‘Captain America’ Christian Pulisic has played under pressure before, but nothing like this World Cup

Pulisic, the face of the U.S. men’s national team, talks about feeling pressure to deliver World Cup success on home soil.

When the U.S. men’s national team opens its World Cup bid on Friday in Los Angeles, all eyes will be on Christian Pulisic. The 27-year-old star is widely considered the most talented American player of his generation and — rightly or wrongly — tasked with delivering the best result in the country’s history this summer on home soil.

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He says he’s not letting that pressure get to him.

“I think no matter what, wherever you’re playing, in the World Cup there’s pressure,” Pulisic, nicknamed “Captain America,” told NBC News in February at the training facility of his professional club, AC Milan. “I’m just going to try to live in the moment and enjoy the best I can.”