Overview

• Pulisic decided to sit out the Gold Cup following back-to-back seasons with over 50 appearances for AC Milan to safeguard his recovery.
• He proposed playing in the two lead-up friendlies, but US coach Mauricio Pochettino insisted on a single roster covering both those matches and the tournament.
• Former US internationals Landon Donovan and Tim Howard publicly criticized his withdrawal, prompting Pulisic to label attacks on his commitment 'way out of line.'
• His father Mark Pulisic responded on social media by pointing out Donovan’s own extended sabbatical from national team duty.
• The USMNT has lost 2-1 to Turkey and 4-0 to Switzerland this summer without Pulisic and other key players.