Christian Pulisic and several key players will be absent when the U.S. team competes in the upcoming CONCACAF Gold Cup, a setback for a squad coming off disappointing outings in the Copa America and the CONCACAF Nations League. Coach Mauricio Pochettino, who recently took over after the team’s first-round exit at Copa America, emphasized the need for players to reassure fans of the team’s commitment. He expressed the responsibility of the team to reflect aggression and competitiveness in each match.
Pulisic opted out to recover from a demanding schedule of about 120 games over two seasons. Yunus Musah also withdrew, while Antonee Robinson was omitted due to injury concerns. Key players like Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, and Gio Reyna were unable to participate due to FIFA scheduling conflicts. Additional players such as Josh Sargent and Cameron Carter-Vickers were left off for “football decisions.”
Pochettino stressed the necessity of unity in preparation for the 2026 World Cup, though he acknowledged the importance of managing player workloads. Sixteen of the selected players are from Major League Soccer, indicating a focus on domestic talent. Pochettino’s vision centers on building a disciplined culture, aimed at maximizing focus during national team commitments.
Notable selections include Sergiño Dest, returning after an injury, and Folarin Balogun, back for the first time since shoulder surgery. Other new additions to the squad feature young talents like Alex Freeman, Sebastian Berhalter, Damion Downs, and Quinn Sullivan. The team will commence training in Chicago on June 1, with the final Gold Cup roster due on June 4, leading into matches against Turkey and Switzerland before facing opponents in the Gold Cup group stage.
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