Christian Pulisic has publicly addressed his decision to skip the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025, pushing back against criticism he feels has unfairly targeted his commitment to the U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT). In an interview released on Thursday with former USMNT players on a CBS Sports podcast, Pulisic explained the reasoning behind his decision and expressed his disappointment at the negative reactions.
Pulisic stated that his decision was driven by the need for rest and recovery after a physically demanding season with AC Milan, where he played in 50 matches, his most in a single season to date. He emphasized that he needed to prioritize his long-term health and fitness, especially with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, which will be hosted in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. According to sporting director Matt Crocker, the 26-year-old has accumulated over 3,500 minutes across club and international competitions over the past two years, leaving him with little time for recovery.
"Towards the end of the season, my body just started talking to me, and my mind," Pulisic said. "I started to think, 'What is going to be best for me leading into next year and going into the World Cup?' Was that to play eight more games and then get no rest at all, go straight into preseason [with Milan], and then grind another year and go straight into the World Cup? That's not what I felt was best for my body."
Adding another layer to the situation, Pulisic revealed that he had offered to participate in the USMNT's pre-Gold Cup friendlies against Turkey and Switzerland. However, his request was turned down by USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino, who wanted to work with a consistent roster leading up to the tournament. "I did want to be a part of at least the two friendlies," Pulisic explained. "I did speak with the coaches, and I asked, and I wanted to be a part of the team in whatever capacity I could. And they said no. They said they only wanted one roster. I fully respect that. I didn't understand it, but it is what it is."
The USMNT suffered defeats in both of those friendlies, losing 2-1 to Turkey and 4-0 to Switzerland, which only intensified the criticism surrounding Pulisic's absence and the overall state of the team. Pulisic admitted that it was difficult to watch the games from home.
Pulisic directly addressed the criticism of his commitment, stating, "To question my commitment, especially towards the national team, in my opinion, that's way out of line. I've never missed a game in all my years in the national team due to anything but an injury. I want to be there at all times. Sometimes you have to make decisions. This is the right decision, like I said, for myself and for the team. At the end of the day, people will see that." He also rejected the narrative that players don't care about representing their country, calling it a "lazy take."
Pulisic's decision to prioritize rest highlights the growing demands on modern footballers, who often face grueling schedules with little time for recovery. His explanation aims to provide context to his choice and counter what he perceives as unfair criticism of his dedication to the USMNT. The USMNT is set to begin their Gold Cup campaign against Trinidad and Tobago this Sunday.
