Christian Pulisic Omitted from USMNT Squad as Pochettino Signals Disciplinary Shift

Christian Pulisic, widely regarded as the face of the United States men’s national team this decade, will not be selected in Mauricio Pochettino’s squad for the upcoming international break, according to Doug McIntyre.

Pulisic has endured a strained relationship with the national team, and Pochettino notably used strong language earlier this week when addressing the player’s choice to skip the 2025 Gold Cup in favor of preparing for the World Cup.

Pulisic was diagnosed with a microfracture after being substituted during the USMNT’s final World Cup match, a disappointing defeat to Belgium. He missed several early-season fixtures for AC Milan, with manager Ruben Amorim expressing visible frustration, before returning to impressive form at the weekend.

The USMNT will face Chile, Peru, Canada, and Mexico in friendlies between September 26 and October 6.

What’s next for Christian Pulisic and the USMNT?

Pulisic remains a future asset for the national team, but this omission appears to have been brewing for some time and likely extends beyond World Cup considerations.

Pochettino emphasized early in his tenure that players must not treat international duty as a leisure opportunity, urging greater commitment to the squad.

While the former Spurs manager would never have excluded Pulisic from a World Cup preparation roster, it would be surprising if he did not reserve such a sanction for future use should the relationship fail to improve—particularly given that Pulisic was not named captain at the tournament.

The departure of Gregg Berhalter likely created a cultural shift; players who grew under his leadership may have felt empowered after essentially orchestrating his rehiring following the turbulence of the post-2022 World Cup period.

With reports indicating that Thursday’s squad will feature numerous young prospects for the first time, Pochettino is reinforcing that no player—Pulisic included—stands above or below anyone else in the program.

The situation draws parallels to Landon Donovan’s retreat to Cambodia under Jurgen Klinsmann, a break Klinsmann later cited as contributing to Donovan’s omission from the 2014 World Cup squad. While Donovan subsequently revealed severe mental health struggles, the episode serves as a reminder that players may have motivations beyond the visible.

Regardless, Pulisic turns 28 on Friday and remains indispensable at one of Europe’s elite clubs. With 90 caps, 33 goals, and 23 assists for the USMNT, he continues to be a decisive force in CONCACAF.

The next generation is approaching, and the USMNT have previously thrived without Pulisic. Talents such as Malik Tillman, Brenden Aaronson, and Gio Reyna are poised to step forward, ensuring the program’s depth remains formidable even in his absence.

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