of direction, every shot attempt carried just as much significance as the scoreline in Team USA’s 3-2 loss to Turkey.
Entering the match, the Americans had already secured first place in Group D, so the game was not about securing three more points.
It was about getting their star player back.
“You saw his quality and you saw when he came in the impact that he had. He’s our guy,” said Sebastian Berhalter of Pulisic’s return.
The moment fit the stage for Pulisic’s return. No. 10 jerseys flooded every section of the stadium. Fans arrived dressed as Founding Fathers. Others wore oversized bald eagle costumes. One supporter recreated Alexi Lalas’ iconic 1994 World Cup look, complete with the unmistakable red beard and flowing hair.
Hollywood was naturally in attendance as well.
Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Edward Norton, Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Colin Farrell, Owen Wilson, Jessica Alba, Paris Hilton, Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy, Clint Dempsey, Thierry Henry, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Hugo Lloris, Scottie Pippen, Dwyane Wade, Gabrielle Union and Lalas himself were among the celebrities watching from the suites and sidelines.
They witnessed the return of Pulisic to the pitch, but more importantly, he looked dangerous again before the U.S. heads into its knockout-stage match against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday.
Five minutes after entering the match, Pulisic announced his return in trademark fashion. He got his left foot on a ball inside the penalty area that crashed off the right post. The stadium gasped before letting out a collective groan that echoed around the arena.
In the 77th minute, Pulisic created another opening just outside the 18-yard box and curled a left-footed effort toward the far corner. This one drifted inches wide, close enough to tease, close enough to remind everyone exactly what had been missing from the American attack.
The scoreboard ultimately mattered little. Pulisic’s legs did.
“Whenever you have Christian coming off the bench it’s a positive,” said midfielder Brenden Aaronson. “He made such a difference. A lot of attention went to him so other guys had moments to have chances. He came on and was electric as always.”
His rhythm returned with every run. His confidence seemed to grow with every touch. Most importantly, he walked off the field looking every bit like a player ready for the games that actually define World Cup history.
The United States now turns its attention to Wednesday’s round of 32 showdown against Bosnia at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. Win and the dream continues. Lose and the tournament ends.
