Christian Pulisic has responded to the criticism surrounding his absence from the USMNT's June friendlies and the upcoming CONCACAF Gold Cup, stating that some of the commentary has been "out of line." The USMNT captain's decision to rest during this period, following a demanding club season with AC Milan, has sparked debate among fans and former players alike.
Pulisic, who played in 50 matches for AC Milan across all competitions, the most in a single season of his career, explained that his choice was made with a view toward his long-term fitness and preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. He emphasized that his body began to feel the strain towards the end of the season, leading him to prioritize rest and recovery. "It sucks for me to miss out with the team. I want to be a part of the team always. But to be honest, towards the second half and the end of the season, my body just started talking to me," Pulisic said. "I started to think, you know, what's going to be best for me leading into next year and going into the World Cup. Is that to play eight more games, get no rest at all, go straight into preseason and then grind another year, and go straight into the World Cup? That's not what I felt was best for my body."
Despite the agreement with U.S. Soccer to preserve Pulisic for the long term, his absence drew criticism, most notably from USMNT legend Landon Donovan. Donovan questioned Pulisic's commitment, contrasting it with Cristiano Ronaldo's dedication to representing Portugal at the age of 40. These comments appear to have particularly struck a nerve with Pulisic, who addressed them directly in a recent interview. "You can talk about my performances, whatever you want," Pulisic stated. "But to question my commitment, especially towards the national team, in my opinion, that's way out of line."
Adding another layer to the situation, Pulisic revealed that he had offered to participate in at least the two friendly matches leading up to the Gold Cup. "I did want to be part of at least the two friendlies," Pulisic said. "I reached out to the coaches and offered but they said no, they only wanted one roster. I respect it, I didn't understand it, but it is what it is. I had to make the best decision for myself, and for my team.”
Pulisic also acknowledged the difficulty of hearing criticism from former players, some of whom he admired growing up. He noted a contrast between private conversations and public statements, saying, "It's tough especially when privately the way they talk to me and want to show support and be your friend and everything, and then it goes and they say something slightly different publicly."
Despite the controversy, Pulisic remains confident in his decision and focused on the future. "I don't regret my decision," Pulisic said. "I feel this is what I needed right now and honestly I feel really good." He also conveyed that he is eager to get back to training and is motivated for the upcoming season and the World Cup. "You guys will see,” he said late in the interview. “I’m hungrier than ever, truly. I’m looking forward to big things to come.”
As the USMNT prepares for the Gold Cup, coach Mauricio Pochettino will have to rely on other players to step up in Pulisic's absence. The team is under pressure to perform well, especially after recent defeats in friendly matches against Turkey and Switzerland.
