Christian Pulisic's goal against Iran in the United States' group-stage finale at the 2022 FIFA World Cup helped get the Americans into the knockout round. The goal also helped the USMNT to put memories of a miserable 2018 sans World Cup football behind them.
Now, with the American game continuing to gain momentum, it seems that Pulisic could once again be a driving force for such momentum.
La Gazzetta dello Sport, an Italian paper, recently claimed that MLS side New York City FC, who only recently contested an Eastern Conference Finals against Inter Miami, contacted Pulisic's camp in an effort to bring him over the Atlantic Ocean.
Why this matters
If Pulisic accepted the move, it would easily be the biggest MLS-bound transfer in four years.
Sure, he might not be the biggest name to make the westward flight. Lionel Messi was the first to do it during the summer of 2023, with teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo de Paul following him to Miami in subsequent campaigns.
Other big-name club stars like former Borussia Dortmund midfielder Marco Reus made the jump following a Champions League run in 2024, while Brazilian midfielder Casemiro is set to join Messi and Co. in Miami following the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
It also seems that former Bayern Munich teammates Robert Lewandowski and Leon Goretzka could head to the United States. The former was recently seen visiting Chicago ahead of a potential transfer to the Chicago Fire, while the latter is also in negotiations with the Gregg Berhalter-managed side.
But Pulisic would truly captivate an American audience that has grown accustomed to seeing him play for the USMNT. Having seen him contest a home World Cup, fans would be able to see him contest domestic football matches on home soil.
It might not have the same appeal as seeing perhaps the greatest to ever do it or two members of what once was (and still is under former Burnley bench boss Vincent Kompany) a title-winning machine in Germany, but seeing an established American footballer play against some of the world's biggest stars in club football would drive increased domestic attention towards a league that has gained momentum over the past few seasons.
Credit the contrary to some capacity
When researching this piece, I came across an interesting read from Caitlyn Chale of Skyscraper Blues. In her piece, she argued that now is not the time for Pulisic to make the jump from European club football to the North American game and that the rumors aren't worth pursuing.
And her arguments have merit. Pulisic has found success in Europe, be it winning the Champions League with Chelsea or helping AC Milan to a Supercoppa Italia title. He also got his start with a Borussia Dortmund team that is notorious for developing superstars like Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham, both of whom are competing alongside Pulisic at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. And with Luka Modric all but set to retire, it would be foolish for Pulisic to pass up the opportunity to lead Milan's midfield into the next campaign.
But whereas it is stated that City Football Group, who also owns the Premier League side Manchester City and Segunda Division club Girona, can easily wait, they are also ambitious. This is the same ownership group that, despite controversies surrounding multi-club ownership, willingly navigated and re-shaped its own ownership to get both Manchester City and Girona into the Champions League during the 2024-25 season. This is the same ownership group that took on additional post-COVID financial hits to invest in NYCFC's future stadium, which is set to open next year.
Even for a player like Pulisic, to say that City Football Group won't consider bringing him in now is a bit of an overstatement.
Will they bring him in?
That remains to be seen.
But will they ponder the possibility of doing so in order to take the next step in a loaded Eastern Conference?
Absolutely.
And once Pulisic returns, it's only a matter of time before he proves City Football Group right.
Add us as a preferred source on Google