Christian Pulisic, face of American soccer, is reportedly out of the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup—and the rationale, now revealed, sheds mild on an even bigger image that extends far past the summer season match. As followers gear up for a packed worldwide calendar, the absence of the U.S. males’s nationwide group’s main man comes as a shock, particularly with a number of different key gamers additionally unavailable.
Head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who’s getting ready to guide the US into his first main match since taking the reins, will probably be with out his marquee title. Pulisic, who has been central to the USMNT’s ambitions for almost a decade, won’t seem on the 26-man roster for the Gold Cup, in accordance with experiences from FOX Sports activities.
“It’s a scenario that forces a group just like the U.S. to get by with out gamers that will usually be with us,” Pochettino admitted to reporters forward of the roster announcement.
The Stars and Stripes will open the 2025 Gold Cup on June 15 towards Trinidad and Tobago, adopted by matches towards Haiti and visitor nation Saudi Arabia. However they are going to accomplish that with a considerably depleted squad.
The rationale behind Pulisic’s possible absence
Whereas a number of USMNT stars—Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, and Gio Reyna—will miss the match attributable to their golf equipment’ involvement within the FIFA Membership World Cup, Pulisic’s exclusion is for a unique cause.
“Pulisic is overwhelmed up bodily following two back-to-back marathon European seasons and worldwide video games,” FOX Sports activities’ Doug McIntyre experiences. “The choice was additionally made together with his well being on the all-important 2026 FIFA World Cup in thoughts.”

The numbers inform the story. During the last two seasons with Milan, the 26-year-old winger has logged 4,995 minutes in Serie A alone, far surpassing the 1,738 minutes he managed throughout his most lively Premier League season at Chelsea. Add to that his appearances in Coppa Italia, Champions League, and worldwide matches, and the workload turns into clearer.
On the verge of setting a career-high in minutes performed, the People tar might high the 5,000-minute mark if he options within the Rossoneri’s last Serie A match this weekend towards Monza. Along with his physique worn down, the choice was made to relaxation him by the summer season.