Christian Pulisic looked like the weight of millions of American soccer fans had been lifted from his shoulders.
“The reason that tonight meant so much is because we want to be on the biggest stage, playing in the World Cup,” he said Sunday after leading the U.S. over Panama 5-1.
Pulisic, a 23-year-old from Hershey, Pennsylvania, is among just four holdovers from the team that flamed out in that final night of the Clint Dempsey-Tim Howard generation,
Pulisic already is tied for seventh on the U.S. career scoring list with 21 goals. His European club career is unparalleled for an American.
“I think it was a big night, of course. I mean, scoring my first hat trick with the national team, I’m extremely proud,” Pulisic said. “I just really want to play in a World Cup and so does this team