Landon Donovan warns Christian Pulisic must find his scoring touch before the 2026 World Cup as the USMNT star struggles through a dry spell in Milan.

As the clock ticks down toward the first home World Cup for the United States since 1994, the spotlight on the nation’s talisman has never been more intense. Christian Pulisic, the man expected to carry the offensive burden for Mauricio Pochettino’s side, is currently trapped in a scoring drought that is beginning to generate significant anxiety. With expectations elevated by the presence of a world-class manager and a squad scattered across Europe's elite leagues, any dip in form from the team's most creative outlet is viewed through a magnifying glass of concern. The USMNT needs its captain at his best, but the current reality in Milan suggests a player searching for his rhythm at the most critical juncture.

The statistical decline is hard to ignore for a player who, just months ago, was being hailed as a candidate for Serie A Player of the Season. Since his last goal for AC Milan on December 28, 2025, Pulisic has been unable to find the back of the net, a stark contrast to the opening half of the campaign where he recorded nine goals and two assists. This slump has not gone unnoticed by those who have walked in his shoes, most notably Landon Donovan, whose recent comments have added a layer of urgency to the conversation surrounding the American star’s preparedness for the summer showcase.

Donovan's Warning: The Psychological Weight of the Drought

Landon Donovan did not mince words when discussing the current state of Pulisic’s game, admitting that if he were in the younger player's position, he would be very worried. Donovan’s assessment is grounded in the experience of a career that saw both incredible highs and frustrating dry spells on the international stage. He noted that Pulisic is frequently finding himself in the correct positions and making the right technical decisions, yet the final touch—the moment where the ball crosses the line—remains elusive. Whether it is a spectacular save or a fractional error in finishing, the result has been a persistent zero on the scoresheet for months.

According to Donovan, the issue is not a fundamental loss of talent but a mental hurdle that only a goal can clear. He argues that Pulisic does not require a tactical overhaul or a massive shift in his style of play. Instead, he simply needs the ball to hit him and go in, regardless of how scrappy or fortunate the moment might be. The psychological release of seeing the net bulge is often the only cure for a high-level attacker caught in a cycle of frustration. Until that happens, the pressure will only continue to mount as June 12 approaches.

The Sensitive Talisman: Allegri's Assessment

Adding to the complexity of the situation are the comments from AC Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri, who has described Pulisic as a sensitive player. This characterization suggests that Pulisic is an athlete who thrives on confidence and can be deeply affected by the ebbs and flows of his own performance. We have seen this pattern before, most notably during his tenure at Chelsea, where he occasionally looked like one of the most dangerous players in the world—particularly during the 2020 lockdown period—only to struggle for consistency when things did not go his way.

This sensitivity makes the current slump even more dangerous in a World Cup year. If Pulisic begins to overthink his movements or second-guess his instincts in front of goal, his overall contribution to the team could diminish. Pochettino will need to manage this delicate psychological balance, ensuring that his star player feels supported and empowered even when the goals aren't flowing. The challenge for the coaching staff is to keep Pulisic engaged in the build-up play while helping him rediscover the predatory instincts that made him so effective in the first half of the Serie A season.

Historical Parallels: Donovan’s Four-Goal Breakthrough

To illustrate his point about the power of a single goal, Donovan recalled a pivotal moment from his own career with the national team. He had gone through an eight-game scoreless streak and felt the weight of the world on his shoulders before a match against Cuba in Foxborough. In a moment of unselfishness, teammate Brian McBride opted to pass the ball across the face of the goal for a two-yard tap-in rather than scoring himself. That simple goal acted as a dam-break for Donovan, who went on to score four times in that single match.

The lesson for the current USMNT squad is clear: they must find a way to manufacture a breakthrough for Pulisic before the tournament begins. Whether it comes in Milan's final league game or during the national team's warm-up fixtures, the goal needs to happen soon. A tap-in, a deflected shot, or a penalty could be the catalyst that transforms a frustrated player back into the explosive winger who can dismantle top-tier defenses. Donovan’s anecdote serves as a reminder that for elite scorers, the distance between a slump and a streak is often just one successful strike.

The Tactical Burden Under Mauricio Pochettino

Under the guidance of Mauricio Pochettino, the USMNT is expected to play a high-pressing, proactive style of football that requires the front three to be clinical in transition. Pulisic is the centerpiece of this tactical setup, tasked with drifting inside from the left flank to create overloads and find pockets of space between the lines. If he is not a goal threat, opposing defenses can afford to squeeze the space around him, knowing they can focus their attention on other areas of the pitch. His scoring touch is the gravity that pulls defenses apart, creating room for his teammates to operate.

Pochettino’s history of working with sensitive, high-ceiling attackers—such as Son Heung-min or Dele Alli—suggests he is well-equipped to handle Pulisic’s current dip. However, the international window offers very little time for the kind of prolonged man-management seen at the club level. The manager will need Pulisic to arrive at the training camp with a clear head, ready to lead a young group that looks to him for inspiration. The tactical success of the U.S. in this tournament is inextricably linked to Pulisic’s ability to rediscover his ruthlessness in the final third.

The Final Countdown to June 12

The runway is shortening. With only one league match remaining for AC Milan and a handful of international friendlies on the horizon, Pulisic is running out of competitive minutes to find his spark. The opening match of the World Cup on June 12 will bring a level of scrutiny that many of these American players have never experienced. For the United States to make the deep run that fans and pundits expect, they cannot afford for their best player to be finding his feet during the group stage. He must be sharp from the opening whistle.

While the scoring drought is a legitimate cause for concern, it is also important to remember that Pulisic’s quality has not vanished. He remains a player capable of winning matches single-handedly through his dribbling and vision. The focus over the coming weeks will be on stripping away the frustration and returning to the basics of his game. If Donovan is right, the version of Pulisic that terrified Serie A defenses in the autumn is still there, just waiting for one moment of luck to bring him back to the surface before the world's eyes turn to North America. more football news on MATCHLINE