DOMINIC KING: The American dream died again with the World Cup loss to Holland, but that’s not the end of the story… by the time they host in 2026, this young team will be even stronger – and they’re just a strike away, to be brilliant
The American dream had once again not come true and Christian Pulisic couldn’t contain his emotions, ripping his shirt and burying his face.
It had been the ambition of this energetic and youthful US team to emulate – and possibly even better – the 2002 class that had finished in the last eight in Japan and South Korea. If Pulisic had kept calm in the second minute, they might have made it.
At a World Cup, every second counts, every touch of the ball, every pass and every shot. A stutter, a hesitation and it all collapses, especially when the pressure is as great as in the win or go home games that follow the group stage.
Christian Pulisic missed a huge chance in the first few minutes of the USA’s defeat by Holland
Pulisic was the hero against Iran but the enigmatic striker failed to repeat his exploits
Pulisic, the enigmatic Chelsea striker, had a great opportunity to turn the game in the United States’ favor in the second minute when he found himself on the side and all alone in the Dutch box. A clean hit and he would have given his team the lead.
He had been the hero of the hour against Iran – scoring the goal that allowed his side to qualify with England from Group B – but Pulisic was unable to repeat the feat, his shot bouncing and Andries Noppert, goalkeeper from Heerenveen stretched his left leg out to save. It was a huge moment.
You could tell at the final whistle when he started to flinch. Pulisic, whose season at Stamford Bridge was marred by inconsistencies, spoke about it a few hours later. It was obviously painful to be asked to revisit the scene of trauma.
Gio Reyna will be among the stars who will peak by the 2026 World Cup
Brenden Aaronson meets Jurrien Timber in the Round of 16 match in Doha, Qatar
“It hurts,” Pulisic sighed. “I thought I was way offside when it happened. He made a good save, so of course it’s going to hurt for a while. We don’t want to feel like this again. It was an honor to represent our country but it’s tough right now.”
Even more vividly was Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner, who said: “We did something that wasn’t like us. The silence in the dressing room is deafening. The mood is somber. Playing a game like this and losing doesn’t make anyone feel better.’
That’s not the end of the story for Gregg Berhalter’s side, however, and it will be exciting to see how this group will progress as co-hosts in the summer of 2026 as they are just one top striker away from being a fine one to be side.
Matt Turner (left) was honest in his post-game assessment, admitting the mood was “somber”.
It is still unclear whether Gregg Berhalter will continue to lead the US national team forward
When they played England, Gareth Southgate’s side were stunned by how much mileage the United States put in and how intense it was. They have some excellent talent, like Leeds duo Brenden Aaronsen and Tyler Adams, along with Borussia Dortmund’s Pulisic and Gio Reyna.
A 3-1 loss to Holland ends that trip to the Middle East, but you wouldn’t be in a hurry to dismiss them four years from now.
In other words, when they last hosted a World Cup in 1994, the United States won one of their four games. This squad will do better.
“It’s a different experience for all these guys,” said Pulisic. “We didn’t qualify for the last World Cup and are now in the round of 16. There are certainly moments that we can be really proud of. We don’t want to experience anything like that again and put ourselves in a position to win tournaments like this.”