United States men’s national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino has laid a firm stance on player discipline and availability, insisting that players cannot choose when to represent the country.
This comes after AC Milan forward Christian Pulisic was left out of the US squad for upcoming friendlies against Turkey and Switzerland, despite offering to play in those matches but requesting to be rested for the Gold Cup.
Pochettino, speaking on Saturday, made it clear that the decision to exclude the 26-year-old was based on principle.
“Players do not need to understand or not understand,” the Argentine tactician said. “Players need to listen and stick with our plan. They cannot dictate the plan.”
Pulisic, who has featured in 114 games for club and country since joining Milan from Chelsea in July 2023, had expressed confusion over the coach’s decision.
In a CBS Sports interview on Thursday, he said, “I respected the decision, but I didn’t understand it,” adding that criticism from former U.S. stars like Landon Donovan and Alexi Lalas regarding his commitment was “way out of line.”
Pochettino dismissed such sentiments, reiterating the coach’s authority in team matters: “The most important thing is that we explained why we decided not to include him in the two friendly games.
“If he has a problem with understanding that, that is not my problem. I am the head coach, not a mannequin.”
The fallout comes at a turbulent time for the USMNT, who are now on a four-match losing streak after falling 2-1 to Turkey and suffering a heavy 4-0 defeat to Switzerland.
The poor run adds pressure ahead of their Gold Cup opener against Trinidad and Tobago in San Jose on Sunday.
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