USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino did not hold back when it came to his thoughts on the drama regarding star forward Christian Pulisic and his absence from the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup.
Pulisic decided not to partake in the continental tournament, which represents national teams from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean Islands. He cited fatigue and a need for rest after a long season with Italian club AC Milan, where he came into his own as a star player on top of being the U.S.’s best attacker.
The decision saw him and Pochettino get themselves surrounded with controversy. Many criticized the former for not showing commitment, having not played in the Gold Cup since 2019. Meanwhile, they went after the latter for not demanding more from his best player.
Nonetheless, the Gold Cup proceeded as the USMNT reached the final before losing 1-0 to rivals Mexico. However, the team had underwhelming performances as they nearly suffered a quarterfinal exit to Costa Rica, surviving in the penalty shootout.
Now, all that remains for the U.S. are friendlies, which will be warm-ups as the squad prepares to host the FIFA World Cup next year. Pochettino revealed his team for the September matches, which highlights Pulisic in the attack. The manager admitted he hadn’t spoken with Pulisic since the Gold Cup. Despite that, he expressed that what happened in June is behind them.
“No, we didn’t talk with Christian,” Pochettino said on a conference call with reporters, via ESPN. “I think nothing to talk [about]; I think everything is behind us, all that happened in [the] summer, and I think now we need to look forward.
“I think we have a plan for every single player, and the plan for Christian now is to call [him up], and to see him in this camp and of course hope that he arrives in a good condition, fresh and in good position with Milan, with his team and ready to compete. That is the most important thing.”
What Lies Ahead For Mauricio Pochettino, USMNT
GettyUnited States head coach Mauricio Pochettino during the national anthem before a 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup Group D match at Q2 Stadium on June 19, 2025 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Noah Goldberg/Getty Images)
Mauricio Pochettino is right to move on from the drama that came from Christian Pulisic’s Gold Cup absence.
What matters for him is to find the right players that fit the way he wants the USMNT to play. Since he took over as the head coach, the squad hasn’t been able to be consistent at winning games, something he will need to correct as soon as possible.
As for Pulisic, he would have been reasonable in his case for needing rest throughout the summer. A long season overseas can have a significant effect on the body, making his case legitimate. The issue, however, was his absence despite the team’s past struggles in recent tournaments. They suffered a group stage exit in the 2024 Copa America and finishing fourth place in the Concacaf Nations League.
The national team’s fanbase just wants more from its best players. When they don’t see Pulisic and others showing up and performing well on the pitch, they will be quick to criticize. They can forgive Pulisic’s absence if he plays at a high level moving forward, especially for the upcoming World Cup.
The USMNT will begin preparation for its September friendly matches, hosting South Korea on Sept. 6 at 5 p.m. ET. After that, they will face Japan on Sept. 9 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
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