Christian Pulisic will sit out next month’s CONCACAF Gold Cup, headlining a list of key absentees from the 27-man U.S. Men’s National Team squad revealed by head coach Mauricio Pochettino on Thursday.
After a grueling season with AC Milan in which he made 49 appearances and registered 17 goals and 12 assists, the 25-year-old forward has opted to take a much-needed break. U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker confirmed that the decision was a collaborative one between the player, his club, and the national team.
“Christian and his team approached the federation and coaching staff about the possibility of stepping back this summer,” Crocker said. “Given the amount of matches he’s played over the past two years with minimal rest, we agreed this is the right moment to prioritize his recovery and long-term performance.”
Pulisic isn’t the only high-profile omission. Milan teammate Yunus Musah and Fulham left-back Antonee Robinson are also excluded from the roster. Meanwhile, Weston McKennie and Tim Weah of Juventus, as well as Gio Reyna of Borussia Dortmund, will be unavailable due to their clubs’ participation in the Club World Cup, which kicks off June 15 in the United States.
In their absence, Pochettino has opted for a youthful and experimental squad, handing senior debuts to defenders Alex Freeman and Quinn Sullivan, midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, and forward Damion Down.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to work with a fresh group of players during an extended camp,” said Pochettino. “While the long-term goal remains World Cup preparation, we’re also focused on winning and playing attractive football. These players have earned their chance to represent the country and show what they can offer.”
The U.S. will begin their pre-tournament preparations with friendlies against Turkey on June 7 and Switzerland on June 10. The Gold Cup, jointly hosted by the U.S. and Canada, runs from June 14 to July 6 and will serve as a critical test of depth and readiness as the U.S. continues building toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
With some of the team’s biggest stars absent, this summer’s tournament represents a golden opportunity for emerging talent to step up and stake their claim for a more permanent role on the road to 2026.
