Christian Pulisic might be bewildered about his lack of playing time at Chelsea more than anyone else . (Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports)

By Michael Lewis

FrontRowSoccer.com Editor

Well, here we are at the Ides of August and already we see a troubling trend for one Christian Pulisic.

Two appearances in as many matches for Chelsea.

A half hour of action.

Twice off the bench.

Not exactly the best way to prepare for a World Cup, especially when you are considered your country’s best avenue to success.

Translated: Pulisic needs to play (and play well, of course) to be ready to lead the U.S. men’s national team in Qatar in November (and hopefully in December).

Pulisic, who is just entering the prime of his career – he turns 24 on Sept. 18 – not only needs to play regularly but needs to be one of the key performers for his.

The Athletic has reported that Pulisic has been linked with Newcastle United, another team in the English Premier League. True, it is not one of the elite sides in the circuit (the squad finished 11th out of 20 teams with a 13-15-10 mark – but it will give Hershey, Pa. native an opportunity plays and be the man who could stir Newcastle’s drink, to paraphrase the great Reggie Jackson.

Is it a gamble?

It sure is.

But it could be worth it for club and country, at least for the short term.

Besides, if things don’t work out after the World Cup this season, there could be other teams bidding for Pulisic’s services.

In the modern age of the World Cup, most, if not all of the players, need to enter the competition in form – fitness and mental.

If you’re not playing, you’re not in form to be the main man for your national team.

Of course, I am biased.

I am an American.

I want to see the USMNT succeed in every game and at every level.

That goes triple for the World Cup. Too much is at stake for a new generation of American players who have established themselves in Europe and with the USA co-hosting the 2026 World Cup along with Mexico and Canada.

A great talent such as Christian Pulisic is too good to waste.

Especially with a World Cup a little more than three months away.

 

 

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.