Mike Ryan

Or is there actual

real cause for concern here because I always think the U.S.

is at its best when it is a galvanized underdog team that turns to its athleticism and its passion for the country and its passion for each other in that locker room.

And with that attitude, they can accomplish some pretty terrific things even when they're mismatched.

Well, does this team have the ability to win over a nation through their style, through their tenacity?

Because we've seen some magical runs in World Cups by host nations, some improbable upsets.

Russia, granted, they were juiced to the gills.

They found a way to pull off improbable upsets.

Germany, when no one expected them to make the deep run that they did because they were just starting a whole new generation, made it just short of a World Cup final.

So can this team come together, use what is a pretty massive advantage in these World Cup competitions, being a host nation?

Can that emotion be enough to carry a team that –

has a talent disparity from some of the global elites, no doubt.

But when Pulisic is in form, he is a dog.

He can be great.

He is shown at the very top levels in Europe for prolonged stretches when he is fit that he can be arguably the best player on the pitch consistently.

The match against Senegal was very promising.

He had Pulisic, he had his goal,

And it looks like Pochettino is going to get him in the best possible spot, which is have him in space and let him eat.

So what do you expect from Christian Pulisic?

And you feel pretty good.