Competitions

Gold Cup 2021: Why Christian Pulisic isn't playing for USMNT?

By Alexis Almosnino

The United States, who are hosting this summer's CONCACAF Gold Cup, are aiming to win the tournament for the seventh time.

The United States, who are hosting this summer's CONCACAF Gold Cup, are aiming to win the tournament for the seventh time.

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Christian Pulisic will play no part in the United States men’s national team’s 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign, as head coach Greg Berhalter has opted to give the Chelsea forward and other key players some time off.

Pulisic was joined by the likes of Barcelona’s Sergiño Dest, Juventus’ Weston McKennie and Borussia Dortmund’s Giovanni Reyna in being left out of the US’ preliminary 59-man roster for the Gold Cup, which was announced on 18 June.

Pulisic was involved for the US as they won the CONCACAF Nations League earlier in June, scoring an extra-time penalty to earn a 3-2 final victory over Mexico, but Berhalter had warned back in February that two summer tournaments would be too much for the 22-year-old.

Speaking to Extratime, he explained that the player would need to be given the chance to recharge his batteries ahead of the 2021/22 Premier League campaign - with Chelsea’s pre-season preparations due to kick off in July - and the start of the USMNT’s 2022 World Cup qualifying bid in September.

How was his last season?

During the 2020/21 season, his second as a Chelsea player, Pulisic made 43 appearances in all competitions for the Blues, scoring six goals and appearing as a second-half substitute as the West Londoners beat Manchester City 1-0 in May’s UEFA Champions League final.The truth is that he did not stop for a day, and that is why he needs this well-deserved rest off the court.

What boss Gregg Berhalter has said about him?

“One thing I can guarantee you is a guy like Christian Pulisic is not going to be playing Nations League and Gold Cup – it's not going to happen. These guys need a break, so I can imagine them playing one of those tournaments and then getting rest. That's going to be true for a lot of our guys who are going through similar situations right now.”

 


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