The United States men’s national team will not count on its most high-profile figure for this summer’s Concacaf Gold Cup. Christian Pulisic, the forward from AC Milan, requested to be left out of the squad in order to rest after a demanding season in Europe. His absence, alongside other regular starters, forces coach Mauricio Pochettino to seek alternatives and take a bold approach ahead of the World Cup.

The U.S. Soccer Federation confirmed that Pulisic asked not to be included in the 27-player preliminary roster due to physical fatigue. According to sporting director Matt Crocker, the 26-year-old has accumulated over 3,500 minutes across club and international competitions over the past two years, leaving him with little time for recovery.

Why Christian Pulisic Abandoned the U.S. and Won’t Play in The Gold Cup?

“After extensive conversations, we agreed that this was the best time for him to take a step back,” said Crocker. “The priority is to have him at 100% for the next season with his club and especially ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.”

Although the absences of Giovanni Reyna, Tim Weah, and Weston McKennie were anticipated—since their clubs will be playing in the FIFA Club World Cup at the same time—the exclusion of Antonee Robinson, one of the best left backs in the Premier League, raised eyebrows. Also missing from the list are Yunus Musah (Pulisic’s teammate at Milan) and other Europe-based players.

Despite these notable omissions, the team welcomes back key names such as Sergiño Dest, returning from an ACL injury, and Folarin Balogun, who is back after recovering from a shoulder problem. The roster includes five players with no prior international experience, such as Matt Freese and Damion Downs, highlighting the coaching staff’s desire to refresh the squad.

Mauricio Pochettino emphasized that this is a crucial moment to evaluate emerging talent and instill a winning culture within the team. “It’s not about having a vacation or seeing friends. Whoever joins the national team must be ready to give everything,” the Argentine coach stated.

The United States will begin its Gold Cup journey on June 15 against Trinidad and Tobago in San Jose, followed by matches against Saudi Arabia on June 19 and Haiti on June 22. All eyes will be on a rejuvenated American team, determined to perform without its main star.