[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"football-site-config":3,"world-cup-status-en":27,"news-detail-pochettino-pulisic-will-end-goal-drought-at-2026-world-cup":61,"news-related-pochettino-pulisic-will-end-goal-drought-at-2026-world-cup-en":97,"news-related-match-pochettino-pulisic-will-end-goal-drought-at-2026-world-cup-en":26},{"adSlots":4,"affiliateMode":5,"brandName":6,"contentStrategy":7,"currency":8,"friendLinks":9,"homepageLayoutKey":10,"leagueFocus":11,"locale":12,"planVisibility":13,"seoDescription":14,"seoTitleTemplate":15,"siteCode":10,"siteName":6,"siteType":10,"subscriptionMode":5,"timezone":16,"id":17,"tenantID":18,"primaryDomain":19,"countryCode":20,"logoUrl":21,"faviconUrl":21,"theme":22,"seoKeywords":24,"status":25,"ads":4,"focusLeagues":26,"affiliatePolicies":26},[],"shared","Football Prediction Platform","scores_predictions","USD",[],"main",[],"en-US",[],"Football fixtures, results, free predictions, subscriptions, and clearly labeled partner links.","{page} | Football Prediction Platform","America\u002FNew_York",323900000000000000,1,"football.easytestdev.online","US","",{"primaryColor":23},"#1677ff","football predictions, football fixtures, football results","active",null,{"active":28,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"leagueImagePath":31,"seasonId":32,"seasonName":33,"startingAt":34,"endingAt":35,"daysToStart":36,"daysToEnd":37,"phase":38,"includeQualifying":39,"hostCities":40},true,"326135624916537344","World Cup","https:\u002F\u002Fmedia.api-sports.io\u002Ffootball\u002Fleagues\u002F1.png","326255613308833792","2026\u002F2027","2026-06-11","2026-06-28",-37,-20,"finished_recent",false,[41,42,43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60],"Atlanta","Boston","Dallas","East Rutherford","Guadalajara","Houston","Kansas City","Los Angeles","Mexico City","Miami","Monterrey","New-York","New York New Jersey","Philadelphia","San-Francisco","San Francisco Bay Area","Seattle","Toronto","Vancouver","Zapopan",{"article":62},{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":63,"category":64,"excerpt":65,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":66,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"matchId":67,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":68,"slug":69,"sourceName":70,"sourceURL":71,"teamId":72,"teamName":73,"teamIds":74,"teamNames":85,"title":96},"USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino has thrown his full support behind Christian Pulisic, voicing unwavering belief that the attacker will conquer his World Cup goal drought when the tournament arrives on North American soil in 2026. In a recent press conference, Pochettino labeled Pulisic \"a special player\" and dismissed any notion of lingering struggles in front of goal, framing the drought as a temporary pause rather than a permanent shortcoming. The Argentine's declaration immediately resonated across American soccer circles, where Pulisic's ability to deliver on the grandest stage has long been a subject of intense scrutiny.\n\nPulisic, 25, stands as the most recognizable figure in the U.S. player pool, yet his World Cup résumé remains a point of quiet frustration. The Pennsylvania native opened his account at the 2022 tournament in Qatar, scoring a defining goal against Iran that propelled the Stars and Stripes into the knockout rounds. However, that strike stands as his only World Cup tally across two cycles, and since then, the forward has endured a barren run in competitive fixtures for the national team—a drought Pochettino is now determined to help him end. With the 2026 edition looming as a home-turf spectacle, the pressure to perform intensifies exponentially.\n\nThe context of Pochettino’s remarks extends beyond mere morale-boosting. The coach, who took the reins following a disappointing Copa América campaign, is tasked with reshaping a squad that has often looked disjointed in the final third. By publicly pinning his faith on Pulisic, Pochettino is signaling a shift toward a more centralized, star-driven approach—one that leans heavily on the AC Milan forward’s creativity, pace, and finishing. \"He's a special player,\" Pochettino said, echoing a sentiment that he has frequently shared about the former Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund man.\n\nPulisic’s goal drought, while stark in the national team context, contrasts sharply with his club form. At Milan, he has rediscovered a lethal edge, regularly contributing goals and assists in Serie A and European competition. That club-versus-country disparity has fueled debate over tactical setup, with many arguing that USMNT systems have failed to unlock Pulisic’s full potential. Pochettino, known for his work with elite attackers like Harry Kane and Son Heung-min at Tottenham, is expected to build a framework that maximizes Pulisic’s off-the-ball movement and final-third decision-making.\n\nFrom a historical perspective, high-profile goal droughts are nothing new in World Cup lore—and they often end spectacularly. Lionel Messi, Fernando Torres, and Miroslav Klose all experienced fallow periods before exploding into tournament-defining form. Pochettino, who faced similar narratives as a player and has managed superstars at Paris Saint-Germain, understands the psychology behind such slumps. His confidence in Pulisic is not blind optimism but a calculated bet on a player he believes possesses the \"special\" qualities needed to flip the script when the world is watching.\n\nThe 2026 World Cup will be unlike any other for the USMNT. As co-hosts alongside Canada and Mexico, the Americans will enjoy home-field advantage through the group stage and potentially deep into the knockout rounds. For Pulisic, that environment could serve as a catalyst. The roar of partisan crowds, familiarity with venues, and a schedule that minimizes long-haul travel are assets that Pochettino believes can ignite a scoring streak. The coach’s words were carefully chosen to plant a seed of expectation while shielding his star from external pressure.\n\nWithin the locker room, Pochettino’s public backing is likely to galvanize not just Pulisic but the entire attacking unit. Young talents like Folarin Balogun, Gio Reyna, and Timothy Weah are all competing for roles, and seeing the coach invest so heavily in the team’s talisman sends a clear message about trust and hierarchy. It also raises the stakes: Pulisic will enter the 2026 cycle as the unquestioned focal point, a role he has publicly and privately embraced since emerging as a teenage prodigy at Dortmund.\n\nImplications for the USMNT’s tactical evolution are significant. Pochettino’s endorsement implies a more aggressive, possession-oriented style designed to create high-quality chances for Pulisic. The team’s recent attempts to play through low blocks have often stalled, but with a revamped midfield and overlapping fullbacks, the coach appears ready to turn those sterile possessions into genuine threats. Ending Pulisic’s goal drought is not merely an individual objective—it is central to the program’s ability to advance beyond the round of 16 for the first time in modern history.\n\nScrutiny will inevitably fall on Pulisic as the tournament approaches, but Pochettino’s message aims to convert that pressure into fuel. By labeling him \"special,\" the coach is invoking a term that carries weight in soccer parlance—it suggests a player who can change a game in a single moment, regardless of form or recent history. For a USMNT fanbase desperate for a deep run, that conviction offers hope that the country’s best player will finally translate his club excellence into consistent World Cup heroics.\n\nAs the countdown to 2026 continues, every friendly, Nations League match, and Copa América test will be viewed through the lens of Pulisic’s readiness. Pochettino, with his meticulous preparation and man-management skills, seems intent on ensuring that the narrative shifts from doubt to anticipation. The goal drought, he insists, will end where it matters most—on the world’s biggest stage, with the soccer world watching. Based on reporting from ESPN.","news","Mauricio Pochettino backs Christian Pulisic to end his World Cup scoring drought at the 2026 tournament, calling the USMNT star a 'special player.'","335576093492776961","0","2026-05-28T17:46:19Z","pochettino-pulisic-will-end-goal-drought-at-2026-world-cup","ESPN","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.espn.com\u002Fsoccer\u002Fstory\u002F_\u002Fid\u002F48904115\u002Fmauricio-pochettino-christian-pulisic-2026-world-cup-usa","326222707169431552","Anderlecht",[72,75,76,77,78,79,80,81,82,83,84],"326257814563459072","326323575902441472","326257536078450688","326257534329425920","326257546094448640","326257539333230592","326257546220277760","326222711908995072","326222713142120448","326222712898850816",[73,86,87,88,89,90,91,92,93,94,95],"Histon","Andorra","Paris Saint Germain","Borussia Dortmund","Tottenham","AC Milan","Chelsea","Mexico","Canada","Qatar","Pochettino: Pulisic Will End Goal Drought at 2026 World Cup",[98,128,156,185],{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":-1,"category":64,"excerpt":99,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":100,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"matchId":67,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":101,"slug":102,"sourceName":103,"sourceURL":104,"teamId":105,"teamName":106,"teamIds":107,"teamNames":117,"title":127},"Guéla Doué scored and assisted as Ivory Coast beat France 2-1 in a friendly, outshining his brother Désiré who featured for Les Bleus in the sibling showdown.","338200147588550657","2026-06-05T04:00:00Z","guela-doue-downs-brother-s-france-ivorian-2-1-win","L'Equipe","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.lequipe.fr\u002FFootball\u002FArticle\u002FUn-but-et-une-passe-decisive-contre-la-france-la-soiree-de-reve-pour-guela-doue-avec-la-cote-d-ivoire\u002F1681944#at_medium=RSS_feeds","326222712533946368","Ivory Coast",[105,108,109,110,111,112,77,113,114,115,116,72],"326222711447621632","326255037997125632","326257536145559552","326222711401484288","326222767416414208","326257536296554496","326257537865224192","326257686389723136","326257535994564608",[106,118,119,120,121,122,88,123,124,125,126,73],"France","Strasbourg","Rennes","Belgium","Lesotho","Auxerre","Estoril","Together","Nantes","Guéla Doué downs brother's France: Ivorian 2-1 win",{"awayTeamId":129,"awayTeamName":130,"body":-1,"category":64,"excerpt":131,"homeTeamId":82,"homeTeamName":93,"id":132,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"matchId":133,"matchName":134,"publishedAt":135,"slug":136,"sourceName":137,"sourceURL":138,"teamId":82,"teamName":93,"teamIds":139,"teamNames":147,"title":155},"326222712622026752","South Africa","Shakira & Burna Boy sing 'Dai Dai' at 2026 World Cup opener June 11 in Mexico City, with J Balvin, Tyla. Buble, Morissette, Perry, Future lead other ceremonies.","338120887364489217","327115024327774208","Mexico vs South Africa","2026-06-04T22:48:54Z","shakira-burna-boy-to-open-2026-world-cup-in-mexico","BBC Sport","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.com\u002Fsport\u002Ffootball\u002Farticles\u002Fc8939ykg3qgo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss",[82,129,140,83,141,72,142,143,144,145,146],"326222712936599552","326257593007738880","326222713016291328","326257563345620992","326257565195309056","326222711623782400","326257791226351616",[93,130,148,94,149,73,150,151,152,153,154],"Paraguay","Azteca","USA","Heracles","Barcelona","Colombia","Nigeria","Shakira, Burna Boy to Open 2026 World Cup in Mexico",{"awayTeamId":157,"awayTeamName":158,"body":-1,"category":64,"excerpt":159,"homeTeamId":108,"homeTeamName":118,"id":160,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"matchId":161,"matchName":162,"publishedAt":163,"slug":164,"sourceName":103,"sourceURL":165,"teamId":105,"teamName":106,"teamIds":166,"teamNames":175,"title":184},"326222711783165952","Senegal","France lose first friendly under Deschamps, 2-1 to Ivory Coast in Nantes, revealing defensive issues 10 days before World Cup start vs Senegal.","338126221931974657","327115052106649600","France vs Senegal","2026-06-04T22:34:17Z","bleus-lose-friendly-under-deschamps-2-1-to-ivory-coast","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.lequipe.fr\u002FFootball\u002FArticle\u002FUne-defaite-ni-vraiment-grave-ni-completement-anodine-pour-les-bleus-a-dix-jours-de-leur-entree-en-scene-au-mondial\u002F1681936#at_medium=RSS_feeds",[105,108,157,116,167,140,112,168,169,170,114,171,172,173,174,72],"326257810885054464","326255039846813696","326255041625198592","326257536413995008","326257541157752832","326257545754710016","326257554411753472","326257789708013568",[106,118,158,126,176,148,122,177,178,179,124,180,181,182,183,73],"York","FK Partizan","Partizani","Paris FC","Galatasaray","Newcastle","Newcastle Jets","China","Bleus Lose Friendly Under Deschamps: 2-1 to Ivory Coast",{"awayTeamId":186,"awayTeamName":187,"body":-1,"category":64,"excerpt":188,"homeTeamId":108,"homeTeamName":118,"id":189,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"matchId":190,"matchName":191,"publishedAt":192,"slug":193,"sourceName":103,"sourceURL":194,"teamId":108,"teamName":118,"teamIds":195,"teamNames":203,"title":211},"326222712819159040","Iraq","Lucas Hernandez: France's 1-2 friendly loss to Ivory Coast is better now than June 16 World Cup opener vs Senegal, with Northern Ireland test next.","338124609578602497","327115069915664384","France vs Iraq","2026-06-04T22:32:57Z","hernandez-france-loss-better-now-than-june-16","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.lequipe.fr\u002FFootball\u002FActualites\u002FLucas-hernandez-apres-la-defaite-1-2-de-la-france-contre-la-cote-d-ivoire\u002F1681942#at_medium=RSS_feeds",[108,186,105,157,196,197,198,114,171,199,200,201,202,84],"326257664243798016","326257535885512704","326222712013852672","326257556060114944","326257565845426176","326257695210344448","326257796423094272",[118,187,106,158,204,205,206,124,180,207,208,209,210,95],"Northern Ireland","Lille","Iran","Estudiantes L.P.","Mallorca","Signal","Russia","Hernandez: France Loss Better Now Than June 16"]