Lalas Critiques Allegri's 'Sensitive' Label for Pulisic
FOX Sports analyst Alexi Lalas described AC Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri's public label of Christian Pulisic as "very sensitive" as the last thing a coach should call a player. Lalas made the comment on a recent episode of his "State of the Union" podcast, tying it to Pulisic's 18-match goalless streak at AC Milan. The U.S. men's national team forward has struggled to score, a concern with the 2026 World Cup approaching.
Allegri made the remark after a recent match, noting Pulisic lets scoring droughts affect him more than others. "He’s a player who gets into tackles and struggles more. He suffers more from this," Allegri said. Lalas acknowledged Pulisic's growth into what he expects will be the best male American soccer player in history but suggested external factors impact him emotionally.
Pulisic ranks fifth on the U.S. all-time scoring list with 32 goals in 82 appearances and became the youngest American to reach 10 international goals in 2019. His form has dipped internationally too, with no goals in his last seven matches for the national team; his most recent came in a friendly against New Zealand in September 2024. Pulisic scored the decisive goal against Iran to advance the U.S. to the 2022 World Cup knockout stage.
The 2026 World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada and Mexico, ending with the final at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 matches air live on FOX and FS1, with streaming on FOX apps.
