Chelsea star Christian Pulisic scores to take USA one step closer to 2022 World Cup qualification
As reported by the club’s official website, Chelsea forward Christian Pulisic got on the scoresheet to keep the United States national team on track to qualify for the 2022 Qatar World Cup in Qatar. The match was played in freezing conditions, with the temperature dropping as low as -16°C by half-time.
Pulisic has found game time a little hard to come in recent weeks at Chelsea, given the competition that Chelsea have in the attacking ranks. However, he continues to be a star for his national side, as proven by his recent goalscoring exploits in Minnesota, as the USA overcame Honduras 3-0.
The win capped off an important night for Pulisic and Co., as they recovered from the weekend’s 2-0 defeat away to Canada, who lead the table after the third round of the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers. USA’s win against Honduras keeps them in second place in the table.
The top three teams in the third round table of the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers gain guaranteed qualification to the 2022 World Cup. Pulisic will hope that his national side holds on to their second spot, as they face off next against Mexico, who occupy third place in the table.
Close CONCACAF battle
The win against Honduras saw the US national side play in what was announced as the coldest match in the country’s history on record. Whatever happens, the USA side will hope that they do not end the qualifiers finishing in the fourth spot, as this would lead to them playing the dreaded inter-confederation playoff to qualify.
The fourth-placed team in the table advances to the play-off, where they will play against the winner of the Oceania Football Confederation group. This game will decide who joins the top 3 teams from the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers to head into the 2022 World Cup.
The match in Minnesota bore witness to the Chelsea winger’s 18th international goal at the senior level. This takes Pulisic to ninth place on the USA’s list of all-time scorers. It adds yet another feather in the cap to a player who recently became only the first American to play in and win the Champions League final.
Chelsea fans will also hope that the US team finishes in the top three places in the CONCACAF table so that the American is not called away on national duty for more games in what is a busy second half of the season for Chelsea. The club will need all of their players available and fit as we aim to finish the campaign strongly.
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The forward will hope that his recent goalscoring exploits continue at the club level as well. He will be keen to return to the starting lineup for the Blues as the club take part in the Carabao Cup final and FIFA Club World Cup later this month.
Early silverware could await the American this month, and he will hope to play a significant part in the Blues’ journey in achieving glory. Having mostly been relegated to bench appearances this season, Pulisic will aim to work his way back into the team’s plans with the second half of the season yet to be played.