How Christian Pulisic, USMNT must prepare for World Cup penalty kick scenarios

The spotlight of any FIFA World Cup knockout match brings few moments more terrifying than a penalty shootout. It is a scenario USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino has undoubtedly run through countless times. Having a well-rehearsed plan that accounts for every substitution, every tired leg, and every potential crisis includes the spot kick scenarios, which make or break a campaign. Just ask England. With 48 teams and a new Round of 32 bolted onto the bracket, everyone must survive an extra round.

History suggests the odds of the USMNT facing extra time are very real. About a quarter of World Cup knockout matches over the past five tournaments have gone to penalties. Of course, the top priority is to get a positive result from every Group D match against Paraguay, Australia, and Türkiye. Once the knockout rounds begin, every Pochettino training session should include a detailed penalty-kick plan.

Christian Pulisic on the spot

Captain America has the keys to the kingdom. If Christian Pulisic is on the pitch, the face of the program takes the penalty. The AC Milan winger has proven to be one of the most reliable spot-kick takers in national team history, famously converting the high-stakes, go-ahead penalty in the 114th minute of the 2021 CONCACAF Nations League Final against Mexico.

Pulisic is 13-of-15 from the spot, missing one for club and country each. Still, the 27-year-old has repeatedly demonstrated the composure required in those moments. If the USMNT draws a penalty in open play, Poch has an easy decision. Well, if the star talisman is on the field.

The complications begin if Pochettino decides to protect his captain’s legs late in matches. Should Pulisic come off after the 75th minute, the responsibility likely shifts to either Folarin Balogun or Ricardo Pepi. Both strikers have proven capable finishers and carry the confidence expected from center forwards. Neither has ever missed a penalty as a pro.

If both are on the pitch, the hierarchy should be clear going in. No one wants to feel slighted in that kind of spotlight, having to give up the ball sheepishly. Scoring a World Cup goal is a lifetime achievement. It would be an understandable letdown. Poch cannot let it happen. Put that fire out before any on-field smoke is given oxygen. Whoever is second is still going to be needed later.

Decisions are even more of a confidence management challenge after the stoppage time watch hits the 120th minute.

USMNT takes a strike

Pochettino’s substitution decisions will play a big factor. Who will have started and is fighting through tired legs? How can the USMNT sub on players without giving up a late gut-wrenching goal? What’s the plan once the whistle blows? Where should everyone slot it, if all options are available?

If the USMNT is tied in the 115th minute of a quarterfinal, every substitution must be evaluated with those questions already having answers. The challenge is obvious. Bringing on a fresh attacker for penalties increases shootout quality but may weaken defensive organization during the final minutes. Poch cannot afford to concede a devastating late goal simply because the bench was already thinking about spot kicks.

Pulisic should take one of the first four penalty kicks in any extra-time shootout situation. It’s hard to see any tactical reason for Poch to take the team’s most lethal threat off the field in a knockout game. Pepi and Balogun are interchangeable both on the teamsheet and as penalty takers. One defensible order would be Pepi as the opener to set the tone, Pulisic fourth to handle the pressure of a potential clincher or must-make, and Balogun fifth to utilize his big-game aura.

But what if Pulisic does come off for some reason? Or there was a Pepi-Balo swap during the game, leaving only one available? Perhaps a shootout is tied after five kicks. What should USMNT supporters expect then? Wait, the USMNT still needs players to convert the second and third penalties.

No player generates stronger opinions among American supporters than Gio Reyna. His relationship with the program, coaches, and fans has been scrutinized for years. Yet when discussing pure technical ability, few American players can match his composure on the ball. If Reyna enters and wants to take a penalty, Pochettino will have to handle that with care.

World Cup goes wild 

If either Pepi or Balogun got the start but came off, someone else will have to step up. Roldan missed the only penalty versus Panama in the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup Semifinal. Alejandro Zendejas, Timothy Weah, and Haji Wright are the only other forwards on the USMNT roster. Weston McKennie and Sergiño Dest will have run about 10 miles before the shootout. Poch cannot leave it to a defender, especially the dead-legged 38-year-old captain Tim Ream, right?

Reyna and Brenden Aaronson are the likely wildcard supersubs. However, Reyna’s relationship with the program and fans must be considered before giving Claudio’s son a shot. Aaronson has become one of the USMNT’s most trusted energy players and rarely shies away from high-pressure moments.

Regardless of what the odometer says, McKennie should be near the top of any emergency list because of his confidence and big-game experience. Sergiño Dest has the technical quality to handle the moment as well. So what’s the order?

1. Ricardo Pepi — tempo setter playing at peak form
2. Weston McKennie — midfielder with nerves of steel
3. Brenden Aaronson — the supersub with something to prove
4. Christian Pulisic — the safest hands in the high-leverage fourth slot
5. Folarin Balogun — closing with a composed, possibly fresh striker
6. Sergiño Dest — Champions League caliber clutch gene
7. Gio Reyna — dice roll on a redemption story

Pochettino has elevated expectations around the USMNT. If the Americans are going to make a deep World Cup run on home soil, these workflows matter. Few details are greater than deciding who walks to the penalty spot when an entire nation is holding its breath.

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