A Captain's Choice: Why Pulisic Ditched Modern Legends for a Golden Era

You know, everyone loves a good 'dream team' debate, don't they? And when Christian Pulisic, arguably the face of American soccer right now, weighs in, people tend to listen. What's more, when he makes a rather, shall we say, unconventional pick for his ultimate USMNT squad, well, that's when the conversation really ignites. Because, in truth, Pulisic—our Captain America, if you will—didn't go for the obvious. He didn't stack his lineup with the recent giants who’ve graced the pitch alongside him, nor those just a generation before.

No, quite astonishingly, Pulisic cast his gaze back, way back, to the legendary 2002 World Cup squad. A team, you might recall, that truly captivated a nation, marching all the way to the quarterfinals. And in doing so, he, perhaps inadvertently, gave a rather significant — some might even say 'snubbing' — to icons like Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, and even the indomitable Tim Howard. You see, these are names synonymous with US soccer glory in the modern era, players who redefined what was possible for the Stars and Stripes. But Pulisic, he had a different vision.

Why the 2002 team? Honestly, it boils down to something quite simple, yet profoundly important in team sports: chemistry. Pulisic, with the earnestness of a player who understands the delicate balance of a locker room, articulated that the 2002 group was 'so good together,' a 'special group.' He saw something cohesive, an undeniable synergy that transcended individual brilliance. And really, isn't that what we all hope for in a truly great team? That intangible spark that makes them more than the sum of their parts?

He didn't just dismiss the modern legends out of hand, of course not. Pulisic admitted it was 'tough.' You can imagine the internal debate, can't you? Leaving out guys like Dempsey and Donovan, who sit atop the USMNT's all-time scoring charts, or a wall like Howard, with his record 121 caps in goal—it’s no easy feat. And let’s not forget players such as Michael Bradley or Jozy Altidore, who have also left indelible marks on the program. Yet, for Pulisic, that 2002 collective, featuring stalwarts like Brian McBride, Cobi Jones, Claudio Reyna, and Brad Friedel, just possessed a certain magic.

That 2002 side, with its surprising run in Japan and South Korea, indeed became a benchmark. They pushed Germany to the brink, for instance, in a match many believe the US could have, perhaps even should have, won. And it’s this legacy, this collective spirit and undeniable success, that Pulisic—a player himself who bears the weight of national expectation, now dazzling for AC Milan after his Chelsea stint—seems to admire most. He’s not just picking players; he’s picking an ethos. An approach. A feeling, if you will, of what truly makes a team great.

So, while the debate rages on amongst fans and pundits about who truly comprises the ultimate USMNT XI, Pulisic has certainly thrown a compelling, and yes, slightly provocative, hat into the ring. His choice isn’t just about individual talent; it’s a nod to a bygone era’s unity and collective strength. And honestly, it makes you think, doesn't it? What makes a 'great' team truly great? Is it individual brilliance, or that special, undeniable bond that only some squads ever find?