Christian Pulisic’s USMNT Return in Doubt After Gold Cup Snub

Christian Pulisic shocked many U.S. fans when he chose rest over representation at the recent CONCACAF Gold Cup. While the United States men’s national team fought its way to the final before falling to Mexico, the AC Milan forward was recharging in Italy, prioritizing club form and contract talks at San Siro. His decision has now sparked an intense debate about whether head coach Mauricio Pochettino should recall him for the September friendlies against South Korea and Japan—or make an example of even the program’s brightest star.

Christian Pulisic and the Gold Cup Fallout

At 26, Pulisic is enjoying arguably the finest season of his European career. Double-digit goals in Serie A silenced early doubters and endeared him to Rossoneri supporters. However, when the Gold Cup squad was announced, “Captain America” declined the invitation, citing the need for a mental and physical reset after a grueling debut campaign in Milan. His absence didn’t go unnoticed. U.S. Soccer hoped to build momentum toward the 2026 World Cup by fielding its strongest XI, yet its most marketable name chose a beach chair over the Stars and Stripes.

That choice has led some observers to question the pecking order within the USMNT roster. Is international duty a privilege only when convenient, or a non-negotiable responsibility for senior leaders? Former U.S. defender Alexi Lalas weighed in on his State of the Union podcast, making it clear that Pochettino possesses enough clout to drop anyone, even Christian Pulisic, if he feels standards have slipped.

Lalas: ‘No Player Is Untouchable’

Lalas’ most pointed remark concerned accountability. “It would not surprise me in the least if Pochettino lays down the law by leaving out multiple players,” he said. “If Christian Pulisic is the example, so be it. You can’t manage scared.” His stance resonated with a segment of supporters who believe the badge should always outrank the individual, no matter how many shirts that individual sells.

Yet Lalas also acknowledged the tactical reality: “At some point you want the best players together. Even if it’s a friendly, you want to see the chemistry, iron out issues, and plan for 2026.” In other words, punishing star talent may make headlines, but prolonged exclusion risks harming cohesion when competitive matches return.

Primary Focus on Fitness and Form

From Pulisic’s side, the justification was straightforward. The winger has battled muscular niggles and heavy fixture lists for years—first at Borussia Dortmund, then Chelsea, and now Milan. By skipping the summer tournament, he hopes to extend his peak years and convince AC Milan to hand him an improved long-term deal. Club sources in Italy insist the plan is working: his preseason metrics, according to Gazzetta dello Sport, rank among the best in Stefano Pioli’s squad.

Still, critics warn that excessive focus on club football could blunt his leadership role with the national team. The USMNT roster needs a confident, fully integrated Christian Pulisic to spearhead attacks and mentor younger forwards such as Ricardo Pepi and Folarin Balogun. Extended absences risk creating a vacuum in a locker room already transitioning after veterans Tim Ream and DeAndre Yedlin aged out of regular contention.

Pochettino’s Balancing Act

Although new to the U.S. job, Pochettino understands star dynamics from his stints at Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea. Sources close to the Argentine suggest he leans toward recalling his best winger. The September friendlies provide low-pressure minutes to reintegrate Christian Pulisic and defuse media narratives before World Cup qualifying ramps up in 2025. However, the staff also wants clear commitment. If Pulisic asks for another break, the coaches may pivot to a strict “club breaks, we break ties” policy.

What Happens If Pulisic Sits Again?

Should the American talisman skip September, October and November windows remain. Those camps will be vital for installing tactical principles, experimenting with a left-side triangle of Pulisic, Antonee Robinson, and the emerging Yunus Musah. Miss all three, and he would enter 2024 with less than 180 minutes of international action over 12 months—a risky situation for a team desperate to peak on home soil in 2026.

Commercial factors add another wrinkle. U.S. Soccer sells tickets, TV rights, and kit sponsorships off the back of their most recognizable face. Friendly opponents negotiate appearance fees expecting Christian Pulisic on the marquee. While sporting departments preach meritocracy, marketing teams quietly lobby for star power.

Stat Check: Does Rest Really Help?

Historical data offers mixed evidence. Lionel Messi’s 2016 sabbatical lasted mere weeks before Argentina begged him to return. Luka Modrić regularly sits Nations League matches yet never misses crucial qualifiers. For Pulisic, a summer off could mirror Mohamed Salah’s 2022 rest that preceded a Golden Boot run. Conversely, rhythm matters: players often cite international minutes as key to maintaining sharpness during club off-weeks.

Alexi Lalas vs. Christian Pulisic: Two Visions for 2026

Ultimately, the dispute boils down to how the United States wants to prepare for a once-in-a-lifetime home World Cup. Lalas favors a hard-line stance: commit fully now or risk missing out later. Pulisic argues modern workloads demand smarter scheduling to avoid burnout. Both viewpoints carry weight. The trick for Pochettino is synthesizing them into a policy that protects player welfare without diluting national-team culture.

Possible Scenarios

• Pulisic Returns in September: Media storm ends, and the USMNT roster gains immediate quality. Conditioning staff monitors minutes to ensure freshness for Milan’s fall fixtures.
• Pulisic Recalled but Declines: Pochettino drops him publicly, signaling zero tolerance. Younger wings such as Paxten Aaronson and Kevin Paredes get auditions.
• Compromise Plan: Limited minutes in one friendly plus leadership workshops off the pitch. Keeps both sides satisfied while allowing continued recovery.

Club Implications for AC Milan

Pioli has already built preseason schemes around the American’s dynamism. A rested Christian Pulisic could thrive in a 4-2-3-1, drifting inside to combine with Rafael Leão. Milan will face Arsenal in a high-profile July friendly, offering another stage for the Pennsylvanian to justify his controversial vacation. Strong performances would validate his Gold Cup decision and pressure U.S. supporters to view the bigger picture.

Financial Stakes

With three seasons remaining on his current deal, Pulisic and Milan may open renewal talks this winter. A successful Serie A campaign could push his valuation toward €60 million, while a World Cup starring role could inflate it further. Though club and country goals sometimes conflict, both sides ultimately benefit from a fit, firing Christian Pulisic.

Final Word

Opinion: Alexi Lalas is right to demand commitment, but star players also deserve load management in an era of congested calendars. The smart play is for Pochettino to call up Pulisic, lay out clear expectations, and trust the forward’s professionalism. Anything else risks turning a manageable scheduling dispute into an unnecessary culture war—something a maturing USMNT can ill afford on the road to 2026.