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Ex‑USMNT Star Doubts Yunus Musah’s Role Under Mauricio Pochettino

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Emmanuel Mendez | Last updated Oct 9, 2025 8:39 AM ET

Highlights

Former USMNT player talks about Yunus Musah's current role in the USMNT
Yunus Musah was not included in the USMNT October roster
Former USMNT calls Musah's absence from the Gold Cup a mistake

The USMNT is preparing for two friendly matches to prepare for the 2026 World Cup. This October international break will see the USMNT play against Ecuador and against Australia.

Mauricio Pochettino decided to call up many players who featured in the previous international break in September, along with new names that are being looked at ahead of the World Cup. One of the players who was not included in the roster list is Yunus Musah.

Musah is seen as a regular player for the USMNT and currently has minutes at Atalanta in the Serie A. The American midfielder last played for the USMNT in March during the CONCACAF Nations League.

Former USMNT striker Charles Davies believes that Musah made a mistake in the summer, as the Atalanta midfielder asked for time off and missed the Gold Cup. Davies now thinks that Musah is at risk of losing a spot under Pochettino in the USMNT.

Charles Davies on Yunus Musah's absence from USMNT

Charles Davies calls back to Yunus Musah, missing the Gold Cup due to the player asking for a break. The former USMNT player thinks that Mauricio Pochettino did not appreciate Musah's decision to miss the Gold Cup.

Davies believed that Musah had a golden opportunity to play in the Gold Cup to not only impress Pochettino at the USMNT but also to impress other clubs since the midfielder was not in favor at AC Milan.

Charles Davies said, "I don't think that over really well with Mauricio Pochettino [missing the Gold Cup]. You're on the back foot. You've got to figure out a way to get to the front of the line."

Davies questions Musah's decision to take a break in the summer. The former USMNT player thinks that playing in the Gold Cup would have helped him significantly than where he is now.

Davies goes on to Musah's time at AC Milan last season, as he says that playing at the Gold Cup would've led to more teams interested in the player this summer. Davies said, "Wouldn't you say, 'You know what I gotta play in this Gold Cup to boost my stock.'"