CHICAGO — Whatever concern there may have been as Christian Pulisic missed out on about a year’s worth of time with the U.S. men's national team has been alleviated this month, as the 20-year-old attacker has “blossomed,” in the words of coach Gregg Berhalter, on and off the field.
Pulisic is healthy. He fits in. And he’s taken to a system that gives him significant freedom while requiring substantial communication and chemistry. Berhalter has attempted to solve the great Pulisic position question by asking him to impact games both centrally and from the left flank. And the result has been three goals and three assists, which have helped propel the USA to Sunday’s Concacaf Gold Cup final.