Rewritten Content:
Christian Pulisic, the prominent figure in the US men’s national soccer team and the top scorer for AC Milan this season, has been excluded from the roster for this summer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup, as announced by coach Mauricio Pochettino.
Pulisic, who had a chance to play significant minutes in Monza’s recent Serie A finale, is taking a break after two intensive seasons in European football and international competitions. Concerns about his health, especially with the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, contributed to this decision, sources revealed.
The 16-team Gold Cup is set to kick off on June 14 across 12 Canadian cities, including Vancouver. The USMNT has been drawn into a group alongside Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti, and guest nation Saudi Arabia, and US Soccer plans to announce the official Gold Cup lineup on Thursday morning. Reporters will have the opportunity to question Pochettino later that day.
Pulisic’s absence is a significant blow to the team, which will also miss key players like Borussia Dortmund’s Gio Reyna, Weston McKennie, and Tim Weah—all of whom participated in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Both Dortmund and Juventus are competing in FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup, which coincides with the Gold Cup. Last year, FIFA stated that participating clubs would not be required to release players for international duty during June and July as is typically expected.
Pochettino voiced his frustrations over scheduling conflicts during a Zoom meeting on Tuesday, stating, “This is a situation where we’re forced to have teams like the US pass by without the players that are usually with us.”
This season, Pulisic recorded a career-high 17 goals and 12 assists for the Rossoneri. Should he take the field against Monza, it will mark his 50th appearance during the 2024-25 season, matching his career total from last year.
For Pulisic, the 2025-26 European season is crucial, particularly as the remaining overseas-based USMNT players gear up for the 2026 World Cup.
Although Pulisic has not scored in his two appearances this year for the national team, the US has clinched seven of the last 17 Gold Cups, with their most recent championship occurring in 2021. Pulisic played in the 2019 tournament where he was named the best young player after helping the USMNT reach the final, which they narrowly lost to Mexico.
Doug McIntyre is a football journalist for Fox Sports, covering the US Men’s and Women’s National Teams in FIFA World Cups on five continents. Follow him on Twitter @ByDougMcIntyre.
Fan Take:
Pulisic’s absence from the Gold Cup signals a challenging road ahead for the USMNT as they prepare for major international competitions. His health is crucial not just for the team’s performance but also for raising the profile of American soccer on the global stage.
