Mauricio Pochettino Omitted Christian Pulisic From Roster
The USMNT manager left the squad's top scorer off the roster for the upcoming international camp.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Soccer
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Mauricio Pochettino has excluded Christian Pulisic from the 28-player U.S. Men's National Team roster for the September-October international window. Pulisic, the team's most-capped active player with 90 appearances, was notably left off the squad.
Why it matters
Pochettino stated that past performance holds no value for current selection, prioritizing form over historical status. The move signals a shift in the team's approach as it prepares for future international fixtures.
Pulisic, the USMNT all-time leader with 33 goals, was omitted from the 28-player camp despite his active career record of 90 caps. The decision comes shortly after he ended a 21-game scoring drought for AC Milan.
The players
Mauricio Pochettino
He serves as the manager of the U.S. Men's National Team and is responsible for all player selections and tactical strategies.
Christian Pulisic
He is the all-time leading goalscorer for the U.S. Men's National Team and a forward for the Italian club AC Milan.
The details
Pulisic scored his first goal of the season in a 3-0 victory over Lecce, tracking a ball from Strahinja Pavlovic before netting a shot on the right flank. Despite earning Player of the Match honors in that contest, he will remain sidelined from the upcoming national team matches.
Timeline
September 20, 2026: Pulisic scored against Lecce in a 3-0 victory.
September 21, 2026: News of the roster omission was finalized and published.
Season Trajectory
This roster decision represents a significant pivot for the USMNT as it navigates the post-tournament period following the 2026 World Cup. By excluding the team's primary offensive producer, the manager is signaling a competitive evaluation phase that could reshape the squad for years to come.
Pulisic will not participate in the upcoming international matches, impacting fantasy soccer rosters that rely on his national team performance. His absence also leaves a vacancy for other forwards to claim playing time and record goals during the camp.
The takeaway
The decision to leave off the program's most decorated active player emphasizes that even established stars must maintain consistent form to secure a roster spot. Fans and players should anticipate further changes to the squad structure as the manager continues to prioritize current performance.
Further reading
For more information on national team selections, visit our Soccer section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Idaho Statesman.
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