American midfielder Rokas Pukstas made the transfer to Barcelona’s academy from Sporting Kansas Metropolis in 2020, and now shining for Croatian membership Hajuk Break up, Pukstas is needed by extra than simply U.S. Soccer. The 21-year-old is rebuffing curiosity from Lithuania whereas preserving the door open for america sooner or later. Pukstas is within the midst of a powerful season with the Croatian facet, already scoring 4 objectives in 9 league appearances.
Attributable to Pukstas’ dad and mom being Lithuanian, the midfielder can be eligible to signify the nation, however once they’ve referred to as, he is been clear that his coronary heart is ready on representing america. Born in Stillwater, Okla., Pukstas has represented america at youth ranges, however he hasn’t been capped because the U-20 World Cup, the place he appeared in midfield in June of 2023 below Mikey Varas.
“Being a twin nationwide, you get calls from Lithuania, however I made clear, I made it direct that I am right here to play for the USA,” Pukstas stated on CBS Sports activities Golazo’s Morning Footy. “That is the place my coronary heart is, in order that they know the place my coronary heart is, and that is what I inform them.”
Pukstas added that he hasn’t had conversations with the present USMNT regime below Mauricio Pochettino, however having represented the youth groups and been across the federation, he is aware of what he must concentrate on. Being one of the best he could be at his membership and serving to Hajuk Break up win matches is what Pukstas can management, and he is doing simply that after additionally getting to enhance enjoying alongside a legend in Ivan Rakitic.
Rakitic is now within the Hajduk Break up entrance workplace, however he spent the 2024-25 season with the membership earlier than retiring, which was a transformative time for Pukstas. He was capable of be taught from the midfielder and the way he sees the sector, and it is exhibiting this season.
“I requested him a step-by-step strategy of how he approaches it, you realize, and he took me by means of the whole lot,” Pukstas stated.
“He took me by means of all his small particulars that he is realized. So simply the whole lot that he is given to me, I am greater than grateful.”
It is one thing that may be useful, having membership legends round, however credit score should be given to Pukstas for absorbing the whole lot that he may of their time collectively. His journey has been removed from a median one, and seeing his previous teammates do nicely for his or her golf equipment and with the USMNT is one thing that provides Pukstas confidence that he could make the breakthrough, too.
“The blokes like Diego Luna, Jack McGlynn, you see them, and you realize, I used to be of their cycle with them for 2 to 3 years, so we noticed one another develop,” Pukstas stated. “So it is nice to see these guys, you realize, carry out, not solely play, however carry out for the crew. So it provides me confidence as a result of I used to be there with them, too, and it additionally makes me completely happy that they are performing so nicely.”
Solely 21, even when Pukstas does not make this World Cup squad, there’s loads of time for him to make that breakthrough. His crew are degree with Dinamo Zagreb atop the Croatian Soccer League, which may additionally result in Pukstas gaining Champions League expertise. Already showing in UEFA Convention League qualifiers this marketing campaign, the UCL would offer extra alternatives for Pukstas to proceed his upward trajectory and get onto the USMNT roster.
