Despite his impressive performance in helping AC Milan come back from a two-goal deficit last weekend, Christian Pulisic will not be included in the United States men’s soccer team’s initial roster for the 2030 World Cup cycle, according to multiple sources.
Following a serious injury that fractured two bones in his right leg during the Americans’ disappointing 4-1 loss to Belgium in the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Pulisic was not utilized in Milan’s first three matches of the current Serie A season under new manager Ruben Amorim. However, he energized his team with an assist in just 31 minutes after coming off the bench last Saturday in a 2-2 draw against Lazio.
Another American player, Yunus Musah, was subbed in during halftime and is included in coach Mauricio Pochettino’s squad. Musah, who started all four of the U.S. matches at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, hasn’t appeared for his national team since March 2025. U.S. Soccer is set to announce Pochettino’s roster on Thursday for upcoming friendly matches against Chile, Peru, Canada, and Mexico.
Sixteen-year-old Cavan Sullivan has also made the September-October roster, as reported first by ESPN. The Philadelphia Union standout has the opportunity to break the record for the youngest player in the history of the U.S. men’s national team, a title held by Freddy Adu since 2006.
In addition to Sullivan, 17-year-old Adri Mehmeti from Red Bull New York will receive his first call-up to the senior team this month.
Pulisic has been a key figure for the national team over the past decade, amassing 90 caps and 33 goals, ranking fifth in the all-time list. While he was the first American to win a UEFA Champions League final, his relationship with Pochettino has been strained since he opted out of the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup, which the U.S. narrowly lost to Mexico. Pochettino seemed to indirectly criticize this decision recently, highlighting the complications in their rapport.
It’s surprising that Pulisic is not in the squad, but Sullivan’s inclusion is well-deserved. He has been exceptional lately, with five goals and six assists in his last seven MLS games, and has quickly established himself in the Union’s starting lineup.
With a record already set in major American professional sports at just 14 years old, Sullivan is positioned to make a significant mark, although he won’t surpass Adu’s national team record since he will turn 17 just two days after the U.S.’s match against Peru. Pulisic, who debuted at 17, shares this milestone with teammates Musah and Gio Reyna.
Following the match against Peru on September 26, the U.S. will compete against Chile in St. Louis on September 29, before facing Concacaf rivals Mexico in Glendale, Arizona, and Canada in St. Paul, Minnesota, next month.
Fan Take: Pulisic’s absence from the roster could signal a shift in the team’s future, emphasizing the rise of younger talent like Sullivan and Mehmeti. For soccer fans, this means an exciting blend of experience and youth as the team prepares for the next World Cup cycle—an important step in building a strong foundation for U.S. soccer.
Source: www.foxsports.com
