Captain Pulisic Leads USMNT: Our Aim Is the Copa América Semifinals, Leadership Is by Example

The 2024 Copa América hosts, the United States, are set to take the field. As a key figure at AC Milan and the US Men’s National Team (USMNT) captain wearing the number 10 jersey, Christian Pulisic emphasizes that true leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice but rather leading by example. The team’s goal is to advance in the knockout stages – aiming for at least the semifinals.

“What does it mean to be the US captain?” Pulisic says. “For me, it’s about setting an example every day through my behavior in training, in the hotel, around the guys. That includes how I conduct myself on and off the pitch and how I communicate with them. I’m not the biggest talker on or off the field, but when I do speak, I hope my voice is heard. I strive to be grounded and hope that others see that, which can inspire everyone around me.”

Discussing the USMNT’s objectives for this Copa América, Pulisic comments, “The team needs to prove itself now. We’ve come a long way, we had some good performances in the World Cup (the USMNT reached the Round of 16 after missing out in 2018), and we showed that we can compete at that level. Now, it’s about not just replicating those performances but finding ways to achieve results in the most important matches. That’s our next step.” This indicates that the target is not just qualification from the group stage but progress in the knockouts – in other words, a minimum ambition of reaching the semifinals, matching the team’s best-ever Copa América performance.

Pulisic also reflects on his time at AC Milan: “Everything at Milan has been crucial, and I believe in what I can do. Staying healthy for most of the season and consistently performing well has been beneficial for the Copa América, giving me the feeling that this might be my best season yet. It’s not just about statistics. I’ve enjoyed this campaign, and I’m really confident right now.”