Pulisic reveals the heartwarming meaning behind worm celebration: The winger’s antics elicited laughter at first, but the dance had a deeper meaning.
Christian Pulisic scored three of the USMNT’s five goals against Panama on Sunday night, with one of his celebrations being very meaningful to the USMNT star.
The United States thrashed Panama 5-1 on Sunday to come one step closer to qualifying for the Winter Olympics in Qatar; anything less than a six-goal loss against Costa Rica on Wednesday will ensure automatic qualification.
Pulisic’s hat-trick was crucial, and his decision to do the worm after scoring his second was particularly amusing for his teammates, but a meaningful moment for Pulisic and one USMNT fan.
Pulisic had an unorthodox celebration after scoring his second of three goals, dropping down to do the worm.
The Chelsea forward’s joy was short-lived, as he sprang to his feet to welcome onrushing teammates.
Pulisic stated after the game that the celebration was in honor of a USMNT fan named Mason Ogle, whom the trio met before Sunday’s play.
Ogle, who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a kind of bone cancer, was named the USMNT’s matchday ambassador on Sunday after the 15-year-old continued to play with his high school soccer team despite chemotherapy and a prosthetic knee.
Before the game, Ogle met with the players during training and made a simple request of Pulisic.
“I met someone really special yesterday,” Pulisic said after the match. “His name was Mason, and his one request was that if I scored, he wanted to see a worm celebration. That’s what that was for.”
After the game, USMNT striker Jesus Ferreira remarked, “I had no clue it was going to happen.” “I was startled yet ecstatic when it happened.” I believe that the finest part of scoring goals is the celebration, and he performed the worm celebration, so I’ll give it an eight. He didn’t go back down, therefore I can’t award him a ten.
“I definitely give him a five solely for flexibility,” said winger Paul Arriola. I thought his worm might have been a bit more flexible, but I couldn’t do that. “Who am I to pass judgment?”
