Pulisic: ‘It’s frustrating, but I won’t panic’ on Milan and USMNT drought | OneFootball

Christian Pulisic admits he has been going through ‘a tough patch’ with both Milan and the USMNT, but ‘a ball will hit off my knee and go in, and then things will change.’

The striker had been on stunning form in 2025, but has not found the net for the Rossoneri at all in this calendar year, adding to an international drought that has been going since 2024.

He suffered another frustrating night when the USA warmed up for their host duties at the World Cup this summer with a 5-2 home defeat at the hands of Belgium.

Pulisic recognises difficult spell

MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 08: Referee Maurizio Mariani speaks to Christian Pulisic of AC Milan during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Genoa CFC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 08, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“For me it’s disappointing,” Pulisic told reporters. “I feel I can do better on one of the chances. I missed that, and then they go and they score, and it changes the game. It’s frustrating for me for sure.”

The chance was when he ballooned over the bar at 1-1, followed moments later by Belgium taking the lead 2-1.

Now the 27-year-old is trying to think positive, despite the difficulties he is encountering in front of goal both at club and international level.

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 20: Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States reacts to a given up late goal during the second half of a CONCACAF Nations League semifinal match at SoFi Stadium on March 20, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

“It’s been a tough patch, but I feel confident in the way I’m playing,” he insisted.

“I feel good and I’m creating chances. So I just have to stay positive and keep going. But yeah, I have to be more clinical in those moments.”

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 23: Christian Pulisic of AC Milan during the Coppa Italia Frecciarossa Round of 16 match between AC Milan and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 23, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)

Pulisic hopes that the old adage about goals being like a bottle of ketchup, once the blockage is over and the flow starts, it doesn’t stop, will be true in his case.

All he needs is that little bit of luck that every striker requires at a certain point in their careers.

“I know a ball will hit off my knee and go in, and then things will change. So I’m not going to panic – better now than the summer. Things are going to change.”

He has nonetheless got 10 goals and three assists in 27 official matches for Milan this season, but they all came before New Year’s Day.

Pulisic hasn’t found the net in Serie A since the 3-0 victory over Hellas Verona on December 28.