Pochettino Drops Pulisic From 28-Man USMNT Camp as 16-Year-Old Sullivan Leads Fresh Start
Updated
Updated · Yahoo Sports · Sep 17
Pochettino Drops Pulisic From 28-Man USMNT Camp as 16-Year-Old Sullivan Leads Fresh Start
3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Sep 17
Summary
Christian Pulisic was left out of Mauricio Pochettino’s 28-man U.S. squad for a 16-day camp and four friendlies, with the coach framing the decision as part of a full reset after the World Cup.
Pochettino repeatedly called the new cycle a “fresh start,” signaling that Pulisic’s 90 caps and 33 goals will not guarantee selection and that his 90 total minutes in two AC Milan matches are not enough.
The camp opens Monday and gives Pochettino a longer four-match FIFA window to test new wide options including Mathis Albert, Zavier Gozo and Cole Campbell before Nations League quarterfinals in November.
Cavan Sullivan, still 16 and turning 17 later this month, is the youngest player in camp and fits a broader push to accelerate prospects who could also feed the U.S. effort for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Yunus Musah returned after reviving his role at Milan, underscoring Pochettino’s message that places are open in the new cycle even as regular Europe-based players such as Johnny Cardoso and Tanner Tessmann stayed out.