NEW YORK (AP) — Christian Pulisic is one of several key players set to sit out as the United States competes in next month’s CONCACAF Gold Cup, adding further strain to a squad fresh off disappointing showings at both the Copa America and CONCACAF Nations League.
Considering the gaps, manager Mauricio Pochettino seeks athletes who can reassure anxious supporters that a resurgence is imminent.
It’s our duty to convey this message to them,” he stated during a Zoom press briefing on Thursday following the announcement of his 27-player squad. “Our supporters should witness our team putting up a fight, competing, and delivering strong performances consistently. They must show aggression throughout each game as they battle for their country.
Pulisic, the leading U.S. player, requested not to be included in the squad for the final qualifying matches ahead of the 2026 World Cup. This decision was made so he could recuperate after appearing in approximately 120 fixtures for both his club and national team across two campaigns.
Yunus Musah also received inquiries about his availability, but Antonee Robinson was left off the team due to an ongoing injury. Additionally, Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, and Gio Reyna were unavailable as FIFA prioritized the expanded Club World Cup over international duties for these players.
Josh Sargent, Joe Scally, Cameron Carter-Vickers, and Tanner Tessman were left out due to what Pochettino referred to as “decisions made for footballing reasons.”
Matt Crocker, the U.S. Soccer Federation sporting director, stated that both Pulisic and those guiding him requested the option to exclude himself from consideration due to the extensive number of matches he has participated in over the past two years.
numerous individuals might emphasize how crucial it is for everyone to unite one final time before the World Cup,” Pochettino stated. “We concluded that our choice serves the best interests of both the player, the squad, and the national team.
After the team’s early exit from the Copa America last summer, Pochettino took over from Gregg Berhalter. Following the conclusion of the Gold Cup, he will face only four short training periods during FIFA international dates before players head into World Cup preparations.
During their initial major challenge since Pochettino took over, the American players suffered defeat.
Panama
and
Canada
In the Nations League in March, Pochettino didn’t mention any player’s lack of diligence but stated, “We gained significant insights from our previous training sessions, certainly those held in March, and now it’s about possibly adopting a fresh strategy towards these chances.”
Out of all the selected players, sixteen come from Major League Soccer, which is the highest number for a FIFA transfer period since the United States fielded a secondary squad for the 2023 Gold Cup.
“If you come to the camp with the intention of having a great time, playing golf, going out for dinner, visiting my family, or meeting my friends, is this the kind of environment we aim to foster?” Pochettino questioned loudly. “No, no, no, no, no. Our objective should be joining the national team, arriving there fully concentrated, and dedicating all our attention and effort to the national squad. To excel within a year’s timeframe, we must consider every single day as crucial,” he emphasized.
Sergiño Dest comes back to the national team as an outside defender for the first time since March 2024 following his recovery.
torn ACL
Forward Folarin Balogun has rejoined the squad for the first time since last September after recovering from shoulder surgery.
In Pochettino’s squad was Alex Freeman, whose father is the ex-NFL All-Pro wide receiver Antonio Freeman. This 20-year-old right-back played his first Major League Soccer game for Orlando in April 2023—his sole league appearance that year. Last season, he featured in two MLS matches and has since established himself as a consistent player this term.
Sebastian Berhalter, a 24-year-old midfielder and the son of
the former coach
Additionally, they were selected for the first time alongside 20-year-old forward Damion Downs and 21-year-old defender Quinn Sullivan.
Downs has represented both German and American youth squads, and he contributed to Cologne securing their return to the Bundesliga for the 2025-26 season following a one-year hiatus.
Matt Freese, who has participated in national team camps before without playing in an official match, was also chosen for selection.
The players are scheduled to begin arriving for practice sessions in Chicago starting June 1st, with the final 26-member Gold Cup squad list required by June 4th. The United States team is set to face Turkey on June 7th in East Hartford, Connecticut, followed by a match against Switzerland three days after that in Nashville, Tennessee. They will also compete against Trinidad and Tobago, Saudi Arabia, and Haiti during the initial phase of the Gold Cup tournament.
The roster:
Goalkeepers: Matt Freese (New York City), Patrick Schulte (Columbus), Zack Steffen (Colorado), Matt Turner ( Crystal Palace)
Protecting Players: Max Arfsten (Columbus), Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven), Alex Freeman (Orlando), DeJuan Jones (San Jose), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse), Tim Ream (Charlotte), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Miles Robinson (Cincinnati)
Midfielders: Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United), Tyler Adams (Bournemouth), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps), Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis), Luca de la Torre (San Diego Loyal SC), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake), Jack McGlynn (Houston Dynamo), Quinn Sullivan (Philadelphia Union), Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven), Sean Zawadzki (Columbus Crew)
Forward: Patrick Agyemang (Charlotte), Folarin Balogun (Monaco). Damion Downs (Cologne), Brian White (Vancouver), Haji Wright (Coventry)
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AP soccer:
https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Ronald Blum, The Associated Press
