With Gold Cup absence, Christian Pulisic loses control of his USMNT narrative

There's no question that top-level players like Pulisic deserve rest. His Milan side competed on multiple fronts this season and made it all the way to the final of the Coppa Italia. But although Pulisic has played many games, he hasn't come close to the contributions of other European-based stars. Liverpool winger Mo Salah made 49 starts in all competitions this season; Man United midfielder Bruno Fernandes made 54. Pulisic has played only 42.

Additionally, Pulisic's rest appears to be coming at the expense of the USMNT. He hasn't missed a game for Milan since February or reported injuries since suffering from mild muscle fatigue in January. If there's more to Pulisic's condition, neither Milan nor the USMNT is sharing it. He's playing regularly, and comfortably, at a high level, and his absence from the USMNT is voluntary.

The soccer court of public opinion is aligning itself against Pulisic. The Athletic called it "a bad look," while online fan forums raged against Pulisic's perceived lack of USMNT commitment. 

If Pulisic needs rest, that's fine, but he should rest in the company of his USMNT teammates and take advantage of the only extended bonding period, at the Concacaf Gold Cup, that he'll have with those players before the 2026 World Cup. That's what a leader would do.

USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino, to his credit, has managed Pulisic's absence with grace. 

"All the considerations we were working in the last few months after March, I think we created the best roster we think can deliver what we want," he said.

Pochettino celebrates the players who could challenge for Pulisic's starting spot. That includes Club America's Alex Zendejas, Leeds' Brenden Aaronsen, Philadelphia's Quinn Sullivan and Salt Lake's Diego Luna. (He also cited Columbus' Max Arfsten and Orlando's Alex Freeman as defensive-minded players who could replace Pulisic.)

 "I think creating competitiveness in the squad is important," he said. "I'm very excited to work with this squad."

In 2014, USMNT coach Jurgen Klinsmann made headlines when he left talisman Landon Donovan off his World Cup roster. Klinsmann fielded lesser-known players in Donovan's place, and the team went on to have one of its best World Cup showings in years. Could 2026 bring another bombshell of that magnitude? Is Pochettino willing to drop Pulisic in favor of his more committed teammates?

Signs point to yes. 

"If you arrive to the camp and you want to spend a nice time, play golf, go for a dinner, receive family, receive friends, and that is the culture we want to create? No, no, no," he said.

"We need to change our aim. If we want to be good in one year's time, we need to see that today is the important day."

The USMNT will play Turkey and Switzerland in friendly matches before starting its Gold Cup campaign against Trinidad and Tobago on June 15.

All quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.