Christian Pulisic got here underneath heavy criticism after his choice to skip the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup. Nevertheless, that’s now behind him, and through this September worldwide break, head coach Mauricio Pochettino has introduced him again into the USMNT squad—making it clear he sees him as a key piece heading into the FIFA World Cup 2026.
This Saturday, the United States will play the primary of two friendlies scheduled for this month. The match shall be towards South Korea at Sports activities Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey. Then on Tuesday, they’ll face Japan at Decrease.com Subject in Columbus, Ohio.
Forward of those matches, Pochettino addressed Pulisic’s return, making it clear that any points between them earlier this yr at the moment are resolved. “For me, it’s previously,” the coach instructed CBS Sports activities. “All of us made a mistake in a while, as a result of we learn the state of affairs differently. Crucial is that if you end up clever individuals, if we wish to transfer on and do the proper issues — I wish to be clever.”
Turning the web page on the earlier controversy, Pochettino opened up in regards to the function he envisions for Pulisic on the sector. “You want these kinds of abilities, gifted gamers that may do various things from respecting the group,” he defined.
Pulisic final appeared for the USMNT in March.
“Having the likelihood to additionally create the chaos within the opponent as a result of he’s creating the chaos within the different crew, however with group. I don’t know if I can clarify, however I strive,” Mauricio added, signaling his intention to offer Pulisic the artistic freedom to make an affect with the ball at his toes—inside a system constructed on outlined and disciplined roles. “That’s the factor that I hate, being predictable.”
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When did Pulisic final play for the USMNT?
Christian Pulisic’s absence from the 2025 Gold Cup additionally included Mauricio Pochettino’s choice to go away him out of the June worldwide friendlies towards Turkey and Switzerland, regardless of the AC Milan ahead expressing his need to be included.
In consequence, it’s been practically six months since Pulisic final wore the U.S. shirt. His most up-to-date look got here throughout the March worldwide break, when the USMNT confronted Panama and Canada.
Christian began each matches. The primary was a 1–0 loss to Panama within the Concacaf Nations League semifinals, the place he performed the complete 90 minutes. Two days later, he was once more within the beginning lineup for the third-place match towards Canada, the place he captained the crew and was subbed off within the 69th minute.
