Orlando City fans have been anticipating Chris Mueller’s U.S. Men’s National Team call-up for months.
The buzz began with Mueller’s scintillating showing at the MLS is Back Tournament in July, when the 24 year-old scored three goals in two games against Inter Miami and NYCFC. It continued throughout the regular season, as Mueller ripped apart team after team to wrap up the year with 10 G/7 A in just 22 appearances.
In late November, the news finally came – Mueller, along with teammates Daryl Dike and Andrés Perea, was headed to USMNT camp, with a friendly to be played on December 9 against El Salvador. Orlando City fans would finally be able to see their Lion don the red, white and blue.
But even with months of hype, Mueller exceeded expectations.
Miueller led the way as the USMNT shredded El Salvador 6-0 in Fort Lauderdale. Five of the goals came in an 11-minute span in the first half and Mueller had a hand in four of them, scoring twice, assisting another, and providing a deflected helper for a fourth. The Orlando City star was voted Man of the Match by the USMNT faithful for his efforts.
After the game, Mueller relayed what USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter told him prior to kickoff: “Just be yourself out there. Be who you’ve been all year. Don’t try and be something else now that you’re here and try and change a bunch of things. Just be yourself and be Chris Mueller.”
That’s exactly what Mueller did in the game. Watch his second goal, where he gets around his marker and dives to head home a cross from LA Galaxy fullback Julian Araujo:
