Chelsea ace Christian Pulisic is determined to change perceptions around USA football at this year's World Cup.

head of their group opener against Wales on Monday, Chelsea winger Pulisic, 24, is hoping to use this competition to spark some much-needed change.

Asked if this World Cup can be used to change perceptions of the US national team, Pulisic nodded: “Absolutely, that's what we're here to do.

“Maybe it hasn't been the top sport or whatever back in the states and we want to change the way that the world sees American soccer – it's one of our goals.

“It's not necessarily about what others are getting wrong about us. We have to prove it to ourselves.

“We haven't been at the level of some of these world powerhouses in recent decades, but we've had good teams with a lot of heart.

“We can take it to next the step – a successful World Cup would change a lot of things."