Christian Pulisic has re-iterated his message to fans of USMNT and Chelsea as he prepares to play for his country once again in the international break. The winger starred for Anthony Hudson's side in their 7-1 CONCACAF Nations League win against Grenada on Saturday and is looking to continue that form.
It was just his second start for club and country since January 5 and once more demonstrated his skills on the international stage, scoring once and assisting twice whilst playing as captain. The win ensured that USA qualified for the Gold Cup this summer as well as putting them back to the top of their group.
It is El Salvador lying in wait now for Pulisic and his teammates and the pain of a tough 12 months has not escaped the 24-year-old. In a message to supporters, he reposted an image from The Athletes' Corner onto his Instagram story with the quote: "When I go to pray, I don't go asking God to fix this. I say, 'help me to see this from your perspective.' "
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It was part of a wider reflection that Pulisic made earlier this week in which he looked back upon the World Cup and a testing period at Stamford Bridge too.
With seemingly low confidence at club level the American star has kept on excelling when called up for his nation and scored at the World Cup over the winter only to be knocked out in the last-16 to Netherlands. The game carries immense regret for Pulisic though after missing a chance against Louis van Gaal's men.
"I watch myself back and see what could I have done so that if I'm in a similar situation, the next time it comes I'm going to bury that chance. At the same time, there comes a point where if you just continue to look back on it in a negative way and can't forget about it, then you're never going to move on."
It's this self-belief that keeps him going too. "I've always been a strong believer that everything happens for a reason. I believe God has a plan. I believe that the defeat against the Netherlands made us a stronger team, made me a stronger player, and that it's going to help us when we're in the next big match or the next World Cup," he told ESPN.
"Yeah, I think you get a whole new appreciation for what you do when you're sitting on the sideline and watching your teammates do it, especially in tough moments, which had been the case in recent weeks at Chelsea when results weren't quite going our way. And even though I wasn't a part of it because of my injury, it hurts me as well because I've been in that position. And I just want to do anything I can to be alongside my teammates during those moments. I want to push to be out on that field so much more.
"When I was out for two months watching training every day, and just not being able to do what I love, it hurts, and it makes you want to come back that much more. And now, when I come back and anytime I get to step out on the field, I truly feel blessed."
Pulisic did finally return from a long two-month lay off for the Blues, making two brief substitute appearances before starting the 2-2 draw against Everton. He has slowly started to build up his match fitness and it set on earning a place back in the side. The Hershey-born star is also hopeful of a brighter period to come.
"There are things happening, you know, years down the line that he knows and he has planned for me, and this is all leading up to it.
"After this injury, I worked a lot in the gym. I feel like I've become a lot stronger. I feel like I'm gonna be a better player in future years because of this. That's the answer he gave me, and that's what I realized over time. It's not like asking for anything. It's just having him there and feeling his blessing over you."
Pulisic now has ambitions with his country on a long and exciting journey towards the 2026 World Cup and also bouncing back his previous domestic levels too.
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