USA vs. Mexico: Why Christian Pulisic And Different Stars Aren’t At The Gold Cup

The USA males’s nationwide staff will face their historic rivals Mexico within the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup ultimate on Sunday, they usually’ll do it with out a few of their largest and brightest stars.

In contrast to Mexico, who got here into this match at near-full-strength, the U.S. is lacking a number of key gamers, together with “Captain America” himself, Christian Pulisic. However why will the U.S. be so shorthanded for the ultimate?

This is a breakdown of why a few of the largest names within the U.S. participant pool aren’t on the Gold Cup:

Relaxation for Pulisic

Christian Pulisic is not with the U.S. after deciding to take a seat out of the Gold Cup following two grueling seasons in Europe with AC Milan. The 26-year-old attacker instructed CBS Sports activities that he provided to play the 2 friendlies versus Turkiye and Switzerland earlier than the match began, however coach Mauricio Pochettino turned him down.

“That’s the coach’s determination,” Pulisic stated. “I totally respect that. I did not perceive it, however it’s what it’s.”

Mauricio Pochettino is with out notable gamers equivalent to Christian Pulisic on the Gold Cup. (Picture by Shaun Clark/ISI Pictures/USSF/Getty Pictures for USSF)

Throughout a pregame press convention earlier within the match, FOX Sports activities’ Doug McIntyre requested Pochettino about Pulisic’s feedback, and the previous Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur supervisor didn’t maintain again.

“Gamers don’t want to know,” Pochettino stated. “Gamers must pay attention and to stay with our plan. They can not dictate the plan.

“He defined why he solely wished to be concerned in two video games and never the Gold Cup, and I respect that,” added Pochettino. “I perceive him. However I do want that he understands our determination.

“Once I signed my contract with the [U.S. Soccer] Federation, I’m the pinnacle coach. I’m not a model.”

Membership World Cup commitments

Weston McKennie is one in all a handful of U.S. gamers on the Membership World Cup. (Picture by Robin Alam/ISI Pictures/ISI Pictures through Getty Pictures)

Whereas the perfect worldwide squads in Concacaf are competing within the Gold Cup, the highest golf equipment on this planet are taking part in within the 2025 FIFA Membership World Cup, together with Borussia Dortmund, the place Gio Reyna is underneath contract, and Juventus, the place Weston McKennie and Tim Weah each play.

McKennie appeared in all 4 of Juventus’ Membership World Cup matches earlier than they had been eradicated by Actual Madrid within the Spherical of 16. Weah additionally featured for Juventus throughout the match, however just for a single half. He is been linked with a transfer away from Juventus, however just lately turned down a transfer to Premier League membership Nottingham Forest.

Reyna has been essentially the most sparsely-used American on the Membership World Cup, taking part in simply 12 minutes in the whole match. Dortmund will play Actual Madrid within the semifinals on Saturday.

The injured crew

The USA’ beginning fullbacks on the 2022 FIFA World Cup had been each left off of the Gold Cup roster because of accidents.

Sergiño Dest, who final appeared for the U.S. in March 2024 because of a torn ACL, was dropped from Pochettino’s Gold Cup roster in order that he might proceed his restoration within the Netherlands with PSV Eindhoven. He was changed by Holstein Kiel’s John Tolkin on the U.S. roster.

Antonee “Jedi” Robinson had an impressive season within the Premier League with Fulham, however had it minimize brief after present process minor surgical procedure to his proper knee. He is anticipated to be obtainable for the beginning of the 2025-26 Premier League marketing campaign, which kicks off on August 15.

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