Our boy Christian Pulisic is back in the Emerald City, but man, it's not the homecoming anyone wanted. Fresh off another World Cup exit, Pulisic was spotted on crutches at a Seattle hotel on Tuesday, battling a reported bone bruise and a microfracture in his tibia and fibula. This is a serious blow right when he's supposed to be gearing up for a huge season in Italy.
The Belgium Blowout: When Disaster Struck
This latest setback came hard and fast during Monday's crushing 4-1 loss to Belgium in the Round of 16. Pulisic was only on the pitch for a mere 59 minutes. The injury happened in the 52nd minute, with the USMNT already down 2-1 to the Belgians. He went for a shot, but ended up kicking Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans' calf instead, twisting his own ankle and knee in one play, as Pulisic himself put it after the match. He tried to power through, but he had to come off in the 59th minute. Just two minutes later, Hans Vanaken buried another one for Belgium, making it 3-1 thanks to a blunder from goalkeeper Matt Freese. Pulisic's exit marked an unfortunate end to what was an "otherwise absent performance" from him, which just stings even more.A World Cup Defined by Injury, Not Impact
This wasn't even Pulisic's first dance with the injury bug this World Cup. He'd already picked up a calf injury. That calf issue cut his game short at halftime during the 4-1 win against Paraguay on June 12, and then kept him entirely out of the 2-0 win over Australia on June 19. The man only managed to get close to a full 90-minute game once, playing 88 minutes in the 2-0 Round of 32 win against Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1. His World Cup was plagued by injuries and silent performances in those critical knockout stage matches. Sure, he had a "scintillating start" against Paraguay, snagging an assist and creating two chances in that first half, but that calf issue forced him off. It’s tough to see a player of his talent constantly sidelined when his country needs him most.Milan Awaits, With Major Questions
The good news is that this tibia/fibula injury is expected to keep him out for "weeks rather than months." That's a relief, but it still means he's slated to miss the start of AC Milan's preseason. New manager Ruben Amorim, formerly of Manchester United, spoke this Wednesday, saying, "Pulisic is a highly talented player, but unfortunately, he got injured again. We need to find out what's wrong with him." He clearly sees Pulisic's potential in Italy, specifically on the left as an inverted winger, emphasizing his ability to "make a difference in tight spaces." The support is there, the role is defined, but the persistent injury question looms large over Pulisic's early days with Amorim. Pulisic would've missed the USMNT's next game anyway if they'd somehow pulled it off against Belgium. For now, it's all about recovery. He's got to heal up and get ready for a fresh start with AC Milan, hoping to shake off this World Cup nightmare and finally show everyone what he can truly do consistently. The Emerald City is watching, hoping he comes back stronger than ever.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.