Pulisic Watch

Christian Pulisic Watch: How did USMNT star play for Chelsea vs Everton?

By Nicholas MendolaMar 18, 2023, 2:53 PM EDT

Christian Pulisic, now healthy, drew his first Premier League start since New Year’s Day when he joined the Chelsea XI for Saturday’s match with pink-clad Everton, going 62 minutes for the Blues.

A knee injury kept him out of a Premier League lineup from Jan. 12 to March 11, when he made a cameo off the bench against Leicester City.

STREAM LIVE CHELSEA vs EVERTON

Those 17 minutes came after six against old club Borussia Dortmund in the second leg of a UEFA Champions League tie.

Pulisic made some waves this week when he seemed to endorse the USMNT return of head coach Gregg Berhalter, calling actions taken against the former boss by Giovanni Reyna’s family “extremely childish” and “youth soccer.”

Below is our minute-by-minute analysis of Christian Pulisic after his display for Chelsea against Everton at Stamford Bridge.

Christian Pulisic Watch, live: Minute-by-minute focus on USMNT star vs Everton

3rd minute: Pulisic fizzes a cross toward goal but Kai Havertz can’t get his head on it as Chelsea has almost immediately claimed territory in the Everton end.

10th minute: A Reece James cross is just a bit too high for the Pulisic, as the diminutive leaper finds himself looking to make the most of dangerous service.

16th minute: Pulisic drops deep to get an incisive pass from Mateo Kovacic, turning and dribbling through the center to lay off to Ben Chilwell, but the move dies soon afterward.

26th minute: The American is cut down by Idrissa Gana Gueye in a nasty sliding challenge, and stays down for a minute as he helped Chelsea keep possession. Gana Gueye will get booked at the next whistle.

28th minute: Pulisic has the ball in a half-space and gets it to Joao Felix in the same spot, but the Atleti loanee’s bright dart into the box is cut out by the Toffees.

31st minute: The USMNT winger scoops a little pass into traffic that Havertz does well to get his foot to, but the flag is up.

35th minute: Pulisic is part of a tic-tac-toe break right to left that ends up with a Ben Chilwell cross over the field and without receiver.

36th minute: The American takes a Demarai Gray in the face (Rob Riggle voice) and needs some care from the trainers. It’s very surprising that he’s given the all-clear and how he looks the rest of the way will be under scrutiny.

45’+3: Pulisic lofts a cross toward the back post but it arrives a bit too quickly for two men screaming toward the target.

HALFTIME: The oft-fouled Pulisic is credited with a created chance, 27 touches, two passes into the final third, a block, and two recoveries. The stat sheet doesn’t show a full-merit Gray free kick to the Puli-face. The match is 0-0.

51st minute: Progresses the ball down the flank, followed by three Toffees. Drops the ball back Chilwell and the attack flips to the right side.

54th minute: GOAL, JOAO FELIX! Pulisic is running toward the far post to meet a Chilwell cross, but it’s blocked and winds up at the feet of Felix. A low drive through traffic kisses the far post and rolls over the line for 1-0.

56th minute: GOAL! But offside! Pulisic spins a tremendous shot past Jordan Pickford from distance, but Joao Felix was offside on the initial ball.

60th minute: Pulisic leaps but cannot control a wayward ball near the halfway line. Chelsea still leads 1-0 at the hour mark.

63rd minute: Subs off — That’s it for Pulisic. A very “off the ball” day for the American but Graham Potter will likely have noted that his runs created a lot of room including on Felix’s goal.

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Pulisic Watch: USMNT star has goal pulled back in Chelsea loss

By Nicholas MendolaMay 12, 2021, 5:12 PM EDT

Christian Pulisic picked up two in-match injuries and shook them off, but Chelsea’s American star will be more concerned with his offside goal not standing in a 1-0 loss to Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.

The 22-year-old USMNT winger was his usual busy self, pressing hard and working to find runs behind the Arsenal backline.

[ MORE: Three things we learned from Chelsea – Arsenal ]

He wasn’t massively successful with his mazy dribbles but had his moments, making two key passes amongst his tidy day moving the ball (94 percent).

He drew two fouls and missed the net with a header while also seeing a rare headed goal pulled back by VAR.

The good news aside from his 90 minutes is that he was strong and dangerous late, no signs of wear-and-tear despite the knicks.

Pulisic Watch: Chelsea – Arsenal

6th minute: It’s Chilwell to Pulisic, who finds Mason Mount but the midfielder’s shot is pretty easily saved by Bernd Leno.

20th minute: The American has picked up a limp, nothing major for a lot of players but antenna are raised when it’s a player with his recent injury history.

23rd minute: Exhale! Pulisic sprints behind the Arsenal line and cuts a great ball back into mix where Mount volleys but is blocked by a Gunners center back.

26th minute: Pulisic skies to win a header at the edge of the 18 but Arsenal plays it out before Chilwell can set up a cross.

32nd minute: The USMNT star is at the back post off a corner kick as Kurt Zouma can’t put his header on target, the looping ball not quite in Pulisic’s ideal radius. Pulisic’s leaning back header loops over the goal.

61st minute: Just when you said Pulisic was on the periphery he finds his way into the six to head home Zouma’s header of a corner kick, but the American was well offside.

70th minute: Oh no, he’s on the deck again. But the replay shows Gabriel Magalhaes’ knee going Into the American’s thigh and it’s likely just a bruise or “knock.”

87th minute: Olivier Giroud hits a beautiful long through ball that cues up a huge cross from the left. Pulisic is on his horse to get to the back post but it’s just a bit too high for his sliding effort to beat Leno.

89th minute: Pulisic’s spotted on the right and flashes a cross in that Arsenal clears but it’s right back to the American for a second cross. This one’s out for a late corner.

Stoppage time: More work from the right, but Chelsea cannot do much with his crossing and this Is going to go into the Arsenal win column. He wins another corner at the death, and James’ effort is… handled by the Gunners.

FT: 90 minutes, three shots, one on target, 1-of-6 dribbles, 34-of-36 passes, 1-of-6 on crosses, two fouls drawn.

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Pulisic Watch: USMNT wing provides danger, no finish for sleepy Chelsea

By Nicholas MendolaApr 20, 2021, 6:14 PM EDT

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel admitted that his players went through a strange week as the soccer world criticized his club and others who were prepared to join a European Super League.

That’s now in question, with Chelsea among the teams reported to join Manchester City in announcing an intention to leave the project.

[ MORE: Three things from Chelsea – Brighton ]

USMNT winger Christian Pulisic was one of few Chelsea players to show some jump soccin a 0-0 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, but the final chances were at a premium for the American and his teammates.

Pulisic was one of the few attacking players to look a threat to score or assist, but he didn’t find the back of the goal and will regret that to be sure.

Here are his best moments on Tuesday.

Pulisic Watch v Brighton and Hove Albion.

17th minute: Pulisic is slipped into the box and badly misses with his left foot, claiming that a Brighton player stepped on his foot. Replays are inconclusive at best.

38th minute: The American continues to show his rare ball skills, completing his fifth dribble In five tries.

HT: 35 touches, 16-of-19 passing, 5-of-5 dribbles, 7-of-8 ground duels, one foul drawn, one tackle, one shot off target.

50th minute: Hakim Ziyech skips past a defender and pushes the ball toward an onrushing Pulisic in the heart of the 18, but Brighton’s Ben White gets to the ball first.

59th minute: Now Mount tries to get the ball to Pulisic before White again steps in to thwart the American.

62nd minute: Pulisic pulls up and the trainers are out… but it’s just a cramp. A little massage and some sports drink are all it takes to bring the American back onto the pitch.

83rd minute: A quiet second half for almost all of Chelsea’s attackers sees Pulisic make some noise at the other end when he races back to put off a marauding Dan Burn.

88th minute: Sanchez corrals a Pulisic rip from in-tight moments after the American’s dribbled from the left is stopped by the Seagulls.

FT: Pulisic winds up taking three of Chelsea’s seven shot attempts, with one saved, one blocked, and one wide of the frame. Completing 5-of-7 dribbles and 32-of-39 passes while winning 9-of-14 duels, Pulisic drew a foul and made two tackles. On to the next.

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Pulisic Watch: USMNT wing influential for Chelsea, stymied by Ramsdale

By Nicholas MendolaMar 21, 2021, 11:21 AM EDT

Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Christian Pulisic was back in Chelsea’s Starting XI in Sunday’s FA Cup quarterfinal versus Sheffield United at Stamford Bridge, going 80-plus minutes of the Blues’ 2-0 win.

The USMNT winger was influential but not perfect in his 82 minutes, leaving with Chelsea’s only two shots on target as the Blues held a late 1-0 lead over the Blades.

[ MORE: Three things we learned ]

Pulisic saw more of the ball in the first half but brought plenty of danger in the second half. His intense chemistry with Olivier Giroud did not produce anything, while a pair of Aaron Ramsdale saves kept him off the score sheet.

Read on for all of his stats and the minute-by-minute account of his day.

Pulisic Watch, FA Cup versus Sheffield United

2nd minute: Dispossessed on the left edge of the 18 after team leaves him challenged by two Blades.

3rd minute: Drops deep to pick up the ball and beats his man with a turn before laying off for Olivier Giroud.

14th minute: Tackled by George Baldock but the ball goes to another Blues player, who is fouled by Baldock.

15th minute: Switches the play to the right for a cross that’s cleared by the Blades.

17th minute: Rescues a wayward Chelsea long ball and settles it to keep possession en route to a Ben Chilwell-won free kick near the left corner flag.

28th minute: Chelsea now leads 1-0 off an Oliver Norwood own goal, and Pulisic is involved in some incisive combination play before the final pass is well behind the American deep inside the six and the Blades clear the danger.

41st minute: There’s life as Pulisic drives the heart of the midfield with plenty of space, but the American hits a pass behind Chilwell to ruin the rush.

42nd minute: Pulisic picks off a bad pass and navigate a slip on the turf only to see Ramsdale make a fine in-tight save on the American, who nods the ball back to Mason Mount. The matchday captain can’t manufacture a shot on frame.

44th minute: Perhaps that terrible pass to Chilwell woke Pulisic up, because he’s within an inch or two of heading a cross on frame. The question will be whether an exasperated Thomas Tuchel can get the errant pass out of his head?

HT stats: Two shots, one saved. Three-of-four dribbles converted and 80 percent passing with a total of 42 touches. Pulisic drew three fouls and won 7-of-11 duels while picking up an interception and a tackle. (SofaScore).

46th minute: A terrific dribble nearly delivers a prime chance for Chelsea as Pulisic begins the half brightly and forces a fine save out of Ramsdale.

52nd minute: Now mainly on the right side of the formation, he’s central to pick up the ball to drive the middle and dish right to Callum Hudson-Odoi. The English right wingback flashes over the goal.

54th minute: The usual Pulisic-Olivier Giroud chemistry hasn’t connected much and the American tries a scoop pass to the French forward, cut out by a sliding Blades defender.

73rd minute: Chelsea had been out-worked by Sheffield United and the Blues made some subs but let Pulisic keep working, with bids to set up Hakim Ziyech for a shot and Cesar Azpilicueta for a big cross his first notable time on the ball in a spell.

74th minute: Crosses toward the back post off a fine 1v1 move but there’s no one there with Giroud having made way for Reece James.

83rd minute: Subs off for N’Golo Kante as Chelsea tries to close down the game.

FT stats: Four shots, two saved. Six-of-seven dribbles converted in 82 minutes and 82 percent passing with a total of 62 touches. One key pass, four fouls drawn, won 10-of-17 duels while picking up an interception. (SofaScore).

Christian Pulisic AKA 🧙‍♂️ #EmiratesFACup https://t.co/VqeHtECiD4

— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 21, 2021

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Pulisic Watch: How the USMNT star fared in Chelsea’s latest dud

By Nicholas MendolaJan 19, 2021, 5:34 PM EST

Photo by Tim Keeton - Pool/Getty Images

We can comfortably say two positive things about Christian Pulisic at Chelsea:

His injury concerns are less so after he started his seventh-straight Premier League game and went 90 minutes for the sixth time.
Frank Lampard is completely sold on the 22-year-old American winger.

One of those nice, light, fluffy clouds carries a dark lining, though, as Lampard may be on his last managerial legs at Stamford Bridge after Chelsea fell 2-0 to Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday.

STREAM LEICESTER – CHELSEA FULL MATCH REPLAY

How was Pulisic in the loss? Just fine, winning two dangerous free kicks and earning status as Chelsea’s most dangerous attacker.

That’s not saying a ton either, unfortunately, as Chelsea’s attack was poor again and the Blues sit in eighth place, nine points off their table-topping hosts.

Pulisic Watch: Minute-by-minute analysis of the USMNT winger

1st minute: Flying out of the blocks, Pulisic is denied an early shot by young Leicester star Wesley Fofana.

6th minute: Leicester’s Maddison and Albrighton play a short corner and Pulisic is at sixes and sevens to defend the duo’s quick movement. Albrighton’s cross is flicked by Barnes onto the path of Ndidi for the game’s opening goal.

28th minute: Chelsea is struggling to find its playmakers and Pulisic wins a free kick in his own half after firing back to get a touch.

33rd minute: He’s driving play again, surging through the final third to lay off for Callum Hudson-Odoi. The British winger’s shot hits the outside of the side netting.

40th minute: The American wins a penalty off Jonny Evans but wait! VAR sees the foul occurring just outside the 18. Mason Mount gets the ensuing free kick over the wall but not under the bar.

42nd minute: Pulisic’s bid to block a cross bounds off his hand and to Marc Albrighton. The American is a step slow to thwart Albrighton’s searching long ball and Chelsea’s Reece James makes a mess of marking James Maddison. 2-0 Leicester.

HT: Pulisic (28), Abraham (14), and Hudson-Odoi (19) have combined for 61 touches.

[ MORE: How to watch PL in the USA ]

Leicester City v Chelsea - Premier League — (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

55th minute: Our first good look of Pulisic in the second half saw the now right wing blazing back to catch James Maddison, Reece James nowhere to be found.

60th minute: Pulisic is back on the left side and working with a forward-thinking Thiago Silva, but Leicester handles the threat.

68th minute: Lampard takes off Hudson-Odoi and Kai Havertz in the 68th minute for Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech, keeping the USMNT star on the left wing and playing Werner underneath Abraham.

70th minute: Pulisic either broke early or the pass was hit late as the American breaks past the Leicester back line to see the flag raised for offside.

72nd minutes: Bursts past Timothy Castagne and hits the deck but the ball last hit Pulisic and it’s a goal kick.

85th minute: Wesley Fofana chops down Pulisic, who’s won another promising free kick just outside the area. Werner lunged to put Ziyech’s free kick in the goal but the Sian Massey-Ellis’ flag was up and VAR wouldn’t change anything.

FT: Is this the last time we see Pulisic playing for Frank Lampard at Chelsea? The underfire Blues boss may be out the door after another wayward result and that will lead to plenty of anxiety amongst USMNT supporters as a new boss weighs up his best players in a talented pool. Pulisic finishes with 49 touches, 7-of-11 duels won, three fouls drawn, two tackles, and one shot attempt (SofaScore).

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