US Men's National Team (USMNT) coach Gregg Berhalter spared no praise for captain Christian Pulisic after the 2-0 win over Bolivia in the opening game of the 2024 Copa America. At the age of 25, Pulisic reached a significant milestone, becoming one of the few players to score 30 goals for the national team, joining icons such as Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan.
"He's a leader. He goes out on the pitch and competes and works very hard, and that helps the team. On top of that, he's a very skillful player. It's a great combination," said Berhalter.
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Pulisic has shown himself to be a natural goalscorer and a complete player. His dribbling ability, vision and quick decision-making make him a constant threat to any defense. Berhalter highlighted Pulisic's leadership on the pitch, praising his ability to compete, work hard and inspire his teammates.
The win against Bolivia was a great start for the USMNT in the Copa America. Pulisic not only scored an outstanding goal in the third minute, but also provided a crucial assist for Folarin Balogun, who sealed the win in the 44th minute. This combination of attacking skills and leadership places Pulisic as the engine of the American team.
However, it is important to remember that Bolivia, ranked well below the USMNT in the world rankings, is not the strongest opponent the team will face in the competition. The real test will come against teams of a higher caliber. Pulisic's performance against Bolivia was impressive, but the team will need to maintain that level of play and intensity in the coming matches.
Pulisic is just entering his prime, and his contributions will be crucial to the USMNT's ambitions in the Copa America and beyond. With him leading the line, the team has a good chance of progressing in the competition and reaching the next level.