USMNT Omits Pulisic, Key Players from Gold Cup Squad

Christian Pulisic, the United States Men's National Team's star winger, will miss the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup to rest after a demanding two-year stretch playing nearly 120 games for club and country, including a season with 49 matches for AC Milan. This decision came after discussions between Pulisic, his representatives, and U.S. Soccer, with Sporting Director Matt Crocker emphasizing the importance of rest to prepare for peak performance in the next season. Coach Mauricio Pochettino acknowledged the challenge posed by the absence of Pulisic and other key players like Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, and Gio Reyna, who are unavailable due to club commitments such as the FIFA Club World Cup. Despite some criticism from former players like Landon Donovan and Alexi Lalas, Pochettino remains optimistic, viewing the Gold Cup as an opportunity to test new players and strategies ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on U.S. soil. Pulisic’s absence, along with other notable omissions, has sparked debate about balancing club demands with national team duties, but the federation and coaching staff prioritize player welfare and long-term readiness. The U.S. team will use pre-Gold Cup friendlies against Turkey and Switzerland to prepare, aiming to redeem themselves after recent disappointing performances in international tournaments.