USMNT star Christian Pulisic reportedly out for 2025 Gold Cup due to fitness concerns

U.S. men's national team star Christian Pulisic will not be included in Mauricio Pochettino's 2025 Gold Cup squad due to concerns about his overall fitness, according to FOX Sports.

The decision was made due to the extensive playing time the American accumulated over two breakout campaigns with AC Milan and with an eye toward keeping the standout winger fresh ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

In the past two seasons, Pulisic has logged 4,995 minutes in Serie A, not including games in the Coppa Italia, Champions League and with the USWNT. By comparison, the most he logged in a season during his time at Chelsea in the Premier League is 1,738 during the 2020-21 season.

Pulisic has participated in the Gold Cup just once, playing back in 2019.

Meanwhile, Diego Luna will be part of the USMNT squad, sources confirmed Wednesday to GOAL. The Real Salt Lake star proved himself to Pochettino in each of the last two USMNT gatherings.

The midfielder initially made an impression on Pochettino in January, when he provided an assist against Costa Rica just moments after suffering a broken nose. In March, Luna was called in to the USMNT's CONCACAF Nations League squad and was given a start in the third-place game against Canada, and he responded by assisting Patrick Agyemang in the eventual 2-1 defeat.

Luna's good form with the USMNT has carried over to RSL, where he's netted seven goals in his first 13 appearances this season while also setting up two further goals.

Pulisic's absence means the USMNT will be without four of its leading players, as Weston McKennie and Tim Weah are out due to Juventus' involvement in the Club World Cup. Gio Reyna is on Dortmund's roster for that tournament despite having an uncertain future with the club.

In terms of Luna, his creativity will be crucial for a team shorthanded heading towards the Gold Cup. The Athletic also reported that Pulisic's Milan teammate Yunus Musah will also be left out.

While the key absences do leave the U.S. without many of its top stars, it also opens the door for players such as Luna to continue their own push towards that status ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Although the U.S. are missing key players, they could be boosted by the return of Folarin Balogun, who hasn't played under Pochettino. Another player to watch is Johnny Cardoso, who has had a breakout season for Real Betis.

Pochettino is expected to announce the roster for both the U.S. friendlies and Gold Cup squad this week. The U.S. have pre-Gold Cup friendlies against Turkey (June 7) and Switzerland (June 10). They kick off the Gold Cup on June 15 against Trinidad and Tobago.