A former U.S. striker believes Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams and other American stars are likely to “explore the possibility” of playing in MLS as the U.S.-hosted 2026 World Cup approaches.
The 25-year-old Pulisic is coming off an excellent season with AC Milan, where he scored 12 goals in Serie A and played a crucial role in the club’s second-place finish.
Still, the Hershey, Pennsylvania native — who began his professional career with Borussia Dortmund — has spent nearly a decade in Europe at this point. And Taylor Twellman believes he could be charting an eventual path home.
“Do I think Christian will come to the United States and the MLS before the World Cup? No,” Twellman told Mail Sport in an exclusive interview. “Do I think he’s had a conversation or two, I think he’s probably explored it? Why wouldn’t he? It would be stupid not to do it.
Twellman added that Pulisic’s American teammates Adams (of Bournemouth), Josh Sargent (Norwich City) and Weston McKennie (Juventus) – who was recently linked with a move to FC Cincinnati – likely feel the same way.
Christian Pulisic and Tyler Adams have both spent much of their careers in Europe
Weston McKennie has also been linked with a move to MLS, with FC Cincinnati reportedly bidding for him last week
“I think people need to realize how long has Weston been in Europe? Christian? Josh, Tyler?,” Twellman asked.
‘Ten years in Europe, away from your family, and then also a World Cup in this country. I wouldn’t be surprised if those guys explore that possibility.’
At this point, McKennie appears to be the best player to return to the United States.
Pro football thread reported last week that Cincinnati had made an offer for the Juventus midfielder, with the team said to be willing to pay as much as $15 million to sign him.
There were also rumors that McKennie had visited the club on the eve of the United States’ Copa America opener against Bolivia, although Twellman – based on conversations with others – believed that timing was incorrect.
Pulisic, McKennie and Adams all started for the Americans as they defeated Bolivia 2-0 – a result that some fans found disappointing after the team – namely Ricardo Pepi – missed chances to extend their lead late in the game.
Twellman, however, had no problem with the outcome, saying the dialogue surrounding the men’s national team had been “so negative.”
Taylor Twellman added that the dialogue surrounding the USMNT is “so negative” right now
“I think it’s funny. So they beat Bolivia 4-0. The question you ask 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 U.S. men’s national team is so negative. Did they miss chances, should they have won four-nil? Absolutely. But if they beat Uruguay, does that matter? No.
“This whole tournament for me is whether the United States under Gregg Berhalter, and this team can achieve an important victory,” he continued. ‘That’s what I look at. And that is much more important to me than any score.”
The US hopes to advance against Panama on Thursday evening in their second group stage match of this Copa America.