Poch defends Pulisic's USMNT Gold Cup absence

United States men's national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino defended the decision not to select Christian Pulisic for the Concacaf Gold Cup, saying that allowing the AC Milan star to rest this summer was more important than building team chemistry ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Pochettino on Thursday announced his 27-player roster for a pair of June friendlies against Turkey and Switzerland, but the list was more notable for who isn't on the roster than who is.

Mainstays Weston McKennie, Timothy Weah, Giovanni Reyna, Antonee Robinson, Yunus Musah and Pulisic were all omitted and will miss the Gold Cup.

Pulisic is taking time off after a grueling season in Europe that saw him log over 3,500 minutes while dealing with multiple nagging ailments, including a chronic hip flexor injury.

"Christian and his team approached the Federation and the coaching staff about the possibility of stepping back this summer, given the amount of matches he has played in the past two years at both the club and international level with very little break," U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker said in a statement.

"After thoughtful discussions and careful consideration, we made the collective decision that this is the right moment for him to get the rest he needs. The objective is to ensure he's fully prepared to perform at the highest level next season."

Pochettino said he backed that decision.

"Many people can say it's really important for us to be all together for the last time before the World Cup," he said in a news conference. "We decided the best for him, the best of the team, the best for the national team is the decision that we made.

"Sometimes we give too much importance knowing to be together and sometimes the group maybe sometimes doesn't work in this way or build in this way ... I think it is important to create this challenge. I really believe that to build a team is about staying together, to have time to work, yes, but I think we cannot underestimate the player."

Robinson is in a similar situation after featuring in 37 matches for Fulham this season, but missing out on the Concacaf Nations League last March. He is being shut down for the summer over injury concerns.

McKennie, Weah and Reyna will be taking part in the Club World Cup, with McKennie and Weah suiting up for Juventus and Reyna with Borussia Dortmund.

Another midfielder, Johnny Cardoso was named to the roster, but could also be occupied by the Club World Cup if his reported transfer to Atlético Madrid goes through. Norwich City forward

Josh Sargent, Joe Scally, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Tanner Tessmann were omitted in what Pochettino called "football decisions."

"I think it's a great opportunity for different players to have the chance to challenge and to try to get a place in one year's time at the World Cup because I think that is really, really important for us," Pochettino added. "I think that is for me the most important thing now we are working for the national team."

Still, while the final Gold Cup roster isn't due until June 4, the absences will likely have a profound effect on the team's preparations for next year's FIFA World Cup. Pochettino has only been in charge since September, and the Gold Cup -- the last set of competitive fixtures prior to the World Cup -- was thought to be critical to establishing chemistry prior to the festivities in 2026.

The significant number of absences will now prevent Pochettino from getting critical days on the training field with some of his core players.

The U.S. will convene in Chicago starting on June 1 to prepare for the friendlies. The U.S. faces Turkey in Hartford, Connecticut, on June 7, with a match in Nashville against Switzerland three days later.

The USMNT opens the Gold Cup group stage against Trinidad & Tobago on June 15, followed by games against Saudi Arabia on June 19 and the group stage finale against Haiti three days later.

There is still a fair amount of experience in the squad, with Charlotte FC defender Tim Ream, AFC Bournemouth midfielder Tyler Adams and Crystal Palace goalkeeper Matt Turner all taking part.

Pochettino will also welcome back PSV Eindhoven right back Sergiño Dest, who is considered one of the key figures in helping the USMNT get back on track following disappointing showings in the Copa América last year and the Concacaf Nations League last March. He missed both competitions as he recovered from a torn ACL.

The aforementioned absences have helped create openings for 12 players with less than five caps, including five uncapped players. Players to watch from the former group includes Charlotte FC forward Patrick Agyemang, Real Salt Lake midfielder Diego Luna, and Vancouver Whitecaps forward Brian White.

Pochettino's roster included Alex Freeman, a son of former NFL All-Pro receiver Antonio Freeman. The 20-year-old right back made his Major League Soccer debut for Orlando in April 2023 -- his only league match that season. He had two MLS appearances last year and has become a regular this season.

Midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, a 24-year-old son of the former coach Gregg Berhalter, also was picked for the first time along with 20-year-old forward Damion Downs and 21-year-old midfielder Quinn Sullivan.

DETAILED ROSTER BY POSITION (Club/Country; Caps/Goals)

GOALKEEPERS (4): Matt Freese (New York City FC; 0/0), Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew; 3/0), Zack Steffen (Colorado Rapids; 30/0), Matt Turner (Crystal Palace/ENG; 51/0)

DEFENDERS (8): Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew; 3/0), Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven/NED; 33/2), Alex Freeman (Orlando City; 0/0), DeJuan Jones (San Jose Earthquakes; 10/0), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse/FRA; 19/0), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC; 68/1), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace/ENG; 24/1), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati; 32/3),

MIDFIELDERS (10): Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United/ENG; 47/8); Tyler Adams (Bournemouth/ENG; 44/2), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps/CAN; 0/0), Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis/ESP; 18/0), Luca de la Torre (San Diego FC; 24/1), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake; 4/0), Jack McGlynn (Houston Dynamo; 4/1), Quinn Sullivan (Philadelphia Union; 0/0); Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven/NED; 17/0), Sean Zawadzki (Columbus Crew; 1/0)

FORWARDS (5): Patrick Agyemang (Charlotte FC; 4/3), Folarin Balogun (Monaco/FRA; 17/5); Damion Downs (FC Köln/GER; 0/0), Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps/CAN; 4/1), Haji Wright (Coventry City/ENG; 15/4)

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.