USMNT: Gregg Berhalter must not waste Christian Pulisic
Christian Pulisic was largely ineffective playing in central attacking midfield in the USMNT’s 1-0 win over Ecuador on Thursday night. Gregg Berhalter cannot afford to waste him.
Midway through the second half of the U.S. Men’s National Team’s 1-0 victory over Ecuador in the first of two international friendlies in March, there was a moment when Christian Pulisic was cornered, with the ball at his feet, facing Manchester United’s Antonio Valencia.
He shimmied his hips a couple of teams, did a stepover, and then paused, the ball still, Valencia waiting to pounce. And then, with a beautiful drop of the shoulder and shake of the legs, Pulisic darted around Valencia’s right shoulder as if he was not there. He beat the Ecuadorian so quickly that he ended up dribbling all the way back across to the byline.
The move ended in nothing, as was the case for much of what ended up to be a rather frustrating night for the USMNT. But it showcased Pulisic’s unique skill set as a sharp, fast-twitch dribbler. It is an ability that few in world football can replicate and is a clear indication of the disparity in quality between him and the rest of the U.S. players.
This dribbling ability is what makes Pulisic such a dangerous attacker. The fact that he can beat a defender whenever he receives possession is utterly terrifying for anyone trying to mark him. Even when he fenced into a corner with little room to manoeuvre, he still has the speed and poise to wriggle his way free and drive into an open channel of space.
Gregg Berhalter obviously wants to get the best out of Pulisic. When managing a more limited group of players as he is with the USMNT, it is critical that you make the best of the talent that you do have. And there is no doubt that Pulisic is the most talented, most dangerous U.S. player. Much of Berhalter’s job will be making the most of the soon-to-be-Chelsea attacker.
On Thursday, Berhalter moved Pulisic into a central position. Such is the talent disparity between Pulisic and every other player, he is probably the best number 10, winger and centre-forward. So Berhalter wanted to place him in a role that would offer him the most number of touches and the greatest influence. Makes sense.
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The problem, however, was that the more compact areas that Pulisic was working in against a deep Ecuador defensive line limited the impact of his dribbling. Even if he was able to wriggle clear of the first defender or two, there was always another one within five yards. He was never allowed to get free and drive with a real pace and purpose. Predictably, the space was out wide, where Pulisic wasn’t.
And that brings me to the conundrum that Berhalter faces: Does he play Pulisic centrally to try and provide him with the greatest number of opportunities to impact the game but risk him being crowded out, or does Berhalter move Pulisic wide, where he is undoubtedly more comfortable and a greater threat once he receives possession, but risk him being isolated and not provided a true foothold in the game?
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It is a dilemma that I do not know the answer to. On Thursday, Berhalter opted for the first avenue and it did not really work. I wonder if he shifts gears next time out against Chile. Whatever he does, Gregg Berhalter must not waste Christian Pulisic.