A former USA striker believes Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams and other American stars are likely ‘exploring the possibility’ of playing in MLS as the US-hosted 2026 World Cup fast approaches.
Pulisic, 25, is coming off of a career season with AC Milan, where he scored 12 goals in Serie A and played a pivotal role in the club’s second-place finish.
Nonetheless, the Hershey, Pennsylvania native – who began his pro career with Borussia Dortmund – has at this point spent nearly a decade in Europe. And Taylor Twellman believes he could be plotting an eventual route home.
‘Do I think Christian comes to the United States and MLS before the World Cup? No,’ Twellman told Mail Sport in an exclusive interview. ‘Do I think he’s had a conversation or two, do I think he’s probably explored it? Why wouldn’t he? It’d be dumb not to.
Twellman added that Pulisic’s USA teammates Adams (of Bournemouth), Josh Sargent (Norwich City) and Weston McKennie (Juventus) – who has recently been linked to a move with FC Cincinnati – are likely thinking the same way.
Christian Pulisic and Tyler Adams have both spent large chunks of their careers in Europe
Weston McKennie has also been linked to an MLS move, with FC Cincinnati reportedly bidding for him last week
‘I think what people need to realize, is that how long has Weston been in Europe? Christian? Josh, Tyler?,’ Twellman asked.
‘Ten years in Europe away from your family with a World Cup being in this country – it wouldn’t surprise me at all if those guys are exploring the possibility.’
At the moment, the best bet of those players to move back Stateside seems to be McKennie.
Pro Soccer Wire reported last week that Cincinnati had bid for the Juventus midfielder, with the side said to be wiling to pay as much as $15million to sign him.
There were also rumors that McKennie had visited the club on the eve of the USA’s Copa America opener vs. Bolivia, though Twellman – based on conversations with others – believed that timing to be incorrect.
Pulisic, McKennie and Adams all started for the Americans as they beat Bolivia 2-0 – a result which some fans found underwhelming after the team – namely Ricardo Pepi – missed chances towards the end of the match to expand the lead.
Twellman, though, had no issues with the score line and said the dialogue around the men’s national team was ‘so negative.’
Taylor Twellman added that the dialogue around the USMNT was ‘so negative’ currently
‘I find it funny. So they win four-nil against Bolivia. The question you’re then asking me is ‘Well, it’s Bolivia, they’re the worst team in the tournament,’ Twellman opined.
‘It’s interesting, isn’t it? The theme around the US Men’s National Team is so negative. Did they miss opportunities, should they have won four-nil? Absolutely. But if they beat Uruguay does it matter? No.
‘This whole tournament for me is can the United States under Gregg Berhalter, and this team get a significant win,’ he continued. ‘That’s what I’m watching. And that’s way more important to me than any score line.’
The USA will hope to keep rolling on Thursday night vs. Panama, in their second group stage game of this Copa America.
