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Top 5 stars who are missing the 2018 World Cup

By Benjamin Barkworth

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - OCTOBER 10: Players of the Netherlands stand for a minutes silence for the Mayor of Amsterdam, Eberhard van der Laan ahead of the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier between Netherlands and Sweden at the Amsterdam Arena on October 10, 2017 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - OCTOBER 10: Players of the Netherlands stand for a minutes silence for the Mayor of Amsterdam, Eberhard van der Laan ahead of the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier between Netherlands and Sweden at the Amsterdam Arena on October 10, 2017 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images) /
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USMNT
Photo by Ashley Allen/Getty Images. /

Christian Pulisic

The great American hope; if any of the players in the USMNT deserved to be at the World Cup it was him. At just 19-years-old, he was dragging the United States through key matches in the qualifiers, but it wasn’t enough. The rest of the team, especially the experienced players, let him down. He had a vast burden put on him, and he nearly delivered the goods with the fact that he was the top scorer in the hexagonal stage supporting this.

Failing to get a result against Trinidad and Tobago was probably the most embarrassing night ever for the team. It clearly affected Pulisic, and probably will continue to for a while even though he scored and looked like the only player who could alter the result. However, the promise he showed is a great sign for the United States if they can build a team round him. He also has the benefit of being young, so he has got plenty of time to reach a World Cup.

Next: Thoughts on USA's World Cup qualifiers disaster

Even though he will probably be at the next World Cup, it’s still a shame to see such an explosive talent not at the biggest tournament in world football. Hopefully, the US will learn from their mistakes, so that the world can enjoy such a talented young individual on the biggest stage.

Sidenote: Marek Hamšík, Naby Keïta, Jan Oblak and Arturo Vidal were all close to making the list.

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