US Soccer star Christian Pulisic will miss final competitive matches for USMNT before World Cup
Pulisic, along with several other regular starters, will sit out the final competitive matches before the World Cup to rest after heavy workloads, as the USMNT kicks off its Gold Cup campaign.
Christian Pulisic will be absent for the next CONCACAF Gold Cup, as the U.S. men's national team seeks to improve from disappointing performances earlier in the year. The 27-man squad with many regular starters missing has been announced by coach Mauricio Pochettino, indicating a new beginning for the team leading up to the 2026 World Cup.
Despite the missing players, Pochettino tasked his team to be resilient and determined in every match to regain the trust of the fans. The team includes new recruits and MLS hopefuls, with training set to begin in early June as the U.S. prepares for friendlies against Switzerland and Turkey, then group-stage matches in the Gold Cup.
Pulisic will be absent in the USMNT before the World Cup
Christian Pulisic is one of several key starters missing the United States' appearance at next month's CONCACAF Gold Cup, adding to the woes of a team in the midst of recovering from abysmal performances in the Copa América and CONCACAF Nations League.
With so many of the regulars absent, coach Mauricio Pochettino is appealing to his players to let fans know that improved performances are coming.
"It's our duty to send a message," he told a Zoom press conference introducing his 27-man squad. "I think our fans need to see our team fighting and playing and performing and playing well, yes, but fighting for the flag and being always in every single game (to) match the aggressivity of the opponent."
Pulisic, the U.S. team star, requested to be left out of the team for the final competitive matches ahead of the 2026 World Cup because he wished to rest after playing in around 120 games for club and country over two seasons.
Yunus Musah, another major name, withdrew; so did Antonee Robinson, who was injured; and Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, and Gio Reyna, who were kept back due to FIFA having advance scheduling issues for the enlarged Club World Cup.
Meanwhile, the likes of Josh Sargent, Joe Scally, Cameron Carter-Vickers, and Tanner Tessmann were left out because of "football decisions," Pochettino explains.
U.S. Soccer Federation sporting director Matt Crocker explained that Pulisic and his team requested the ability to skip the matches due to his busy schedule in recent years.
"Many people can say it's really important for us to be all together for the last time before the World Cup," Pochettino said. "We decided the best for him, the best of the team, the best for the national team is the decision that we made."
What are the battle proof for Pochettino USMNT?
Since taking over for Gregg Berhalter following the U.S. national team's premature Copa América exit last summer, Pochettino is operating with a condensed schedule, with only four short international training windows before players must gather prior to the World Cup.
In March's Nations League, the team's first real test since assuming responsibility under Pochettino, the U.S. was defeated by Panama and Canada. Not blaming complacency, the coach said, "We learned a lot and need to approach these opportunities differently."
The team has 16 Major League Soccer players, the highest since the U.S. had mostly a B team compete in the 2023 Gold Cup.
Pochettino stressed the importance of focus and dedication at national team camps, saying, "If you come into camp wanting to play golf or visit your family and friends, that's not the culture we're looking for. Everyone has to commit 100% to the team if we want to improve."
Returning with the group are outside back Sergiño Dest, who has been recovering from a torn ACL, and forward Folarin Balogun, who has returned from shoulder surgery. Also on the roster are some additions such as 20-year-old right back Alex Freeman, the son of one-time NFL great Antonio Freeman; 24-year-old midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, the son of the previous coach; 20-year-old forward Damion Downs; and 21-year-old defender Quinn Sullivan.
Goalkeeper Matt Freese, who was present in training camps but never made the cut in a game, was also included.
The players are to report for training in Chicago on June 1, and the last 26-man Gold Cup roster must be submitted by June 4. On June 7, the U.S. will host Turkey in East Hartford, Connecticut, followed by a June 10 match against Switzerland in Nashville, Tennessee, before group games against Trinidad and Tobago, Saudi Arabia, and Haiti in the first round of the Gold Cup.
