2017 USA Third – Christian Pulisic #10 Small

The 2017 calendar year was a pivotal and emotionally charged period for the United States Men’s National Team, defined by transition, youth integration, and ultimately heartbreak. Managed by Bruce Arena, the U.S. were deep into their 2018 World Cup qualifying cycle, relying increasingly on a new generation to lead them through CONCACAF’s Hexagonal.

Throughout 2017, the U.S. featured heavily in World Cup qualifiers, Gold Cup preparations, and international friendlies. While there were encouraging performances — including home wins and flashes of attacking progress — inconsistency plagued the campaign. The year infamously ended with the U.S. failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup after a shock loss to Trinidad & Tobago in October, one of the most devastating moments in program history.

Against this backdrop, the team’s third kit (often referred to by collectors as the 2017 alternate / special edition USA shirt) symbolized experimentation and change. Produced by Nike, the kit featured a dark navy base with tonal striping and subtle red accents, moving away from traditional white dominance. Sleek, modern, and youth-oriented, the design reflected a federation trying to rebrand and look forward — even as results failed to follow.

2. Player’s Impact – Christian Pulisic

The 2017 season marked the true arrival of Christian Pulisic as the face of American soccer. At just 18 years old, Pulisic was no longer a prospect — he was the U.S. men’s national team’s most important player. Having already broken through at Borussia Dortmund, he entered 2017 carrying creative responsibility rarely given to a teenager in international football.

Pulisic featured prominently across World Cup qualifiers and friendlies, becoming the team’s primary attacking midfielder / inverted winger. He finished the qualifying cycle as the U.S.’s top scorer in the Hexagonal with 4 goals, including crucial strikes against Honduras and Panama. His dribbling, acceleration, and fearlessness in tight spaces provided the U.S. with creativity that had long been missing.

Tactically, Pulisic was given freedom to roam between lines, often tasked with driving the ball forward in transition and creating chances from nothing. Despite his age, he showed leadership through performance — repeatedly demanding the ball in high-pressure moments and attempting to carry the team when momentum stalled.

While the failure to qualify for the World Cup overshadowed everything, 2017 cemented Pulisic’s status as the cornerstone of the next U.S. generation. It was the year American soccer fully accepted that its future rested on his shoulders.

3. Full Squad List (United States – 2017 Player Pool)

Manager: Bruce Arena

Goalkeepers:
Tim Howard, Brad Guzan, Jesse Gonzalez

Defenders:
Michael Orozco, Omar Gonzalez, Matt Besler, Geoff Cameron, DeAndre Yedlin, Jorge Villafaña, Tim Ream

Midfielders:
Christian Pulisic, Michael Bradley (captain), Darlington Nagbe, Kellyn Acosta, Alejandro Bedoya, Paul Arriola, Sebastian Lletget

Forwards:
Jozy Altidore, Bobby Wood, Clint Dempsey, Jordan Morris, Gyasi Zardes