Stu Holden: Pulisic remains key as he tips Portugal for World Cup success

Former USMNT midfielder Stu Holden has offered his perspective on Christian Pulisic's current form. Holden suggests that Pulisic's performances are closely linked to his personal well-being, and he believes the burden of expectation can be heavy for the star. However, he remains optimistic, noting that the emergence of Weston McKennie as an influential figure has helped alleviate some of that pressure, allowing Pulisic to focus on his game.

Regarding the USMNT's direction, Holden highlighted the work of head coach Mauricio Pochettino. He believes the manager is currently adjusting to the American mentality, pushing the team to adopt a more pragmatic and resilient approach to compete with the world's elite.

When looking at the tournament favorites, Holden identified Portugal as the most likely side to win their first World Cup, citing their squad depth and the continued influence of Cristiano Ronaldo. Despite his high praise for the Portuguese side, Holden ultimately considers France to be the primary favorite, pointing to their unparalleled talent depth and extensive big-game experience on the international stage.