Shockwaves Hit USMNT: Why Christian Pulisic’s Sudden Gold Cup Absence Has Everyone Talking

Christian Pulisic, without question the poster boy of American soccer, is poised to miss the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup — and the explanation behind his absence? Well, it’s more than just a blip on the schedule; it’s a telling sign of a much larger strategy at play. As the U.S. gears up for a whirlwind international slate, losing their star winger, especially with other key cogs missing, feels like a gut punch to the team’s momentum. Mauricio Pochettino steps into his first major tourney as head coach, but he’ll have to navigate uncharted waters without Pulisic in the 26-man roster, according to FOX Sports. The coach’s candid admission about having to “get by without players that would normally be with us” paints a picture of a squad stretched thin, starting June 15 against Trinidad and Tobago and trekking through Haiti and Saudi Arabia in what’s shaping up to be a depleted campaign. But why exactly is Pulisic sitting this one out? It’s not just club commitments like some of his teammates; it’s the heavy toll of consecutive marathon seasons in Europe, a load so punishing that it demands preservation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Numbers back it up — nearly 5,000 minutes clocked in Serie A alone over two years, eclipsing his Premier League highs and stacking more wear with Coppa Italia, Champions League, and international duties. On the cusp of a career milestone in playing time, the sensible move? Let the 26-year-old icon catch his breath this summer. LEARN MORE.

Christian Pulisic, face of American soccer, is reportedly out of the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup—and the reason, now revealed, sheds light on a bigger picture that extends far beyond the summer tournament. As fans gear up for a packed international calendar, the absence of the U.S. men’s national team’s leading man comes as a shock, especially with several other key players also unavailable.

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who is preparing to lead the United States into his first major tournament since taking the reins, will be without his marquee name. Pulisic, who has been central to the USMNT’s ambitions for nearly a decade, will not appear on the 26-man roster for the Gold Cup, according to reports from FOX Sports.

“It’s a situation that forces a team like the U.S. to get by without players that would normally be with us,” Pochettino admitted to reporters ahead of the roster announcement.

The Stars and Stripes will open the 2025 Gold Cup on June 15 against Trinidad and Tobago, followed by matches against Haiti and guest nation Saudi Arabia. But they will do so with a significantly depleted squad.

The reason behind Pulisic’s likely absence

While several USMNT stars—Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, and Gio Reyna—will miss the tournament due to their clubs’ involvement in the FIFA Club World Cup, Pulisic’s exclusion is for a different reason.

“Pulisic is beaten up physically following two back-to-back marathon European seasons and international games,” FOX Sports’ Doug McIntyre reports. “The decision was also made with his health at the all-important 2026 FIFA World Cup in mind.”

The numbers tell the story. Over 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 during his most active Premier League season at Chelsea. Add to that his appearances in Coppa Italia, Champions League, and international matches, and the workload becomes clearer.

On the verge of setting a career-high in minutes played, the Americans tar could top the 5,000-minute mark if he features in the Rossoneri’s final Serie A match this weekend against Monza. With his body worn down, the decision was made to rest him through the summer.