Rewritten Content:
AC Milan is understandably frustrated after Christian Pulisic returned from playing for the U.S. national team two weeks ago with a hamstring injury, sidelining him since. With another U.S. camp upcoming, Milan seems to be relieved that their key forward won’t face further issues during international matches.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Pulisic will not be part of the U.S. squad for the upcoming match against Paraguay on November 15 and the friendly against Uruguay three days later. This marks a crucial moment as coach Mauricio Pochettino prepares to finalize his World Cup roster for the spring.
Pochettino will announce the players for the November camp on Thursday, which kicks off on November 10 in Philadelphia. The U.S. Soccer Federation has not commented on Pulisic’s potential call-up, and AC Milan has yet to respond to inquiries about the situation.
Pulisic has been absent since a mid-October friendly, where he aggravated an injury sustained during training, leading to an early exit in the match against Australia due to a right hamstring strain. The U.S. coach suggested that the decision for team practices in Denver, following the heat in Austin, Texas, might have played a role in both Pulisic’s and Malik Tillman’s injuries.
Officials at Milan are reportedly displeased with how Pochettino utilized Pulisic in two non-essential matches. As a result, Pulisic will miss his fourth consecutive game against Roma this Sunday, although he may return for the Serie A fixture against Parma on November 8. Nonetheless, Milan is advocating for Pulisic to stay in Italy to focus on his fitness rather than join the U.S. camp.
While Pochettino has the right to call players as FIFA mandates clubs to release them during international windows, the wellbeing of the players should also be a priority. Given Pulisic’s extended absence, both the club and national team must consider the implications of a busy match schedule on his long-term fitness.
The tension between club and international commitments is always complex, with each entity pursuing its own goals. Pochettino, with his experience managing top European clubs, understands this balance well. For example, in October, he overlooked Sergiño Dest, despite the player’s readiness following his recovery from injury, recognizing the demands placed on him by club duties.
In September, Pochettino also dropped Tillman from the roster to help him adapt to his new club, Bayer Leverkusen. As the World Cup nears, the urgency to assemble a strong team increases. After the November games, the next opportunity to regroup will be from March 23 to 31, with friendlies likely scheduled in Atlanta against Portugal and Belgium.
Ideally, Pochettino would like to see Pulisic build chemistry during the November camp, but he also acknowledges a player-centric approach. He must weigh the benefits of travel and match demands against the player’s recovery. Ultimately, Pulisic needs to maintain his form for a successful World Cup training camp starting in late May.
Pochettino has also faced criticism from Premier League club Crystal Palace regarding center-back Chris Richards, who reportedly worsened a calf problem after playing full matches in October. Palace manager Oliver Glasner expressed disappointment that the U.S. team continued to utilize Richards despite his ongoing issues.
Following a match against AEK Larnaca on October 23, Richards played against Premier League leaders Arsenal but missed the League Cup clash with Liverpool. His availability for Saturday’s match against Brentford remains uncertain.
Fan Take: This news is significant because it underscores the ongoing tension between club commitments and international duties, a common dilemma for many players. As fans, we are keenly aware that player health is paramount not just for their teams but also for the overall competitiveness of national squads, especially as the World Cup approaches.
